Happy St. Patrick's Day!

A sign I found at a dollar store. Love the vintage look!

May your thoughts be as glad as the shamrocks

May your heart be as light as a song,

May each day bring you bright, happy hours

That stay with you all the year long.

- An Irish Blessing

And just for a bit of fun, take a look at what I found yesterday: The High Kings in Lego form!

Introduction to The High Kings

The Irish Pub - The High Kings (love the accordion and bodhran!)

Whiskey In The Jar - The High Kings (love the whiskey jars part so seamless and filling the charges up with water part!)
Green Fields of France - The High Kings (don't really like the message behind this song but it's still so neat to see what the Legos get up to!)
Hope these videos made you smile as much as they did me! :-D

My Irish Blessings book and the cute tag from my new Ireland t-shirt.

My St. Patrick's Day celebrations started early when my dad and I went to an Irish themed mystery dinner theater (a late birthday gift for him). We didn't solve the mystery but the buffet dinner was delicious and the whole evening was a lot of fun! 

Today being Sunday I'm wearing green to church, helping with the fours and fives Sunday School class (they are so cute!) and listening to some of my favorite Irish hymns. Monday my family will have our traditional corned beef and cabbage dinner and Irish Cream bars for dinner. I've been enjoying listening to the new Celtic Thunder CD on Spotify too. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day to you!

How are you celebrating St. Patrick's Day this year?

Irish Period Drama Quiz - Answers!

These are the answers to the Irish Period Drama Quiz which I posted last week in honor of St. Patrick's Day.

1. Which character from Jane Austen's Persuasion thinks Captain Wentworth looks Irish?
a. Mr. Musgrove
b. Charles Hayter
c. Lady Dalrymple - at the concert she commented Sir Walter that Captain Wentworth had "More air than one often sees in Bath. Irish, I dare say."
d. Nurse Rook

2. What was the full name of Jane Austen's Irish suitor?
a. Tom William Lafroy
b. Harris Bigg Withers
c. Robert Lewis Fowle
d. Thomas Langlois Lefroy 

3. Which older Disney film features a singing Irish butler?
a. Summer Magic
b. The Happiest Millionaire - Delightful actor Tommy Steele played Irish butler John Lawless who narrates the story and sings songs like 'I'll Always Be Irish' and 'Fortuasity'. Read my review of this fun family musical from last St. Paddy's Day.
c.  Pollyanna
d. The Shaggy Dog

4. Which classic author's father was Irish?
a. Elizabeth Gaskell
b. Charles Dickens
c. Thomas Hardy
d. Charlotte Bronte - Her father Rev. Patrick Bronte was born in Drumballyroney (near Rathfriland), County Down, Ireland.

5. Which period drama talks about Irish immigrant workers?
a. Cranford
b. Oliver Twist
c. North & South - Mr. Thornton hires Irish workers when his Milton employees go on strike.
d. Miss Potter

6. In which Jane Austen novel does a young lady reject her friend's invitations to visit them in Ireland?
a. Pride and Prejudice
b. Mansfield Park
c. Northanger Abbey
d. Emma - Jane Fairfax is invited to visit Mr. & Mrs. Dixon at their home in Ireland but she refuses because she has

7. Which character in The Young Victoria (and Victoria & Albert) is an Irishman?
a. Lord Melbourne
b. Sir Robert Peel
c. Sir John Conroy - He was actually born in Wales to Irish parents. As confidant to Victoria's mother he used his position for self aggrandizement.
d. Baron Stockmar

8. Which of these period drama stars were born in Ireland?
a. Richard Armitage
b. Michael Gambon - He was born in Dublin, Ireland but his family moved to England when he was five years old.
c. Colin Firth
d. Matthew Macfadyen

9. Which of these playwrights was born in Ireland?
a. Oscar Wilde - Born in Dublin Ireland he was the author of comedic plays such as The Importance of Being Earnest and An Ideal Husband.
b. J.M. Barrie
c. William Shakespeare
d. W.H. Auden

10. Which of these classic musicals features main characters from Ireland?
a. Brigadoon
b. My Fair Lady
c. Fiddler On The Roof
d. Finian's Rainbow - Read my review from last St. Paddy's Day.

