- Lovely Leitrim: A nostalgic ballad expressing the longing of an Irish emigrant for their homeland, specifically County Leitrim. It describes the beauty of Lough Allen, the River Shannon, Carrick-on-Shannon, Sheemore, Fenagh, and Selton Hill, capturing the county’s serene landscapes and historical resonance. Written by Philip Fitzpatrick (1892–1947), an NYPD patrolman from Aughavas, Leitrim, who wrote it as an emigrant in the 1930s. Popularized by Larry Cunningham in 1965, it became a number-one hit in Ireland.
- The Holland Handkerchief: A traditional Irish ballad (Child #272) about a supernatural love story, often associated with Leitrim through singer Mary McPartlan’s rendition. It tells of a young man haunted by his lover’s ghost, with Leitrim’s mystical landscape as a backdrop. Traditional, with no single known author; performed by Mary McPartlan, a Leitrim native, on her album The Holland Handkerchief.
- Petticoat Loose: Inspired by a Leitrim folk tale from Anne O’Connor’s book The Blessed and the Damned, this song recounts the story of a mischievous witch who drinks, taunts priests, and dances wildly. It reflects Leitrim’s folklore and rural character. Written by Vincent Woods, a Leitrim poet and playwright, for Mary McPartlan’s 2008 album Petticoat Loose.
- Sanctuary: A reflective song exploring the personal and familial roots of the singer, set against Leitrim’s rugged landscape. It delves into themes of home, memory, and connection to the county’s soil. Written by Vincent Woods, written for Mary McPartlan’s album Petticoat Loose.
- Kiss The Moon: A poetic ballad evoking Leitrim’s landscapes and emotional ties to family and place, with a focus on the county’s natural beauty and personal history. Written by Vincent Woods, for Mary McPartlan’s 2008 album Petticoat Loose.
- The County of Leitrim: A traditional harp air, this instrumental piece evokes the serene and historical essence of Leitrim. It was played by 95-year-old harper Denis O’Hampsey in 1792, reflecting the county’s musical heritage. Traditional, attributed to Denis O’Hampsey (Donnchadh a Haimpsuigh).
- The Leitrim Larks Project Songs (Various, e.g., local ballads): A collection of traditional songs sourced from Leitrim’s communities, revived through Fionnuala Maxwell’s Leitrim Larks project. These songs, specific to areas like Dromod, Carrick-on-Shannon, Drumshanbo, Drumkeerin, Manorhamilton, and Ballinamore, often explore local history, emigration, or folklore. Traditional, collected by Fionnuala Maxwell, a Leitrim singer and folklorist. Performers include local singers like Ronnie Duignan and Carole Coleman.
- The Man From The Daily Mail: A humorous folk song about Leitrim’s rural life, often associated with the county’s traditional music scene. It pokes fun at outsiders’ perceptions of the area, referencing local culture and resilience. Traditional, with versions covered by artists like Dervish and Paddy Reilly, linked to Leitrim’s musical heritage.
- Barbara Allen (Leitrim Version): A traditional ballad about unrequited love and death, adapted from a version collected in Leitrim by Tom Munnelly. It resonates with the county’s oral tradition and haunting storytelling style. Traditional, performed a cappella by Mary McPartlan and her nieces on Petticoat Loose.
- The Stolen Child (Musical Settings): While primarily a poem by W.B. Yeats, this work, inspired by Leitrim’s Glencar waterfall and its “wander water,” has been set to music by various artists. It explores fairy lore and the mystical allure of Leitrim’s landscape, with themes of enchantment and loss. Written by Lyrics by William Butler Yeats (1886), with musical adaptations by artists like The Waterboys.
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 Leitrim:
Ireland’s county Leitrim is a haven of waterways and unspoilt scenery, with the Shannon-Erne Waterway offering tranquil boating and fishing opportunities. Carrick-on-Shannon’s historic Costello Chapel and vibrant marina provide cultural and leisurely appeal, while Glencar Waterfall adds natural beauty. Leitrim is Ireland’s seventh smallest county by size (1,525 square km) and smallest by population (35,199). Population peaked at 155,297 in 1841 and reached its lowest point, 25,057 in 1996. In terms of hospitality, Leitrim is Ireland’s 29th most visited tourist county with around 39,000 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 –
