Lovely Leitrim

"Lovely Leitrim" is a 1966 country song written by Philip Fitzpatrick and performed by Irish showband singer Larry Cunningham and his band, The Mighty Avons. The song is a ballad in waltz time.[1]

"Lovely Leitrim"
Single by Larry Cunningham
B-side"There's That Smile Again"
ReleasedSeptember 1965
Recorded1965
StudioEamonn Andrews Studios
Genrecountry
Length2:36
LabelKing Records / R & B Discs Ltd
Songwriter(s)Philip Fitzpatrick
Producer(s)Noel Kelehan (musical director)

Lyrics

The song is written from the point of the view of a member of the Irish diaspora dreaming that he has returned to County Leitrim, Ireland. Sites in the county mentioned include Lough Allen, the River Shannon, Carrick-on-Shannon, Sheemore and Fenagh.[2]

Song history

"Lovely Leitrim" was written by Irish emigrant NYPD patrolman Philip Fitzpatrick (1892–1947), a native of Aughavas, County Leitrim.[3] The singer Larry Cunningham was actually from nearby County Longford, not from Leitrim; his mother taught him the song.[4]

"Lovely Leitrim" was released by Cunningham in September 1965, and was number one on the Irish Singles Chart for two weeks in January 1966. On its success, Cunningham commented that, "Up to then they would throw pennies at you if you were a showband playing a ballad. But 'Lovely Leitrim' changed all that."[4]

The song has also been recorded by Nathan Carter and Bonnie Stewart.[2]

"Lovely Leitrim" is considered the county song of County Leitrim.[5]

References
  1. Curran, Aidan (October 8, 2023). "Larry Cunningham and The Mighty Avons & Strings – 'Lovely Leitrim'".
  2. "Lovely Leitrim Shore Lyrics". Irish folk songs.
  3. "The Irish NYPD patrolman who wrote one of Ireland's most loved ballads". IrishCentral.com. May 31, 2023.
  4. "Showband legend whose 'Lovely Leitrim' made him 1960s star". The Irish Times.
  5. "Ranking the best county GAA songs of all-time (32-1)". SportsJOE.ie. 11 August 2022.
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