Noreen Bawn’s cottage is the home of Bridget Gallagher whose death was rumoured to be the inspiration behind the famous song Noreen Bawn. Noreen Bawn was written by Creeslough poet Niall Mac Giolla Bhride, in the early 20th century. McBride was inspired by the plight of many Irish emigrants, and the song became a beloved piece of Irish folk music, made famous by the Creeslough singer Bridie Gallagher and has been covered many times since by others such as Daniel O Donnell and Roly Daniels.
Noreen Bawn by Niall Mac Giolla Bhride
There’s a glen in old Tír Chonnaill, there’s a cottage in that glen,
Where there dwelt an Irish colleen, who inspired the hearts of men. She was handsome hale and hearty, shy and graceful like the dawn, And they loved the widow’s daughter, handsome laughing Noreen Bawn.
Till one day there came a letter, with her passage paid to go,
To the land where the Missouri, and the Mississippi flow.
So she said good-bye to Erin, and next morning with the dawn,This poor widow broken hearted, parted with her Noreen Bawn.
Many years the widow waited, till one morning to her door,
Came a tender-hearted woman, costly were the clothes she wore.
Saying “mother don’t you know me tho’ I’m frail tis but a cold”,
But her cheeks were flushed and scarlet, and another tale they told.
There’s a graveyard in Tir Connaill, where the flowers wildly wave,
There’s a grey-haired mother kneeling, o’er a green and lonely grave.
And my Noreen she is saying, it’s been lonely since you’ve gone,
‘Twas the curse of immigration, laid you here my Noreen Bawn.
Now fond youths and tender maidens, ponder well before you go,
From your humble homes in Erin, what’s beyond you’ll never know.
What is gold and what is silver, when your health and strength are gone,
When you speak of immigration, won’t you think of Noreen Bawn.
You can listen to Creeslough singer Bridie Gallagher sing Noreen Bawn below.
In 2012 locals gathered in Carnamaddy at Noreen Bawn’s Cottage and at Doe graveyard to unveil a memorial for Bridget Gallagher. You can watch the video below.
