The Fields of Athenry

12/4/2012 6 Comments

The Fields of Athenry

25 km from Galway city lies the small town of Athenry (Athenrai). As the bus whizzed past, our tour guide played a song (ballad) on the audio system that gave us a sense of the Great Irish Famine (1845 – 1850), the potato famine that had killed over a million men, women and children.

The song mentions a farmer, Michael from Athenry who stole a few heads of corn (from Lord Trevelyan’s field) to feed his starving children but got caught, imprisoned and deported to Australia (Botany Bay). In the ballad, Michael tells Mary to raise their child with dignity.

Watch the haunting Irish ballad on Youtube.

6 Comments

ashok

12/4/2012 05:02:17 pm

captivating

Abraham link

12/4/2012 11:12:58 pm

It is this infamous potato famine that dislocated President John F Kennedy's great grandfathers from their much loved Ireland and their Catholic homeland to take a ship to the Protestant America. Kennedys always loved their Ireland and their Catholic heritage.... and JFK was the 1st Catholic President of US.

Ashley

13/4/2012 04:37:41 am

Thanks for the ballad. I have always wanted to get the lyrics. All best wishes !

Augustus

13/4/2012 05:08:03 am

Soul inspiring, Very touching Thanks Amma

the VAT family

14/4/2012 10:42:48 pm

the Potato famine took the near and dear ones to America, Today,Once again near and dear ones are moving to countries like Australia,New Zealand,Canada and America and like how we return from Gulf for occasions/festivals...so do Irish for Christmas/St.Patrick's day

gladys

15/4/2012 12:41:18 pm

a lovely ballad.

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The Fields of Athenry

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