The Greyhound is on the Train

The epic story of the rescue of IRA man of the Tipperary 3rd Battalion man Sean Hogan in 1919. Sean Hogan along with Dan Breen, Seamus Robinson and Sean Treacy were known as the Big Four and highly active in the Irish War of Independence. This story tells of how they rescued Hogan from the RIC while in transit to Cork after his arrest for taking part in the Soloheadbeg ambush which left two RIC men dead and is widely acknowledged as the event that triggered the War of Independence.This daring rescue took place in Knocklong Station situated in Co. Limerick close to the Tipperary border.

The Rescue of Sean Hogan at The Station of Knocklong

The King of All Birds

A few songs and stories about the ancient custom of hunting the wren after midwinter, echoes of which still exist today around the country.Songs include: The Wren Song (Altar Co Cork) and When We Hunted The Wren In Tipperary written by George Denny of Ballypatrick. Take a look at my Kickstarter campaign to get my book Lost Songs of Tipperary printed https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/billthebard/lost-songs-of-tipperary

Hunting The Wren

Are you a witch, or are you a fairy? Or are you the wife of Michael Cleary

Discussing the awful murder of Bridget Cleary known as the last woman burned as a with in Ireland in 1895. Told alongside court records, newspaper articles, songs and poems written around the time. Including the ballad The Witchcraft Murder, a woman roasted alive in Country Tipperary composed by Bridget Healy recorded for the first time.

The Burning of Bridget Cleary

Up Kneecap, Saoirse don Palestine.

A brief overview of the historical persecution of Irish artists, singers, balladeers and song writers by the British state and it's crown forces. In recent news the Irish rap group Kneecap have been grabbing headlines and social media discussions for their unapologetic and unrelenting support for the people of Palestine as well as holding governments around the world to account for their funding and political support for the ongoing genocide we are seeing unfold day after day in Gaza.To those with an interest in Irish history this is not a new occurrence but a British tradition in this country that goes back to the early 1700s where under the apartheid system of Penal Laws enforced upon us, the Irish saw countless numbers of their singers and song writers heavily persecuted facing imprisonment, exile or the gallows for speaking out against injustices. Free Palestine.

The Historic Persecution of Irish Artists by the British State

One day in April 1903 a young trader named John Flanagan arrived in Clones town with eggs to sell and to pay a debt to the local butcher John Fee. After following Fee to his slaughterhouse he was not seen again until 8 months later his body was found buried in a dung pile. These are the ballads of the murder of John Flanagan from Clones Co Monaghan.

Fee and Flanagan - The Clones Murder Ballad

This episode we talk a little about folklore and songs about old Irish courting and marriage rituals and beliefs.Songs:McBreen's HeiferTipperary Mans CourtshipI Wish They'd Do It NowMy Own Irish Rose

Irish Courting Customs

The 1867 uprising was another failed uprising across Ireland organised by the Irish Republican Brotherhood. These few songs are about men who fell during the uprising including Peter O'Neill Crowley and a young lad by the name of Ned Kelly from Kilcash in Co. Tipperary. Both borrowed the air from Charles Kickam's Poor Blind Patrick Sheehan, based on an older Celtic air to which many laments for fallen rebels were written. Songs include:Poor Blind Patrick Sheehan - Charles KickhamThe Ballad of Peter O'Neill Crowley - Edmond Houlihan (Rambling Jack)Rebel on the Run - John Ryan

The 1867 Uprising

An account of Sarsfield's ride to Ballyneety leading to the Siege of Limerick with a few poems and revived ballads

Sarsfield's Ride to Ballyneety

This episode looks at the folklore surrounding the mountain of Slievenamon in south Tipperary made famous but the Charles Kickham ballad The Maid of Slievenamon about which many poems and songs have been written. Songs include The Moon Behind the Hill by William Kennealy, The Old House in the Glen by Thomas Ryan aka Drangan Boy and I Love You Tipperary but Brian O'Higgins aka Brian NaBamba.

Songs of Slievenamon

Here I will be collecting and sharing old songs I have recovered from folklore and history archives, piecing them back together and telling their stories.

Lost songs of Ireland Podcast

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