11. Which of these black & white films features the song 'An Irish Lullaby' (aka 'Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra')?
a. Miracle on 34th Street
b. The Bells of St. Mary's
c. Going My Way - Legendary Bing Crosby plays Father O'Malley and sings the famous 'An Irish Lullaby' during the course of the movie.
d. My Man Godfrey

12. Which of these Jane Austen adaptations was filmed entirely in Ireland?
a. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
b. Northanger Abbey (2007) - The scenes where Catherine Morland visits Bath were filmed in Dublin and the scenes at Northanger Abbey were filmed at Lismore Castle in County Waterford, Ireland.
c. Emma (2009)
d. Persuasion (2007)

And here's my answers to the last few questions:


13. Do you have any Irish in your family tree? - No, unfortunately not. I love Irish things so I'd love to marry someone with an Irish surname one day!

14. Have you ever visited Ireland? - No, but I hope to one day because there's so many things I'd love to see!

15. Do you have any favorite Irish songs or singers? - Oh yes! I adore Irish music and have so many favorite singers and songs! Among my favorite singers are the High Kings, Celtic Thunder, Celtic Woman, Anuna, Deanta, Cara Dillon and The Corrs.
Among my favorite Irish songs are Maid of Culmore, Mairi's Wedding, Rocky Road to Dublin, Dulaman, Suil a Ruin,  Red is the Rose, Spanish Lady, Raggle Taggle Gypsy, Caledonia, Black is the Colour, Lagan Love, The Fields of Athenry, Carolina Rua, The Water is Wide, Willie and Mary, I Know My Love, Carrickfergus, I'll Tell Me Ma and The Star of the County Down.

16. Do you do anything special to celebrate St. Patrick's Day? - I usually wear green, eat special food and listen to my favorite Irish music. The last couple of years I've also been posting about Irish things on my blog. :)


Thanks so much to all of you who took the quiz and shared about your interest in Irish things!

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Happy St. Patrick's Day everyone! 

I enjoy the St. Patrick's story and everything Irish so it's always fun to celebrate a little bit. Today I'm wearing green and my "Irish For A Day" pin, listening to my favorite Irish music and eating corned beef and cabbage and delicious Irish cream bars. 

On this lovely day I'd like to share some Irish blessings, prayers and quotes from a lovely book I found recently.   

Irish Blessings:

May joy and peace surround you,

Contentment latch your door,

And happiness be with you now

And bless you evermore.

May your blessings outnumber

The shamrocks that grow

And may trouble avoid you

Wherever you go.

May brooks and trees and singing hills

Join in the chorus too,

And every gentle wind that blows

Send happiness to you.

May you never find trouble

All crowdin' and shovin'

But always good fortune -

All smilin' and lovin'.

Irish Prayers:

Deep peace of the running waters to you.

Deep peace of the flowing air to you.

Deep peace of the smiling stars to you.

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.

Deep peace of the watching shepherds to you.

Deep peace of the Son of Peace to you.

-An Old Gaelic Prayer

Grand me a sense of humor, Lord,

That saving grace to see a joke,

To win some happiness from life,

And pass it on to other folk.

Here's a couple random facts about St. Patrick's Day:

The word leprechaun comes from the Irish Gaelic word lobaircin which means "small bodied person".

St. Patrick's Day was first celebrated in the USA in 1737.

St. Patrick began his ministry in 432 and by the end of his ministry in 460 Ireland was almost entirely converted to Christianity. 

This quote is quite true! hehe

For the great Gaels of Ireland

Are the men that God made mad,

For all their wars are merry

And all their songs are sad.

-G.K. Chesterton

I hope you're having a delightful day! :)

Do you have any special plans for St. Patrick's Day? 

Irish Period Drama Quiz

Here's a little quiz about Irish related things in period dramas and classic literature. 

To Play: Leave your answers to the questions below in a comment. Try to answer questions without looking up the answers. I'll reply with your score, one point for each correctly guessed answer. 

