In 1966 when the song came out the four teachers involved worked in St Thomas's Secondary School on the Whiterock Road. The late Eamon McGirr, from Feeny in Co. Derry, taught me maths and science. He also featured in the Guinness Book of Records for non- stop singing. Those were great days in the old school.
you can say what you want but it was guinness family who payed for nelsons pilar he gave 5000 at the time for it and guinness is drank by us bycott the drink
Jeez I remember this song well.Everybody sang it but mostly because Gerry Burns lived 2 doors from us.Think his mate in the group moved to New York and opened a pub.Good old days with memorable music.
Saor Eire was a left communist grouping within the IRA from the 1930's until1969 when the provo's were formed. P O'Neil signed the claim for Nelson's column, which means the IRA claimed it as their action.
See the wikipedia entry for an explanation of the group & when it operated which is quick & straightforward but a google search gives a number of articles about Saor Eire.
The column was an affront to older republicans as you know. The Irish Press wrote that "retired" IRA volunteers wanted to demolish the pillar in the run up to the commemoration of 50th anniversary 1966 But the comrade in charge of the cache was showing signs of dementia and couldn't recall where the material was dumped!
P O'Neil claimed it &it was recorded as an IRA job
SE was communist which upset old IRA men.There was a lot of rivalry
It was made up of far left IRA men who had defected, Saor Eire was very close to certain TD's and was instumental in importing weapons for northern Defence Committees.
You appear to be mixing up Saoe Uladh and Saor Eire.
This comment has received too many negative votesshow
A disgraceful episode!
A tragic loss to the architecture and heritage of Dublin. Dublin lost it's heart that night, and what's replaced the pillar the so called 'Spire of Dublin' is a complete nothing!
Crap lyrics and they couldn't even come up with an original tune.
Dublin Lost a horrid reminder of a Past of Exploitation And Imperialism? What the Hell are you talking about lol. I admit the SPire is a Piece of SHit, But My God. I HOPE THE REMAINS OF NELSON WERE BURNED!
Seven students from the National College of Art and Design stole the statue's head on St. Patrick's Day from a storage shed. They leased the head for £200 a month to an antiques dealer in London for his shop window. It also appeared in a women's stocking commercial and on the stage of the Olympia Theatre with The Dubliners. The students finally gave the head to the Lady Nelson of the day about six months after taking it
Yes, They should of Built a Pillar with An Irish hero on it. Like Padraig pearse or Wolfe tone. Not a big bloody Spike lol. I mean what does it represent? Its like they were in a rush to just put anything up there quickly!
My dad was "the late great" Gerry Burns. He was still performing regualarly until his sudden death in June 07. He will be happy that the performance continues on youtube!
This was the bands most commercial success but they did some other great folk and rebel songs!
Other tracks are still available through various emerald record compilations.
went to Ireland in 1972 to visit Mom's homeland. Grew up on IRA songs and this was one of my fav's. One of My Mom's cousins was in the group, Hello Eamon! They came and played at my cousins house in Emyvale, County Monaghan. Long live the memories, long love the country. long live the IRISH ! Ireland forever!!!
Thanks for this vid... I've never heard it before. My best friend went to St Pat's school in Lisburn where his teacher was one of the band, but I forget the guys name. Must ask my friend who he was.
can still see ma da singing and dancing to this song,and me and my brothers to in 1966
MrThedark1 1 month ago
Neson was a brave and great man,a true hero,why blow him up?
captaincomputa 7 months ago
my grannie sang in this band for a while
deltabomb 7 months ago
the one person who disliked this was most likely fukkin british
SuckMyFarts 9 months ago
In 1966 when the song came out the four teachers involved worked in St Thomas's Secondary School on the Whiterock Road. The late Eamon McGirr, from Feeny in Co. Derry, taught me maths and science. He also featured in the Guinness Book of Records for non- stop singing. Those were great days in the old school.
9mrmac 1 year ago
Erin go braugh!!
mattcooper4taoiseach 1 year ago
I loved this as a kid on my summer hols in kilkenny '66!
SeldomSheBoredMe 1 year ago
mind blowing stuff!
jimdoyles 1 year ago
my old 'high school' teachers. RIP Eamonn.
RAYCOLLINS 2 years ago
the way our countries run it would probably still be their if the ira hadent blown it up
IRISHMAN1798 2 years ago 3
This comment has received too many negative votes show
i would make them rebuild that mmonument and blow up the memorials of james connoly and make a song about that.
bobslay12 2 years ago
you can say what you want but it was guinness family who payed for nelsons pilar he gave 5000 at the time for it and guinness is drank by us bycott the drink
thefightingirish1919 2 years ago
dosent matter now the guinness family dosent own it any more
IRISHMAN1798 2 years ago
One of many popular songs including, 'We're off to Dblin in The Green', 'The Ducks of Macherlin',
'My Mother she was Orange my Father he was Green' etc..
For those that are interested the A side 'Up Went Nelson'... B side is ''The Famine Song'. Released in 1966 Emerald Vogue Records Ltd London
kemosabi0109 2 years ago
a great song
tomhamilton8 2 years ago
Jeez I remember this song well.Everybody sang it but mostly because Gerry Burns lived 2 doors from us.Think his mate in the group moved to New York and opened a pub.Good old days with memorable music.
shannaghlad 2 years ago
Omg these ppl singin were ma dadz 4 teatherz:D i woz so shocked when he told me. i woz listening to the nd he said there were my teacherz:D
lizzie4bill 2 years ago
Just in case anyone gets any ideas the IRA have never been defeated. So i'd watch what i was saying if i was you.
kipstrange 2 years ago
Calm down, lad!
