“Drumboe Castle”
Description
"Twas the Eve of St. Patrick's by the dawn of the day, The hills of Tirconnel looked sombre and grey When... Four Irish soldiers were led forth to die." They had come "to fight for the Gael," but were captured, imprisoned, and shot at Drumboe
Notes
Galvin lists this as an Irish song of rebellion, but this is rather an exaggeration; the British had no part in it.
The four men were Irishmen condemned (without trial) by Irishmen. The worst of it is, they were innocent of the crime of which they stood accused (which had been ordered by Liam Lynch while they were imprisoned), but were killed because they were convenient. - RBW
Historical references
- March 14, 1923 - Execution of Tim O'Sullivan, Charles Daly, John Larkin, and Dan Enright at Drumboe in Donegal
References
- PGalvin, pp. 100-101, "Drumboe Castle" (1 text, 1 tune)
- OLochlainn-More 80, "The Woods of Drumbo" (1 text, 1 tune)
- Roud #13466
- BI, PGa100