1. Which character from Jane Austen's Persuasion thinks Captain Wentworth looks Irish?
a. Mr. Musgrove
b. Charles Hayter
c. Lady Dalrymple
d. Nurse Rook

2. What was the full name of Jane Austen's Irish suitor?
a. Tom William Lafroy
b. Harris Bigg Withers
c. Robert Lewis Fowle
d. Thomas Langlois Lefroy

3. Which older Disney film features a singing Irish butler?
a. Summer Magic
b. The Happiest Millionaire
c.  Pollyanna
d. The Shaggy Dog

4. Which classic author's father was Irish?
a. Elizabeth Gaskell
b. Charles Dickens
c. Thomas Hardy
d. Charlotte Bronte

5. Which period drama talks about Irish immigrant workers?
a. Cranford
b. Oliver Twist
c. North & South
d. Miss Potter

6. In which Jane Austen novel does a young lady reject her friend's invitations to visit them in Ireland?
a. Pride and Prejudice
b. Mansfield Park
c. Northanger Abbey
d. Emma

7. Which character in The Young Victoria (and Victoria & Albert) is an Irishman?
a. Lord Melbourne
b. Sir Robert Peel
c. Sir John Conroy
d. Baron Stockmar

8. Which of these period drama stars were born in Ireland?
a. Richard Armitage
b. Michael Gambon
c. Colin Firth
d. Matthew Macfadyen

9. Which of these playwrights was born in Ireland?
a. Oscar Wilde
b. J.M. Barrie
c. William Shakespeare
d. W.H. Auden

10. Which of these classic musicals features main characters from Ireland?
a. Brigadoon
b. My Fair Lady
c. Fiddler On The Roof
d. Finian's Rainbow

11. Which of these black & white films features the song 'An Irish Lullaby' (aka 'Too-ra-loo-ra-loo-ra')?
a. Miracle on 34th Street
b. The Bells of St. Mary's
c. Going My Way
d. My Man Godfrey

12. Which of these Jane Austen adaptations was filmed entirely in Ireland?
a. Pride & Prejudice (2005)
b. Northanger Abbey (2007)
c. Emma (2009)
d. Persuasion (2007)

And a few questions just for fun:

13. Do you have any Irish in your family tree?

14. Have you ever visited Ireland?

15. Do you have any favorite Irish songs or singers?

16. Do you do anything special to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?


Answers will be posted next week!

Film Review: Leap Year (2010)

I rarely review modern day films but in honor of St. Patrick's Day I wanted to review Leap Year (2010) because it's a recent favorite of mine and a fun film set in Ireland.

This film won't be for everyone so if you're not interested in modern comedic romances or Irish themed things just ignore this post.

Story: Anna Brady from Boston has always thought the story her father told about the Irish tradition of ladies proposing to their guys on February 29th was a silly idea. But when Anna's boyfriend Jeremy, a busy cardiologist, fails to propose to her she follows him to Ireland to pop the question. Bad weather forces her plane to land early so Anna must continue to Dublin by land and she enlists the help of Irish pub owner Declan O'Callahan to drive her. When his junky old car dies they must travel by foot, bus and train without killing each other - let the hilarity ensue!

Scenery: Gorgeous! Many picturesque views of Ireland including glens, cliffs, shorelines, rugged country, rolling hills and stone castles! Every scene is filled with beautiful color and richness.

Music: A mixture of original score with an Irish sound, Irish reels, pub classics and a few pop songs. The original soundtrack has some lovely songs and can be purchased from Amazon.

Costumes: Anna has some very cute feminine outfits but some low necklines. I loves her dress at the end, so sweet! She often wears $600 heels which are ridiculous for walking cross country. Declan has a smart jacket which I liked a lot. All clothes are modern but tasteful.

Acting: Some of the reviews I've read say the acting is terrible especially the fake Irish accents the Irish residents have. Some of the accents aren't great and some of the phrases and stories they tell are a little clique but still very charming and funny.
Amy Adams (Enchanted) who plays Anna is totally cute with her red hair and clumsiness. She's so pretty and I really enjoyed the mischief her character gets into. Matthew Goode (He Knew He Was Right) is a favorite and his portrayal of skeptical Declan is clever even though the Irish accent he dons isn't perfect. Together they made a very cute pair!

Objectionable Content: Because this is a modern and secular film there is some slightly objectionable content that gives the film a PG rating. Anna and her boyfriend have been "together" for four years and plan to buy an apartment together without getting married. On their trek cross country Anna and Declan stop at a Bed & Breakfast where they pretend to be married so the strict owners will let them stay. During dinner the other married guests kiss and tell Declan to kiss his "wife" so he and Anna share a kiss that lasts a bit longer than expected. Because the B&B owners think Anna and Declan are married they are given one bedroom which has no door on the bathroom and although they comically fight over the bed they both end up sleeping in the same bed but stay on their own sides. At a party Anna and Declan go to Anna has a bit too much to drink and is sick all over Declan's shoes. There is some slight language and name calling.

