“Owen Rooney's Lamentation”

Description

Rooney of Innismore, Fermanagh near Lough Erne, joins a fight and stands with the Catholics. Six of the opponents fall. Rooney is taken prisoner, tried and convicted; "my wife and children it grieved ... To see me transported at the age of fifty-three"

Notes

Zimmermann: "This ballad is probably connected with the 'party fights' in County Fermanagh in July 1829." Zimmermann cites a report describing the "battle of Mackeen," July 13, 1829, following an Orange celebration of the Battle of the Boyne. "Several Orangemen were killed. A Rooney was among the nineteen Catholics deported after the trial." - BS

Cross references

  • cf. "The Battle That Was Fought in the North" (subject: "party fights")
  • cf. "The Lamentation of James O'Sullivan" (subject: "party fights")
  • cf. "The Noble Blue Ribbon Boys" (subject: Ulster quarrels)

References

  1. Zimmermann 34, "Owen Rooney's Lamentation" (1 text)
  2. BI, Zimm034

About

Author: unknown
Earliest date: c.1830 (Zimmermann)