- Rose of Castlerea: A romantic ballad praising a woman from Castlerea, Roscommon, celebrating her beauty and the town’s charm. It evokes local pride and the county’s rural allure. Traditional, no specific author.
- A Roscommon Exile’s Song: A nostalgic emigration song about longing for Roscommon, referencing the River Shannon, the Suck, and places like Athleague, Clooneen, Ballymurry, and Castlestrange. It captures the emigrant’s memories of childhood and homeland. Written by Peter James (Pete) Burns, born in Clooneen, Roscommon, in 1883, written in New York in 1926.
- Land of the O’Connor: A heartfelt ballad celebrating Roscommon as the “land of the O’Connor,” referencing its historical kings, the Shannon, and towns like Castlerea and Coothall. It emphasizes the county’s pride and emigrant connection. Written by Paddy Lohan (words) and Johnny Johnston (air), written in 2000.
- Knockcroghery: A humorous song about the village of Knockcroghery, Roscommon, describing its summer meadows and rural charm. Written for a bet, it showcases the county’s playful storytelling. Written by Peadar Kearney, author of Ireland’s national anthem, for the Abbey Theatre; recorded by Joe Lynch.
- Back Home to Roscommon: An emigration song expressing the desire to return to Roscommon, celebrating its landscapes and community spirit. It resonates with the county’s diaspora. Traditional.
- The Banks of Sweet Viledee: A romantic ballad, an Irish version of The Daemon Lover (Child #243), sung by Frank Browne of Ballingare, Roscommon. It tells of a lover’s betrayal and supernatural elements, tied to the county’s oral tradition. Traditional, no known author.
- The Shamrock Shore: An emigration song tied to Roscommon through its association with the Great Famine and Strokestown, where landlord Denis Mahon was murdered in 1847. It laments the hardships of eviction and exile. Traditional, no specific author; sung by Molloy, Brady, and Peoples on their 1978 album.
- Boyle in My Heart: A nostalgic song about Boyle, Roscommon, celebrating its market town charm, Lough Key, and community spirit. It evokes local pride and memories of home.
- The Plains of Rathcroghan: A lyrical ode to Rathcroghan, Roscommon’s royal site tied to Queen Maeve and Irish mythology. It celebrates the county’s ancient heritage and landscapes.
- The Lakes of Roscommon: A pastoral song praising Roscommon’s lakes, like Lough Allen and Lough Ree, highlighting their beauty and role in local life. It evokes the county’s serene waterways.
Songs
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Anthem
Antrim – Armagh – Carlow – Cavan – Clare – Cork – Derry – Donegal – Down – Dublin – Fermanagh – Galway – Kerry – Kildare – Kilkenny – Laois – Leitrim – Limerick – Longford – Louth – Mayo – Meath – Monaghan – Offaly – Roscommon – Sligo – Tipperary – Tyrone – Waterford – Westmeath – Wexford – Wicklow
County Roscommon:
Ireland’s county Roscommon combines historic sites with tranquil landscapes, with Roscommon Castle’s imposing ruins offering a glimpse into medieval Ireland. Lough Key Forest Park provides boating and treetop canopy walks, while the Arigna Mining Experience explores the county’s industrial past. Other attractions include the sacred site of Rathcroghan, linked to ancient mythology. Roscommon is Ireland’s 11th largest county by size (2,463 square km) and eighth smallest by population (70,259). Population peaked at 253,591 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 53,519 in 1971. In terms of hospitality, Roscommon is Ireland’s 31st most visited and Ireland’s second least visited tourist county with around 25,000 international visitors per year.
Introduction – Adventure – Anthem – Archaeology – Attractions – Awards – Birdwatching – Camping – Castles – Churches – Contact list – Cycling – Dining – Equestrian – Festivals – Fishing – Folklore – Gardens – Golf – Graveyards – Happening – Haunted – Highest – Hiking – History – Holy Wells – Hotels – Hotels top 8 – Hunting & shooting – Instagrammable – Itineraries – Largest town – Luxury – MICE – Movies – Music – Name – New – Novelists – Off the beaten track – Poets – Pubs – Quotes – Random Facts – Restaurant Awards – Sacred Places – Saints – Songs – Spas – Sports – Sunsets – Sustainable – Things to do – Towns – Video – Villages – Walking – Wanderlist – Weddings – Wild swimming – Writers – 1837 – 1846– 1852 – 1909 – 1955 – 1980 –