My Thoughts: This is a modern day romantic comedy that has a lot of cute and hilarious scenes. The love story is sweet but kind of fluffy. This film is definitely a chick flick and the view of Irish people and the accents used are kind of cheesy. But as a fun fluffy romp through beautiful Ireland I actually really like this film. Anna is a very sweet character with silly romantic notions and her trek across Ireland helps her too step out of her busy life and take a look at what really matters. *spoilers* As a hero Declan likes to have some fun teasing Anna about her city ways but when it come down to it he protects her, wants to make her happy and reminds her what's really important in life. *end of spoilers*
So overall this is one of my favorite films to watch around St. Paddy's Day and for me it's just a lot of fun.  

My Recommendations: Like I said this film won't be for everyone because of some of the slightly objectionable content so although it's rated PG I'd probably but this film at ages 13 and up. But if you happen to have a TV filter such as ClearPlay is would probably take out any objectionable language or scenes.  This is a modern film so again my period drama fans may want to just skip this post.


Have you seen Leap Year (2010)? What did you think of it?
Do you have any films you enjoy watching for St. Patrick's Day?



Very Truly Your's,

Irish Ballad: Mairi's Wedding

In honor of St. Patrick's Day fast approaching here is another of my favorite ballads. This one I learned is actually a Traditional Scottish ballad but I've always heard Irish singers preforming this song so I still think of it as Irish. 

The song tells the story of guests going to the wedding of Mairi, a local girl. The first verse speaks of the guest's traveling to the wedding; the second verse tells what Mairi looks like; and the third verse is a toast for the bride to have food, comfort and many children. In the chorus they are dancing "heel for heel and toe for toe" and "arm in arm and row on row".  

Mairi's Wedding

Chorus: 
Step it gaily, on we go

Heel for heel and toe for toe,

Arm in arm and row on row

All for Mairi's wedding.

Over hillways up and down

Myrtle green and bracken brown,

Past the sheiling through the town

All for sake of Mairi.

Red her cheeks as rowans are,

Bright her eye as any star,

Fairest o' them a' by far,

Is our darling Mairi.

Plenty herring, plenty meal

Plenty peat to fill her creel,

Plenty bonny bairns as weel

That's the toast for Mairi.

Words in Lyrics:

Mairi - a Scottish form of Mary, in some versions it's spelled Marie, pronounced mah-ree

bracken - large coarse fern often several feet high

sheiling - A hut or small cottage in an expessed or a retired place

rowans - tree with orange-red berrylike fruits

peat - dried peat moss used to make the fire burn better

creel - a wicker basket

bonny bairns as weel - pretty babies as well

History: Mairi's Wedding (also known as Marie's Wedding, the Lewis Bridal Song, or Mairi Bhan) is a Scottish folk song originally written in Gaelic by Johnny Bannerman for Mary McNiven. Written using a traditional Scottish tune, it was first played for McNiven in 1935 at the Old Highlanders Institute in Glasgow's Elmbank Street. Hugh S. Roberton translated the Gaelic version into English in 1936. It is also a Scottish country dance, 40 bar, reel time, devised in 1959 by James B. Cosh.

The High Kings - This version was the first I ever heard and is so much fun! The High Kings are my favorite Irish group, they sing all the old ballads, play so many different instruments and their voices blend so well together! For more on them you can read my post on The High Kings from last Ste. Paddy's Day. There's also a plain audio version of this song here.


The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem - These guys are the essential Irish folk group that has inspired many of today's singers. Their version is just voice, guitar and banjo. The song ends on the video at around 2:00 and the rest of the video is an introduction for another song.


Harp Version - Just the tune played on harp by a talented lady named Kathleen.


The Corries - A favorite Scottish folk group of mine, they recorded the song under the Scottish title of Lewis Bridal Song.

Other versions include The Rankin Familiy's fun upbeat version and Noel McLoughlin's mostly acapella version.

Have you every heard Mairi's Wedding?Which of the versions above do you like best?

St. Patrick: The Irish Legend (2000)

As a lover of all things Irish I particularly enjoy the story of Saint Patrick and his missionary work in Ireland. I'd been interested in this film of his life and work for a while and was thrilled when it was available for viewing on Netflix.


