"The Cliffs of Dooneen" is an Irish ballad made famous
by Planxty. It is often performed by Christy Moore. The
song was written by Jack McAuliffe from Lixnaw, County
Kerry about the cliffs around Dooneen Point near Beale,
Kerry in the west of Ireland. The mention of the west
coast of County Clare and the towns of Kilkee and
Kilrush have made the song a County Clare anthem, with
the words "Cliffs of Dooneen" often changed to "Hills
of Moveen", a location a few miles west of Kilkee. This
has led t...(+)
"The Cliffs of Dooneen" is an Irish ballad made famous
by Planxty. It is often performed by Christy Moore. The
song was written by Jack McAuliffe from Lixnaw, County
Kerry about the cliffs around Dooneen Point near Beale,
Kerry in the west of Ireland. The mention of the west
coast of County Clare and the towns of Kilkee and
Kilrush have made the song a County Clare anthem, with
the words "Cliffs of Dooneen" often changed to "Hills
of Moveen", a location a few miles west of Kilkee. This
has led to confusion over the location of the cliffs
which some assume to be in Clare rather than in Kerry.
In September 2010 the confusion was mentioned in a
lighthearted Irishman's Diary article which provoked
responses from the public in the follow up article.
Dooneen Point is clearly marked on the historic
Ordnance Survey of Ireland map. The cliffs themselves
can also be seen from satellite photos.
Some doubt the ability to see both Kilkee (on the north
of the Clare peninsula) and Kilrush (on the south of
the Clare peninsula) from North Kerry. The following
photographs taken from the same spot show Beale, Kerry
in the foreground with Clare towns in the distance.
The late Liam Buckley who was born in the cottage
immediately adjacent to the Cliffs of Dooneen has
stated the poem was penned by Jack McAuliffe who had
travelled from Lixnaw to Beale to visit his sister.
Jack had spent time with locals in the fields above and
shore below the cliffs. He then visited Bill and Nell
Buckley's cottage, known as "99" a few hundred metres
away - for tea and scones. Liam was told by his mother
(Jack's host) that the poem was written at the kitchen
window of the cottage. Liam says the poem was put to
music years later by a local musician. Liam did not
know the date the poem was written but he remembers it
from the 1930s.
A variation of Liam Buckley's account from Jack
McAuliffe's niece also exists which suggests it was
written in the adjoining cottage occupied by Bob Boyle.
Source: Wikipedia
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cliffs_of_Dooneen).
Although originally written for Traditional Irish
instruments, I created this Interpretation of the Irish
Ballad "The Cliffs of Dooneen" for Flute, Oboe & Celtic
or Concert (Pedal Harp).
(by Magatagan, Mike)14x⬇ 10x
SHEET MUSIC