Boolavogue (song) facts for kids

Boolavogue is a famous Irish song, also called a ballad. It tells the story of Father John Murphy and his brave followers in County Wexford during the Irish Rebellion of 1798. This song was written by Patrick Joseph McCall in 1898, which was 100 years after the rebellion happened.

The Story Behind the Song

This song is about the amazing journey of Father John Murphy. He was a priest from the village of Boolavogue in County Wexford. He led his local community during the Irish Rebellion of 1798.

Father Murphy's Role

At first, Father Murphy tried to convince people not to join the rebellion. But then, soldiers burned the homes of his parishioners. They suspected these people were rebels. After this, Father Murphy changed his mind. He became a leader for the rebels, even though he didn't want to at first.

The song talks about how Father Murphy and his group defeated the Camolin Cavalry on May 26, 1798. They also won battles against the British at Oulart Hill and Enniscorthy. The rebels from Wexford fought very bravely. They were up against trained soldiers.

The Rebellion's End

Sadly, the Wexford rebels were eventually defeated. This happened at the Battle of Vinegar Hill on June 21, 1798. After the defeat, Father Murphy and other leaders were captured.

The song also mentions Lieutenant Thomas Bookey. He was a leader of the Yeoman Cavalry in the Boolavogue area.

The Music of Boolavogue

The person who wrote "Boolavogue" was Patrick Joseph McCall. He also wrote other popular Irish songs. These include "Kelly the Boy from Killanne" and "Follow Me up to Carlow".

The Tune's History

McCall wrote "Boolavogue" using an old Irish tune. This tune is called "Eochaill," which means "Youghal Harbour" in English. This same tune was used before for another song. It was for the Irish/Australian song "Moreton Bay" from 1830. That song was about an Irish prisoner's harsh life in Australia.

Later, in 1959, the famous composer Seán Ó Riada used this tune. He included it in the music for the film Mise Éire. The song "Boolavogue" was also inspired by other songs from the time of the 1798 rebellion, like "Come All You Warriors".

How the Song Became Famous

Liam Gaul, a writer, says that "Boolavogue" is the song most connected to PJ McCall. It has become like an anthem for County Wexford. Interestingly, "Boolavogue" wasn't in any of McCall's own books. It first appeared in the Irish Independent newspaper on June 18, 1898. Its first title was Fr Murphy of the County Wexford.

This title was still used when the song was printed in Padraig Breathnach’s Songs of the Gael in 1922. It was only later that the song became widely known as "Boolavogue."

McCall was from Dublin, but he often visited Wexford. He knew a lot about its history and places. "Boolavogue" mentions many people and places that were important in the 1798 Rising.