Rake Category: History

Margaret O’ Rourke – Ballad Singer

Margaret O’ Rourke was born in Ballinagleragh in the townland of Drumnafinla. She sang with various groups and bands in her early years but she gained much recognition when she began singing with the Hi-Lows Showband in the late 70’s. https://irish-showbands.com/Bands/Hi-lows.htm Shanagolden Margaret later sang with Paddy Kelly from Cloone, […]

Josephine McNamara – Ballad Singer

Josephine McNamara was born and raised in Aughavas, Co. Leitrim, in a musical family. She has very fond memories of hearing her father sing around the fireside and as he was working, when she was a young girl. She, herself, developed the same practice of singing as she worked and […]

Bernard Gray – Poet and Ballad Writer

One of the most prolific collections of poems, ballads and songs from County Leitrim is that compiled by poet Bernard Gray and printed by John Rourke and sons in Carrick on Shannon in 1909 – “Songs and Stories of Leitrim” As well as many poems and ballads written by Gray […]