"Carrickfergus" is an Irish folk song. The origins of the song are unclear, but it has been traced to an Irish language song, "Do bhà bean uasal" ("There Was a Noblewoman"), which is attested to the poet Cathal Buà Mac Giolla Ghunna, who died in 1745 in County Clare The song appears on a ballad sheet in Cork City in the mid Nineteenth Century in macaronic form. The Cork singer Seán Ã" Sé performs this macaronic version of the song on his album 'Heritage'. The Irish lyrics were about a man being cuckolded, a bawdy and humorous ditty. By contrast, the English lyrics are nostalgic. With the Industrial Revolution, a linen-trade developed between Co. Antrim (where Carrickfergus is situated), and Co. Cork. It is possible the English lyrics came from snatches picked up in interactions with the Ulstermen. In modern times, "Carrickfergus" became known after actor Peter O'Toole related it to Dominic Behan, who put it in print and made a recording in the mid-1960s. The middle verse! was allegedly written by Behan. The song has been recorded by many well known performers including Paddy Reilly, Declan Affley, Joan Baez, Dominic Behan, Charlotte Church, De Dannan, Joe Dassin (as Mon village du bout du monde), The Dubliners, Bryan Ferry, Brian Kennedy, Declan Galbraith, Irish Stew of Sindidun, Lisa Kelly, Loreena McKennitt, Ã"rla Fallon, Van Morrison, Bryn Terfel, Van Morrison and the Chieftains, and Ronan Keating. The song is a popular request at folk festivals and concerts, and was
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