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The Plunketts had long held the stronghold of Castlecome in Armagh.
Yet the poem goes on to observe that now only Eleanor of all her
relations survives in the area. It is said that 30 persons of that
family were hold up in the castle of Castlecome where they were
killed by boiling water.
The Plunketts, like many other Catholic families, lost their lands in
the Cromwellian plantation. Eleanor's grandfather, Francis, then had
to take a long lease on the former Plunkett lands of Armagh and Moate
from the new owners, the Taylors of Headfort in Kells.
When Francis died in 1682 his wife Catherine had a monument erected to
his memory in St Bridget's churchyard, Robertstown. It may be seen to
this day.
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'Neilí an chúil chraobhaigh, a bhfuil do dhá shiúil ar dhath an fhéir ghlais Ag éirghe dhon lá, Ó! nach bréagh dham seo a rádh,
'S gur tú do shliocht na bhfear éifeacht
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Nellie of the flowing hair, whose two eyes are the color of the green grass Arising to the day, O! isn't it nice for me this to say,
That, it is you, of the line of accomplished men
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* I get the sense that the poet is making it clear that the current
owners of the Armagh estates are merely usurpers/corrupters, and are not entitled to the fame
that was the legacy of Armagh. The false claim ("breig" ) by the
Taylors, (current, illegitimate owners), to the legacy of Armagh, is
denied by the poet. That fame having been truly won, and justly
claimed, by the Gael, through the great gallantry of their deeds...
Frank Osborne.
It was said that while Carolan was composing this song and playing it on his harp that he was interrupted by Eleanor's coachman who said: "I often heard some of them words before in other songs." Carolan full of resentment sought his staff and made an offer to strike the man - and said in angry words neither you nor any other person will ever hear more of it but what is already composed."
Source: O'Sullivan's 2024 edition of Bunting's 1796-1840 publications,
published in Journal of the Irish Folk Song Society.
Replay background music: Eleanor Plunkett  Filleadh go liosta Back to Carolan Tunes List |
