Gleanntáin Ghlas’ Ghaoth Dobhair
Green Glens of GweedoreThis song was written by Irish musician Proinsias Ó Maonaigh (Francie Mooney) about his hometown of Gaoth Dobhair in County Donegal. Altan’s version of the song appears on their 1997 album Runaway Sunday. Irish singer Paul Brady has recorded the song on numerous occasions. Same tune as Paddy’s Green Shamrock Shore.
Proinsias was a fiddler from Gweedore (Gaoth Dobhair), County Donegal. He is known for his distinguished fiddle playing and his unique and vast contribution to Irish music and culture. He was a son of famous musician from the area Róise Mhór who would have played with an Píobaire Mór Tarlach Mac Suibhne. It was an Irish speaking household and traditional music was nurtured within the home and they were taught many Irish songs.
His daughter Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh is the lead and founding member of internationally recognised group Altan. His son Gearóid is also well known locally for his musical talents, as well as his love of Irish traditional music. Gearóid and other family members, such as Ann Mooney, are also heavily involved in organizing musical events locally such as the world-famous Scoil Gheimhridh Frankie Kennedy.
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English
Farewell to stately mountains
Of dear old Donegal
And twice farewell
To Errigal hill
As it towers o'er ash tree and rowen
As I passed through
The glen by Dunlewey Lake
With waters so peaceful and calm
With an ache in my heart
I was forced to depart
From Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair
As I journeyed on
Through Glendowan's hills
With Muckish to the rear
With a heart full of pain I felt no shame
'Twas there that I shed bitter tears
I was bound for the shores of America
Far across the wild raging foam
I bade farewell
For a spell to Donegal
And Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair
'Twas never my play to travel afar
From my own beloved land
But the intrigue and the guile
Of the tyrant's hand forced me to leave my home
'Twas the wish of my heart to return again
If I could get money in store
And my days there to end
among the relations and friends
Around the Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair
Farewell, farewell to Donegal
That county sweet and fair
And to her brave men when the enemy came
Never cowered or bowed to the Gall
I hold in esteem all those women and men
And all children big and small
That dwell there in peace without worry or grief
In Gleanntáin Ghlas' Ghaoth Dobhair