Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh facts for kids
Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh (also known as Carroll Oge O'Daly) was a famous Irish poet and harp player from the 1600s. He lived around the year 1630. Cearbhall is best known for writing the beautiful song "Eileanóir a Rún".
The name Cearbhall (Carroll) was common in the Ó Dálaigh family. Many poets from this family shared the name. The Cearbhall Óg who wrote "Eileanóir a Rún" was from a place called Pallas, near Gorey in County Wexford, Ireland. The Eileanóir in his poem was the daughter of Sir Morgan Kavanagh, who lived in Clonmullen, also in County Wexford. In old Irish stories, Cearbhall is sometimes shown as a clever trickster, much like a character called the Gobán Saor.
Contents
The Story of Eileanóir a Rún
Irish folklore tells a romantic story about how the song "Eileanóir a Rún" came to be. It says that Eileanóir Chaomhánach (Eleanor Kavanagh) was about to marry another man. Cearbhall arrived at the wedding to play music for the celebration. But when he saw Eileanóir, he fell in love with her right away.
To win her heart, Cearbhall wrote the song "Eileanóir a Rún" (which means "Eleanor My Love"). The story says that Eileanóir then left her wedding to be with Cearbhall.
Here are some lines from the song:
|
Mo ghrá thú, den chéad fhéachaint, Eileanóir a Rún |
From the moment I saw you I loved you, Eileanóir my love |
Other Works by Cearbhall Óg
Cearbhall Óg is also linked to another song called Seachrán Chearbhaill. This song is written in a special old Irish style. We also know of a poem written to Cearbhall by a priest named Pádraigín Haicéad. Cearbhall wrote a poem back to the priest. Both of these poems can still be found in a book from the 1600s.
Cearbhall's Songs Today
Both "Eileanóir a Rún" and "Seachrán Chearbhaill" are important parts of traditional Irish music. They are often sung in the 'sean-nós' style. This is a very old way of singing Irish songs without any instruments.
You can find recordings of "Seachrán Chearbhaill" by singers like Joe Éinniu (Seosamh Ó hÉanaí) and Peadar Ó Ceannabháin. Many different artists have also recorded "Eileanóir a Rún" over the years.
Cearbhall Óg in Stories
Cearbhall Óg Ó Dálaigh appears as a character in a modern Irish novel called An Cléireach by Darach Ó Scolaí. In the book, he is shown as a soldier in the 1650s and even later in the Netherlands. This shows how Cearbhall Óg is still remembered and inspires new stories today.
