The Maid from Castlefore

During The Leitrim Larks’ 2024 Heritage Week Song Tour, we stopped at Castlefore Lake to sing, admire the landscape and explore some of the area’s history. From the fifteenth century, Castlefore was associated with the O’Duigenan family, renowned historians and chroniclers involved in the writing of the Annals. It was also home to the O’Boy family. More than a century ago, William O’Boy drew inspiration from the locality when he wrote this ballad in praise of The Maid from Castlefore.

The words of the song are preserved in the Dúchas Folklore Collection. More recently, Fionnuala Maxwell recorded the song and created an accompanying video featuring scenes from Castlefore. Through The Leitrim Larks, she has taught it to singers from Ireland and further afield, and it has since been heard in the voices of American, Japanese and Irish participants—bringing William O’Boy’s local ballad into living circulation once again.

Song Details

• Songwriter: William O’Boy
• Place: Castlefore, County Leitrim
• Theme: Place, love, politics and admiration
• Archival source: Dúchas Folklore Collection
• Singer on this recording: Fionnuala Maxwell
• Recorded by: Fionnuala Maxwell
• Video: Featuring scenes from Castlefore

Listen

Lyrics

As I rode out on a summer’s morning as the day was dawning to take the air,
I espied a damsel both fair and handsome and she advancing with her golden hair.
I viewed her beauty with admiration, no other fair maid I do adore.
If I don’t gain her, let none disdain her, she’s the blooming fair one from Castlefore.

Being a humble peasant, not educated, but captivated as you may see.
I can’t describe her virgin beauty, without perusing on history.
I read of Paris and chaste Diana and Cleopatra in the days of yore.
I saw none can equal this matchless creature, she’s the blooming fair one from Castlefore.

Had Pharaoh seen her when in his glory, the Grecian queen he would despise.
He’d never trample on king Menelaus nor give to Venus the golden prize.
He’d collect his forces and cross the ocean and land the Trojans on Erin’s shore.
He then would wander like the famed Leander to seek the grandeur of Castlefore.

Had the great O’Connell seen this fair lady when his monster meetings he carried on
In different stations he’d challenge nations to find an equal for this lovely one.
He’d call a meeting in this fair one’s honour where Saint Caillin’s banner does proudly soar.
And spread her fame in the nation’s papers and circulate it around Castlefore.

Now to end my praises, I will spend my days in a silent stupor and a reverie.
But to every maiden of virtue laden, I will not deny you my company.
But I pray don’t envy this virtuous fair one, though once the pride of Erin’s shore.
Although you’re a beauty be somewhat eclipsed by this blooming fair one from Castlefore.

Sources & Credits

• Words: William O’Boy
• Archival source:Dúchas Folklore Collection
• Performance and recording: Fionnuala Maxwell
• Video and contextual research: Fionnuala Maxwell