Ballad of Patricia McKay

Patricia McKay (nee Kelly) was a 20 year old Official IRA Volunteer who was killed in action against the British Army in west Belfast on 29 September 1972. A deeply committed Republican Socialist activist and soldier, she is still held in high regard by the people of the Falls Road, her home area, and other Republicans in Belfast.
The song was written by Seoirse MacDomhnaill, a former member of the Official Republican Movement, and is performed by Kevin Donleavy, another veteran Republican Socialist on vocals, and his friend Rich Lange on guitar.
The tin whistle heard in the brief introduction once belonged to Patricia's comrade, Official IRA Volunteer Billy Doran ("Billy HaHa"), RIP, of Belfast. He played it while a Prisoner of War in Crumlin Road Gaol and Long Kesh.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Irish
• Rebel
• Songs
• Official
• IRA
• Patricia
• McKay
• Ballad of Patricia McKay
• IrishRepublican
• Army
• irish
• Republican
• Belfast
• Kevin
• Donleavy

[eyeries1]

True. And this old tune has been used for many songs over the years, including Shanagolden, and also the old popular song The 12th Of Never.

[dan1919breen]

nise one i heard the tune before the feilds of shanagolden i think,nice tribute,

[eyeries1]

It is indeed the same tune Sean McCarthy, the great Kerry songwriter, used for his "Shanagolden".

It is actually a very ancient folk melody, and paradoxically is probably of English origin. Many people will recognise it as the tune used for the popular song "The Twelfth of Never".

[josparkes]

Very sad, I have heard this tune before from Peggy Sweeney who sings a song (about someone called darling Willy) The past is what shapes the future and the attitudes of people In ireland, re that past, and it can't be erased, and to see both sides of the coin is not always easy but should be done by us all.

Norfolk UK

Irish fan with Irish Grandfather

aged 59 !

[eyeries1]

Yes, Josparkes, Peggy Sweeney, a fine Kerry singer, recorded a song that has this same tune, and from which I borrowed for the structure of this song.

That other song is called Shanagolden, and was written by Sean McCarthy, a famouse Kerry songwriter. He personally chose Peggy Sweeney to record a compilation of his best known songs. It is available online, I think, and also some are here on Youtube. The actual tune is an ancient folk tune of English origin. Many popular songs use it.

[eyeries1]

J.K.- Thanks so much for your comments.

They mean a great deal coming as they do from Patricia's nephew. She was a valiant soldier and a Civil RIghts pioneer and a dedicated worker for social justice in Ireland and worldwide. As for the photo of the young woman with the rifle, I got it online, and have seen it in many places, but I do not know anything about the history behind the photo. It is indeed a great visual testimony to the heroism of our Irish Republican women.

[workerspartyD10]

Great work comrade keep them coming

[ogairbhith]

great song!!

[shteamroller]

@josparkes ..........if you liked the Peggy Sweeney music tape, you would enjoy the video

she made about the great singer songwriter Sean Mc Carthy, I would recommend it.

Thanks to Eyeries1.... I didnt know the history behind the air to this song..(learning something new every day)..........................­.rest in peace the noble Patricia Mc Kay..

[wglovett]

The tune comes from the cenruries old English folk song called ''the riddle''.

Brilliant song this,lets hope she is never forgotten.

[bgraybhoy]

god bless the sticks that gave there life but cant forgiv them for seting up vol jim bryson and his comrade paddy tiocfaidh ar la

[beirbua1916]

she will always be rememberd as a brave vol!!O.R.M

[josparkes]

Peggy Sweeney has a beautiful voice. Sean Mc Carthy's sister had an appalling experience when she had a baby, in the days when it was condemned, and she was rejected by the church. The song about her broke my heart when I heard it. It's called Shame love in Shame, and is so poignant and sad, but very lovely

I will try and send it to you later.

Norfolk UK