Sláinte! Today I asked my husband what his favourite Irish song was and his response was, "When I think of Irish music, the song that always comes to mind first is Star of the County Down." So today I bring you the lyrics and a bit of history to that song, a quote from James Plunkett about how Ireland got it's name, and a bit of folklore that goes with it, and another Irish toast.

The Star of the County Down

The tune to this song is quite old dating back to the early 1700s, and has been used in other songs as well. This song is about a man that becomes enamored with a maid named Rosie McCann in the County Down. County Down is in the north of Ireland, and Banbridge is located south of Belfast.

Near Banbridge town, in the County Down
One morning in July
Down a boreen green came a sweet colleen*
And she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet from her two white feet
To the sheen of her nut-brown hair
Such a coaxing elf, I'd to shake myself
To make sure I was standing there.

Chorus
From Bantry Bay up to Derry Quay
And from Galway to Dublin town
No maid I've seen like the sweet colleen
That I met in the County Down.

As she onward sped I shook my head
And I gazed with a feeling rare
And I said, says I, to a passerby
"Who's the maid with the nut-brown hair?"
He smiled at me, and with pride says he,
"That's the gem of Ireland's crown.
She's young Rosie McCann from the banks of the Bann She's the star of the County Down."

Chorus

I've traveled a bit, but never was hit
Since my roving career began
But fair and square I surrendered there
To the charms of young Rose McCann.
I'd a heart to let and no tenant yet
Did I meet with in shawl or gown
But in she went and I asked no rent
From the star of the County Down.

Chorus

At the crossroads fair I'll be surely there
And I'll dress in my Sunday clothes
And I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies
On the heart of the nut-brown rose.
No pipe I'll smoke, no horse I'll yoke
Though with rust my plow turns brown
Till a smiling bride by my own fireside
Sits the star of the County Down.

Chorus

*Boreen means a country lane or narrow road, and comes from the Gaelic word bóithrín. A colleen is a young, unwedded woman, originating from the Gaelic word cailín. I haven't been able to find a meaning of the word "deludhering", but from the phrase "I'll try sheep's eyes, and deludhering lies on the heart of the nut-brown rose" I'm guessing that the man in the song means to "make eyes" at her (looking at her invitingly) and speaking charming words to her to pique her interest. Is there anyone out there that can tell me if that is what this really means?

How Ireland Got It's Name

Once upon a time, thousands of years ago, when the country was inhabited by a race of wizards and sorcerers, the three kings who rules there were married to three sisters. Each of the sisters was beautiful and each in turn gave her name to the country. One of these sisters was called Banba, another Fodhla and third, Eire. And it was from Eire Ireland got her name.

During the time of the Tuatha de Danaan, there was three kings, Eathur, Teathur and Ceathur, and they were brothers. Each brother married one of the three sisters, Banba, Fodhla, and Eiru. The country was at one time, known by each of these names. Now, only Eiru survives as the name, and only in the south of Ireland. The north of Ireland prefers the name Ulster, to distinguish themselves from the "southern barbarians". When the Milesians came to Ireland to conquer the island, each of the three sisters appeared to Amairgin (or Amergin), the son of the Mil and a bard, who was the leader of the Milesians. When Eriu welcomes Amairgin, he accepts the welcome, and for this she blesses him. He then promises that the island will be named after her forever. He also meets with Fodhla and Banba and promises to them that their names will be remembered as two of the names for the island. A lovely version of the story of the Milesians coming to Ireland is found in Bard: the Odyssey of the Irish by Morgan Llewellyn.

Cheers
May you have warm words on a cold evening,
A full moon on a dark night.
And the road downhill all the way to your door.

Sláinte!
AllieKat