Decade of Centenaries Programme 2020-23
Maureen McNabola (nee McCrann) from Corlea, Kilnagross was a fine ballad singer who sadly passed away in 2022. She had a rich store of traditional ballads, some popular, well-known songs and others lesser known Leitrim ballads. Maureen’s first public singing appearance was in 1941 when she sang at An Tostal […]
“Reynolds, George Nugent (c.1767–1802), poet, wit, and head of the Reynolds family of Loughscur, was born at Letterfine, Co. Leitrim, son of George Reynolds (d. 1786), also called George Nugent Reynolds or ‘Squire’ Reynolds, and Jane Reynolds (née Connell) from Cranary, Co. Longford. He lived most of his life at Letterfine House, […]
“The Kingdom of West Breifne (Irish: Breifne Ua Ruairc) or Breifne O’Rourke was a historic kingdom of Ireland that existed from 1256 to 1605, located in the area that is now County Leitrim. It took its present boundaries in 1583 when West Breifne was shired and renamed Leitrim, after the village of Leitrim, […]
Cloone Céilí Band Probably the most “famous” céilí band in Leitrim’s history was Cloone Céilí Band. Owing to Fr. Peter Conefrey’s championing of traditional music and his ability to command national attention – Cloone Céili Band, founded by Conefrey and as pictured here appeared on RTÉ radio for a special […]
Mrs Lily Moffatt (nee Frayne/Freyne) was a great advocate for traditional music and dance. As a prominent member of Cumann na mBan and a lifelong republican, Lily had a unique insight into local political happenings in and round Leitrim and Roscommon from the years before and following the 1916 Rising. […]
Descended from the once powerful Leitrim clan, O’ Duigenan would be considered as a master of tradition, history, music and song. His ancestors would have been bards and official historians to the O’ Connors and O’ Rourkes and one of the four masters was an O’ Duigenan Access the Annals […]
Much has been written about William Sydney Clements, the 3rd Earl of Leitrim known most commonly as “Lord Leitrim”. Probably most famous due to his assassination in 1878, Clements also gained infamy because of his treatment of tenants and his supposed mistreatment of women. Lough Rynn Estate itself wouldn’t have […]
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 […]
