The song is a wonderfully exaggerated piece of political satire, inspired by an RTÉ investigation in the Ballinamore area during the speculation surrounding the disappearance of the racehorse Shergar. The reporter’s suspicions grow increasingly absurd as local people decline to speak, apparently offering little more than “No comment”.
Ballinamore—and ultimately all of County Leitrim—is humorously portrayed as a hotbed of rebellion, where everyone from the post office staff to the farm animals is implicated. The song’s style and structure echo the earlier satirical rebel song “The Man from the Daily Mail”.
Christy Moore released “The Ballad of Ballinamore” in 1984 as a promotional single accompanying his album “Ride On”. It was subsequently included as “Ballinamore” in “The Box Set: 1964–2004
Song Details
- Songwriter: Fintan Vallely
- Place: Ballinamore and County Leitrim
- Theme: Political satire, media portrayal, republicanism and local humour
- Singer on this recording: Christy Moore
- Recording: The Box Set: 1964–2004
- Original release: The Ballad of Ballinamore, 1984
- Video: Official recording provided to YouTube by Sony Music UK
Listen to Christy
The Leitrim Larks 