St. Patrick: The Irish Legend wasn't quite what I was expecting - it has good points and bad points. My hope is that this review will help anyone who has been interested in this film and encourage others to learn the true story of Patrick a missionary and hero of the faith.

Story: Patrick lives a privileged life in England with his parents but his mischievous ways disappoint his parents who want to see him well educated and wealthy. Although his family is Christian Patrick is not a true believer. One night he sneaks out of the house to watch the ceremonies to pagan gods in the woods and he is pressured by his friends into joining in "for fun". When Celtic warriors come to round up slaves Patrick is taken captive and sold to a rich landowner in Ireland. Put to work tending flocks Patrick cries out to the one true God for forgiveness and help. After Patrick's salvation he continues to serve his master faithfully for six years using the time to draw closer to God through prayer. One night he hears a voice telling him "your ship is ready" so he runs away to the seaport where he is given free passage to England. Back home his parents are overjoyed to see their lost son until Patrick tells him of his calling to become a lowly priest and return to the land of his captivity as a missionary. Patrick goes to a monastery in Gaul where he studies with the hope of becoming a priest and later Bishop of Ireland in order to teach the Irish people God's Word and ordain converted Irishmen so they can teach their own people. Many years pass before an opportunity of going to Ireland arises. When the old pompous Bishop of Ireland dies leaving the position vacant Patrick is appointed and travels to Ireland. His work is hard but the Lord greatly blesses and protects the lives of Patrick and his converts on several occasions. As the message of God's Word is spread whole clans turn from following the druids and their barbaric ways. When problems arise between the greedy church in Britton and Patrick the Bishops claim he is unfit in his role and threaten to excommunicate him and the church in Ireland if Patrick does not leave. In his trouble Patrick calls out to God and is ready to leave Ireland if asked for the sake of the believers there but it is made clear that God has much more work for him to do.    
 

Druid Sacrifices

Costumes & Music: The costumes are nothing extraordinary. The peasant's clothing are often unusually colorful, but the Bishop's robes are quite rich and magnificent. They remind me more of costumes from an armature dramatics play but they serve their purpose of setting the scene.
The music is sometimes a bit thematic but there are some Irish influence in some of the scores that help set a nice tone.

 

Patrick and his followers in Ireland

Scenes: The indoor scenes were most likely filmed in studio sets but work alright. Most outdoor scenes, especially the ones of Ireland are so picturesque and quite lovely!

Luke Griffin as Young Patrick

Acting: I only slightly recognized two of the actors. The acting was okay, it was a TV movie so some of the acting is a bit dull or overdone but the actors who played Young and Older Patrick were quite good.

Pagan Worship

Bad Points: The film shows some of the pagan worship rituals such as human sacrifice (no blood or death is shown), drinking and ritualistic dancing but it was was dealt with fairly well and does imply the darkness of these beliefs. The film takes a literal view of the visions and miracles said to have been part of Patrick's faith such as when Patrick cries out to God as a slave they show a light and "the voice of God" speaking to him. When Patrick lands on the shore of Ireland with the other monks snakes are shown to literally leave the land and go into the water. Patrick and his men are turned into deer so a group of the High King's men won't kill them and later Patrick and a disciple walk in and out of a burning building untouched. While all these miracles and visions most certainly could have happened - because our God is powerful - showing them in the film sort of makes it look like it was Patrick who has supernatural powers instead of God who worked through him. Patrick sometimes seemed to get angry and do miraculous things without being seen to pray for the Lord's assistance. A clear message of salvation through faith in Christ was not strictly given and good works were made to look just as important as faith.

Patrick answers writes about his experiences

Good Points: A lot of Patrick's own words about his faith were used in the narrative of the story. I especially liked the part where it told about Patrick being a shepherd out in all weathers and praying any time of the day and waking in the night to pray. The film shows Patrick as totally devoted to God and his calling and not being swayed from his faith even on point of death. Patrick's sermon using the shamrock as an illustration of the Trinity was included and done quite well. The film gives a great overview of Patrick's life and work and ends with him continuing his work. It's quite well done for being made by secular film makers.

