Faugh A Ballagh facts for kids

Regimental colours of the 4th Battalion Royal Irish Regiment in St. Macartin's Cathedral carrying the motto Faugh a ballagh

Faugh a ballagh (pronounced like "Fawkh ah BAL-akh") is a famous phrase from Ireland. It means "clear the way!" This saying is an old way of writing the Irish words Fág an bealach.

It was first used as a special saying, or motto, by a group of soldiers called the 87th (Prince of Wales's Irish) Regiment of Foot in 1798. Today, it is still the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment.

How the Motto Began

This powerful phrase became famous because of a brave soldier named Sergeant Patrick Masterson. At the Battle of Barrosa in 1811, he bravely charged into enemy lines. He managed to capture a French Imperial Eagle, which was a very important flag. This was the first time such a flag was taken during the Peninsular War. His actions helped make "Faugh a ballagh" a well-known battle cry.

"Clear the Way" in Other Wars

The phrase became even more popular outside of Ireland during the American Civil War.

The Irish Brigade

The Irish Brigade in the Army of the Potomac used this motto. This brigade was made up of several regiments, including:

• The 69th New York Volunteer Infantry, also known as the "Fighting 69th"
• The 63rd and 88th New York Volunteer Infantry
• The 116th Pennsylvania
• The 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiments

Another group, the 7th Missouri Volunteer Infantry, also known as the "Irish Seventh," had a version of the motto written on their flags. They fought in the western parts of the Civil War under generals like Grant and Sherman.

World War I

During the First World War, the 55th Battalion of the Australian 5th Division also adopted "Faugh a ballagh" as their motto.

"Faugh a Ballagh" Today

While you might not hear "Faugh a ballagh" spoken very often, it still appears in many places. You can find it on things like mugs and T-shirts.

In Books and Music

• A historian and musician named Derek Warfield wrote a book and made a music CD called "Clear the Way." These works tell the story of the 69th Regiment.
• The Australian poet Banjo Paterson used the phrase in his poem "Father Riley's Horse."
• The band Dropkick Murphys mentions the phrase in their songs "The Legend of Finn MacCumhail" and "Heroes From Our Past."
• A TV show about the Irish Brigade in the American Civil War was called "Fág an bealach" on the Irish language channel TG4.

In Sports and Other Uses

• In Irish Road Bowling, people shout "Fág an bealach" to clear the road before a player takes a shot.
• The Donore Harriers running club has a yearly race for the Faugh-a-Ballagh Cup. This trophy was given to them by the 87th Royal Irish Fusiliers in 1907.
• The Dublin Rugby club Suttonians RFC uses "Faugh a ballagh" as its motto.
• The Irish WWE wrestler Sheamus uses the phrase.
• The British Columbia Regiment in Canada also uses this phrase as their regimental motto.

Confederate Irish Soldiers

During the American Civil War, Company I of the 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment was known as "The Emerald Guards." Most of these soldiers were born in Ireland. They wore dark green uniforms. Their flag had a picture of George Washington on one side. The other side was green and showed a harp, shamrocks, and the slogans "Erin-go bragh" (Ireland forever) and "Faugh- a ballagh" (Clear the way).

There is even a road named Faugh a Ballagh Road in Spring Gully, Australia.

See also

• Erin Go Bragh