Comment by Gerry Regan on December 27, 2014 at 10:45am

Very poignant lyrics, haunting melody. Go raibh maith agat, Jim. Really brought to mind the journey so many of our ancestors undertook, and still face, making a new life in a new land, but never losing sight of the land of their births.

Admin Comment by Fran Reddy on December 27, 2014 at 2:55pm

Sad and sweet.. I heard it for the first time recently and loved it. :)

Comment by Mike McCormack on December 28, 2014 at 10:32am

 Thanks Jim.  You brought back a fond memory.  About 40 years ago I was in a hotel pub at the dock in Cahirciveen, Co Kerry asking about local lore.  One of the things I learned twas that Barr na Sraide was right there in Cahirciveen.  One old fellow at the bar sang the song for me and they were the most melancholy lyrics I ever heard.  They explained to me that it was deserted now as most of the townspeople emigrated and the few left at the 'top of the road', which is what Barr na Sraide' translates to, either abandoned their homes to emigrate or moved down to the main part of town. I was told to go to old post office road and take it to the top and go right and I'd be there.  The next morning I did just that and when I arrived at Barr na Sraide, I was stunned.  Along the left side of the road was a row of deserted white-washed cottages with their roofs all caved in looking out over the most beautiful vista I'd ever seen. I stood looking across the river toward the hills of Ballycarberry - a view you would pay a million dollars for in America, if you could find it. The thought of leaving such a homesite must have been traumatic to say the least.  As the words of the song came back to me from the night before, I'm not ashamed to say that tears welled up.  That began another adventure for me - to find a recording of that song.  I eventually found it in Doolin where the great Miko Russel was kind enough to sing it into my tape recorder - but that's another story.  Thanks Jim, for the memory

Comment by Jim Curley on December 28, 2014 at 12:23pm

Thank you, Mike, for adding such texture to my appreciation of the song. As well, Iam not ashamed to say I shed a tear or two reading your comments.

Comment by Jim Hawkins on December 30, 2014 at 12:35pm

Thank you, Jim, for this wonderful version of "The Boys of Barr na Sraide." It has always been one of my favorites and it takes me back to the summers and the Christmas I spent in Corraun on Achill Island and had the pleasure of going out with "The Wren Boys."

Comment by Geraldine Callaghan on December 27, 2015 at 9:38pm

Beautiful Lyrics, Danu has a haunting voice. Wren Boys Day brings back memories of my childhood Christmasus in Ireland.

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