Patrick Bergin as Older Patrick

Overall Recommendations: St. Patrick: The Irish Legend is not rated, there is no mature content, no swearing and no excessive violence. I'd say it's safe for family viewing and could be a good teaching tool for anyone wanting to learn more about St. Patrick's life and faith. As a period set film the costumes and sets are just fair and the acting is just okay. It's nice to have a film about Patrick to watch on St. Paddy's Day but it could have been a bit better if more attention was focused on the God and faith that guided him instead of on the legends and miraculous events that his story is now steeped in. The DVD can be ordered from Amazon and is available for instant viewing on Netflix. I also saw it at my local Walmart recently in their display of Irish related films.

For any families wanting to teach their children about Patrick as a missionary and hero of the faith I'd also highly recommend the Adventures in Odyssey episodes Saint Patrick: A Heart Afire from Focus on the Family Ministries. This two part radio play features a dramatized version of Patrick's life and particularly focuses on his salvation and how God guided him through his ministry in Ireland. A lot of why I love St. Patrick's Day has to do with how much I loved those episodes growing! The two part episode can be downloaded from the Focus on the Family website (for $1.99 each!) or purchased in a CD set from there, Christian Book Distributors or Amazon.


Have you seen or been interested in St. Patrick: The Irish Legend? 
Have you ever heard Adventures in Odyssey's Saint Patrick: A Heart Afire?
Have you read anything about St. Patrick's life and work?

Very Truly Your's,

St. Patrick's Day Theme

Since St. Patrick's Day is so much fun to celebrate I've decorated my blog in green for the occasion. OFC will be decorated thusly for about a week and then I'm planning for a Spring theme. 

My Bleak House theme was quite popular and served me very well. 

Previous Header:

Previous Background:

Many of you had liked my background especially so feel free to use it. I don't remember where I got the image but it works very well when tiled as a background.

What do you think of my St. Paddy's Day theme?

Irish Ballad: The Maid of Culmore

St. Patrick's Day is fast approaching so this week I'll be posting some Irish related posts along with following the Anne of Green Gables Week and Jane Austen Heroine Week. 

This ballad is my latest Irish obsession. I'd heard it before but hearing the version on the newest Celtic Thunder venture Voyage reminded me of how much I love this song. It's a sad song but a very beautiful one! 

The Maid of Culmore
Leaving sweet lovely Derry for fair London town,
There is no finer harbour all around can be found,
Where the youngsters each evening go down to the shore,
And the joy bells are ringing for the maid of Culmore.

The first time I saw her she passed me by,
And the next time that I saw her she bid me goodbye,
But the last time I saw her it grieved my heart sore,
For she sailed down Lough (Loch) Foyle and away from Culmore.

If I had the power the storms for to rise,
I'd make the wind blow out and I'd darken the skies,
I'd make the wind blow high and the salt seas to roar,
Till the day that my darling sailed away from Culmore.

To the bad parts of America my love I'll go see (seek),
For it's there I know no-one and no-one knows me,
But if I don't find her I'll return home no more,
Like a pilgrim I'll wander for the maid of Culmore.

Lough Foyle, County Derry, Northern Ireland

History: Culmore is about two miles from Derry city in the north of Ireland, where the Foyle river widens into Lough Foyle. It was a departure point for emigrants. The song tells the story of a young man who falls in love with a young lady from Culmore but she soon leaves Ireland. The young man finally decides to go to the wild parts of America to find his darling the Maid of Culmore. The song probably dates from the later 1800's and is considered a Traditional Irish ballad although I couldn't find much info about it online.

Maps of Lough Foyle & Ireland (the red square indicates where Culmore is located)

Now let's take a look at some lovely recorded versions of The Maid of Culmore:

Celtic Thunder - This is the version that inspired this post. Celtic Thunder is one of my favorite Irish groups and their new album Voyage is a great compilation of old ballads and catchy new favorites. This version features all five members of the group singing together. I really like this version especially since the song lyrics depict a man singing about the woman he loves. And it has that melancholic feel to the music and in their voices. My only complaint is that the song isn't longer! :)

Cara Dillon - Irish lass Cara Dillon sings a sweet version of the song. This was on her debut album which has just celebrated 10 years. Another of my favorite Irish singers though her super sweet voice took a bit of getting used to. I especially like the videos of her live performances.

Caroline Fraher - I'd never heard of her before but I quiet like her voice. She seems to sing at a lot of private functions.

Piano Version - This young man has quite a few home videos on YouTube and I quite like his version of the song even though the video is a bit shaky

Have you ever heard The Maid of Culmore before?
Which of her video versions is your favorite? 

Very Truly Your's,