"Boolavogue" is a famous Irish ballad commemorating the
Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was composed by Patrick
Joseph McCall in 1898, for the centenary of the
Rebellion issued Irish Noíníns (Dublin 1894).
Father John Murphy of the town of Boolavogue in County
Wexford led his parishioners in routing the Camolin
Cavalry on 26 May 1798. The Wexford insurgents were
eventually defeated at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on 21
June and Father Murphy and the other rebel leaders were
hanged. (+)
"Boolavogue" is a famous Irish ballad commemorating the
Irish Rebellion of 1798. It was composed by Patrick
Joseph McCall in 1898, for the centenary of the
Rebellion issued Irish Noíníns (Dublin 1894).
Father John Murphy of the town of Boolavogue in County
Wexford led his parishioners in routing the Camolin
Cavalry on 26 May 1798. The Wexford insurgents were
eventually defeated at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on 21
June and Father Murphy and the other rebel leaders were
hanged.
McCall, who also composed the popular Irish ballads
"Kelly the Boy from Killanne" and "Follow Me up to
Carlow", wrote "Boolavogue" to the old Irish air
"Eochaill" ("Youghal Harbour"). The tune had previously
been used in the Australian traditional song "Moreton
Bay", about an Irish convict's travails in Australia,
and was also used by Seán Ó Riada as part of the film
score for Mise Éire (1959). The song is inspired by
songs contemporary to the events of 1798 such as Come
All You Warriors.
Father Murphy was a local priest who at first tried to
persuade people not to take part in the rebellion. He
changed his opinion and became a reluctant rebel leader
after soldiers burnt down the homes of some of his
parishioners while searching for rebels. The main
antagonist of the song, Lieutenant Thomas Bookey, was
the leader of the Yeoman Cavalry in the Boolavogue
area.
Although this work was originally written for Folk
Instruments & Voice, I created this arrangement for
Celtic or Concert (Pedal) Harp.
SHEET MUSIC