GalacticCowboy 2 years ago
it was the ira that done that.
jameskeenan2 3 years ago
one of the guys in this song taught me at school and was my junior headmaster fantastic song
wingchun71 3 years ago
It wasn't the IRA that did it
03currand03 3 years ago
No it was the UDA
arsehole
No1barney1 2 years ago
It was Saor Eire you prick
03currand03 2 years ago
Saor Eire was a left communist grouping within the IRA from the 1930's until1969 when the provo's were formed. P O'Neil signed the claim for Nelson's column, which means the IRA claimed it as their action.
See the wikipedia entry for an explanation of the group & when it operated which is quick & straightforward but a google search gives a number of articles about Saor Eire.
purple helmet
No1barney1 2 years ago
Didn't saor eire get revived between 67 and 75
03currand03 2 years ago
A chara
Yes you're right
The column was an affront to older republicans as you know. The Irish Press wrote that "retired" IRA volunteers wanted to demolish the pillar in the run up to the commemoration of 50th anniversary 1966 But the comrade in charge of the cache was showing signs of dementia and couldn't recall where the material was dumped!
P O'Neil claimed it &it was recorded as an IRA job
SE was communist which upset old IRA men.There was a lot of rivalry
Respect -
Neart le cheile
No1barney1 2 years ago
It wasn't part of the IRA.
It was made up of far left IRA men who had defected, Saor Eire was very close to certain TD's and was instumental in importing weapons for northern Defence Committees.
You appear to be mixing up Saoe Uladh and Saor Eire.
MarkyMarkDCU 2 years ago
realy ql song :)
urssulas 3 years ago
What are you talking about the spire is a savage piece of work!! I love it..!
RosserD18 3 years ago
My fav Rebel song!!
SuedeMod 3 years ago 4
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Songs like this make me embarrassed to be Irish! An anthem to Philistinism!
Wansteadskyblue 3 years ago
To be there at that time would be GREAT
uniplantboy 3 years ago 3
As long as you weren't too close!
ajferet 3 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
A disgraceful episode!
A tragic loss to the architecture and heritage of Dublin. Dublin lost it's heart that night, and what's replaced the pillar the so called 'Spire of Dublin' is a complete nothing!
Crap lyrics and they couldn't even come up with an original tune.
Wansteadskyblue 3 years ago
Dublin Lost a horrid reminder of a Past of Exploitation And Imperialism? What the Hell are you talking about lol. I admit the SPire is a Piece of SHit, But My God. I HOPE THE REMAINS OF NELSON WERE BURNED!
darrin42 3 years ago
they were dumped in a valley in wicklow.
Seven students from the National College of Art and Design stole the statue's head on St. Patrick's Day from a storage shed. They leased the head for £200 a month to an antiques dealer in London for his shop window. It also appeared in a women's stocking commercial and on the stage of the Olympia Theatre with The Dubliners. The students finally gave the head to the Lady Nelson of the day about six months after taking it
MarkyMarkDCU 3 years ago
Wow, that head had one hell of a Life! I bet it was glad to be off old Nelsons Shoulders!
darrin42 3 years ago 4
??????????????? what
kargwain187 3 years ago
Up the Kilkenny Cats!
WizardArtist 3 years ago 4
and they replaced it with another fucking eyesore!!
I think he Spike needs a similar treatment!
MarkyMarkDCU 4 years ago 16
Yes, They should of Built a Pillar with An Irish hero on it. Like Padraig pearse or Wolfe tone. Not a big bloody Spike lol. I mean what does it represent? Its like they were in a rush to just put anything up there quickly!
darrin42 3 years ago 3
It represents a giant, ugly tooth pick lol
jambo310 3 years ago 2
UP WENT NELSON AND THE PILLAR, TOO!
ireland88 4 years ago 8
I'm a Protestant and I just love this song
tamhamilton 4 years ago 18
Well done Machree01 !
My dad was "the late great" Gerry Burns. He was still performing regualarly until his sudden death in June 07. He will be happy that the performance continues on youtube!
This was the bands most commercial success but they did some other great folk and rebel songs!
Other tracks are still available through various emerald record compilations.
Cheers and thanks!
ejburns1 4 years ago 7
Great Song
thedawnofliberty 4 years ago 6
went to Ireland in 1972 to visit Mom's homeland. Grew up on IRA songs and this was one of my fav's. One of My Mom's cousins was in the group, Hello Eamon! They came and played at my cousins house in Emyvale, County Monaghan. Long live the memories, long love the country. long live the IRISH ! Ireland forever!!!
irish661 4 years ago 5
Thanks for posting this song! Have been looking for it for years! was begining to think I imagined it!
ANE32 4 years ago 6
Thanks for posting a great powerful song.
kllygrg 4 years ago 6
This song has been stuck in my head for a while and I've found myself singing it on random occasions. It's a good song!
HaulAwayJoe 4 years ago 5
OMG I remember this in '66. I'm 47 now, loved this and others on that special holiday.
iamthepig 4 years ago 6
I heard about this song while trying to find information of Lord Nelson and his statue. I also love Tommy Makem's "Lord Nelson".
HaulAwayJoe 4 years ago 3
Well done Decky, great sound effects at the start.
Now will anybody be brave and do the same to 'The Spire' ?
catalpa 4 years ago 2
Thanks for this vid... I've never heard it before. My best friend went to St Pat's school in Lisburn where his teacher was one of the band, but I forget the guys name. Must ask my friend who he was.
lreland1 4 years ago 4
I think it was sung by {The Late Gerry Burns,RIP.} Finbar Carolan, John Sullivan and Eamonn McGirr, It was one of these four.
machree01 4 years ago 2
Excellent. Mr Carolan was his name. Thanks for that.
lreland1 4 years ago 4