Many Irish myths and legends include mentions of hounds. The most famous involves the Celtic hero Cuchulainn (The Hound of Ulster) or (The Hound of Culann) who stroked a blacksmith’s Celtic hound with his bare hands. When Culann, the blacksmith asked who would now guard his shop the young Cuchulainn offered to take the dog’s place thus gaining himself the title of ‘The hound of Culann’. The offer was turned down and Cuchulainn went on to become one of the greatest warrior legends of that era, but the nickname stuck. Other famous Irish hounds were Bran and Seolan who belonged to the warrior, Fionn mac Cumhaill. The mother of Bran and Sceolan was Tuiren, and was Fionn Mac Cumhaill’s aunt, transformed into a hound by a fairy or Sidhe. [via]
Tag: St. Patrick’s Day
Saturday Matinee – Erin Go Bleaugh! To Hell with the Mnathan Nighe!
Clever cover of cover of Paul Anka’s “Lonely Boy” by Mnozil Brass [via].
Since Sunday (tomorrow) is Saint Patrick’s Day, we might as well get into the spirits.
We Have No Heads!! Jeff Donohoe (Tin Whistle/Slapped-Bass/Vocals) and Mike Grimes (Guitar/Vocals). Playing unplugged (except for the Bass). Drinkin and pukin at Jeff’s place in Albuquerque NM on Feb. 25 2009.
The Fenians were a great bar band at The Harp, and I’m glad they’ve made it to bigger venues.
Dropkick Murphys featuring Liza Graves of Civet.
What a classic to wrap up The Saturday Matinee.
Scare off the bean sídhe and have a great weekend folks.
Saturday Matinee – Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy, The Fenians, Gaelic Storm & The Pogues
Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy singing “Mary Mack” at National Stadium, Dublin, February 1977.
The Fenians‘ “Token Whiskey Song.” We followed Terry Casey & Co. back when they were the house band at The Harp. Good peeps, all of ’em. (Their version of “Rattlin’ Bog” is one of my favorites because they added some verses.)
Gaelic Storm‘s Patrick Murphy tells the tale leading up to the classic Irish traditional song “The Night I Punched Russell Crowe In The Head.”
What’s St. Patrick’s Day without a Pogues vid? Dare you to figure out what Shane McGowan is, um, singing.
That should keep you set for a bit while I dodge out for some Harp Lager and Mulligan Stew. Have a great St. Patrick’s Day, see you back here first thing Sunday.
[Related posts here, and don’t miss the story behind Nell Flaherty’s Drake.]
Happy St. Patrick’s Day
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!
Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Tommy Makem and the Clancy Brothers sang a version of this. I’d post the song here, except that I lent the CD to a man named Martois a coupla years ago and never got it back. (Hunt him down, my friends, and make him cough it up.)
If you can’t read it proper, here’s the transcription, with Irish slang help from THE Eoin Shalloo, after the break. (Thanks Mr. S.) Continue reading “Happy St. Patrick’s Day!”


