The Islands of Ireland | Scoil Acla | Des Cafferkey, Maria Hartnett & Cian McNamara

"The Islands of Ireland" performed by Des Cafferkey and Maria Hartnett, accompanied by Cian McNamara. Recorded at the John "Twin" McNamara Recognition Night held during the 2023 Scoil Acla Summer School. #JohnTwin #ScoilAcla23 _____________________________________________ Lyrics: The islands of Ireland, on lake and on sea, Have a magic and a charm, they’re steeped in history ; But of all those lovely islands, the pearl of the sea Is that island, Achill island, home, sweet home to me. Down through the ages you’ve been lashed by the waves, From the wild Atlantic Ocean that formed your caves, They have moulded your inlets, your strands and your bays, Still your headlands stand firm in the teeth of the gales. There’s the place where I was born many, many years ago, In those days when emigration forced the young and old to go, And I’m hoping and I’m praying to return and feel free, On that island, Achill island, home, sweet home to me. The Storied Hy-Brasil it briefly appears, From the mist on the ocean once in every seven years, And when you’re in Achill in the beautiful West, You may catch one rare glance of that Isle of the Blest. The flowered Gougane Barra, Lake Isle of Inishfree, Off the coast of Connemara those famous islands three, Up north lies stormy Rathlin, south peaceful Inis Clear, Lambay, Aranmore and Tory, Inishboffin, Turk and Clare. Sadly many now abandoned, Gola, Blasket, Inis Gé, And historic Inis Glóire, ancient home of Clanna Lir, But of Ireland’s lovely islands, the pearl of the sea Is that island, Achill island, home, sweet home to me. West stands mighty Croughaun with its lake Corrymore, Let your eyes take a wander, they’ll meet the grand Slievemore, Standing tall as a monument to all gone before From their homeland, Achill island, to that heavenly shore. Not forgetting scenic Minaun, those Cathedral Cliffs so blue, Mountains decked with purple heather and ferns of russet hue, The houses are still white-washed, the currachs plough the sea, On that island, Achill island, home, sweet home to me. It’s the place where I was born many, many years ago, In those days when emigration forced the young and old to go, And I’m longing and I’m praying to return and feel free, On that island, Achill island, home, sweet home to me. John McNamara, N.T., Dooagh.