A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginni… Read Full Bio ↴A popular and long-running Canadian-Irish folk group that saw their beginning in the 1960s, The Irish Rovers are particularly well-known for their hit recording of Shel Silverstein's "The Unicorn," although a great many more of their characteristically happy and oft-comical songs remain well-known to this day. In 2010, the band celebrated 45 years as recording artists, with their latest CD, "Gracehill Fair" and filming the DVD/television special "Home in Ireland", shot entirely on-location, throughout the northwest coast of Ireland. George Millar says, “It’s basically The Irish Rovers ‘Coming Home’ because this is our home, for all of us. We want to show the world what the northwest Irish coast is like. I’ve traveled the world now for over 40 years and there’s nothing like it.”

In 1968, the predecessor of the Juno’s named The Irish Rovers Canada’s, “Folk Group of the Year”, and the following year, they received a Grammy nomination for “Folk Performance of the Year”.

As hosts of three national television series in Canada and Ireland, through the 1970's and 80s, The Irish Rovers increased the popularity of Irish music by way of the CBC (Canadian Broadcasting Corporation).

Canada's Prime Minister, Pierre Elliott Trudeau, personally asked the band if they could “please become Canadian” so that they could officially represent Canada throughout the world. Since then, they have represented Canada at no less than five world Expos, and in recognition for a quarter century of contributions to the International music world, The Irish Rovers won the Performing Rights Organization's (PROCAN) 'Harold Moon Award'.

Although all members of the band hail from Ireland, a number of their biggest hits were often "non-Irish". Their own rousing, traditional Irish compositions, however, do comprise the bulk of their music.

By the 90’s, their songwriting was even more prolific than their early years, and production of albums wasn’t about to slow down. Since they desired the freedom that as a younger band, they could not afford, in ’93 The Irish Rovers established their own record company, Rover Records. Their songs tell the story of the Irish, whether it’s a lost love, a sailor on leave, or the simple good taste of a Guinness. Rover Records has put out their last eleven albums, including Celtic Collection, Come Fill Up Your Glasses, Down by the Lagan Side, Another Round, Still Rovin', a Christmas album, and their greatest hits, 40 Years A-Rovin'.

Founding member George Millar is from Ballymena, original member Wilcil McDowell is from Larne, John Reynolds from Belfast, Sean O'Driscoll from Cork, Ian Millar from Ballymena, and percussionist Fred Graham is also from Belfast.

Former members include founding member Jimmy Ferguson who passed away in 1997 and Joe Millar.

Dear Ould Ireland
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

In Pennsylvanian woods we've met from one bright island flown.
Great is the land we tread, but yet out heart is with our own.
And ere we leave this shanty small while fades the autumn day,
We'll toast old Ireland dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.

We've heard her faults a hundred times, the new ones and the old.

In songs and sermons, rants andrhymes, enlarged some fifty-fold.
But take them all, the great and small, and this we've got to say:
Here's loved old Ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.

We know that brave and true men tried to crack her rusty chain.
The patriots suffered, the martyrs died, and all 'tis said in vain.
But no boy, no, a glance will show, how far they've won their way.
Here's brave old ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.

We've seen the wedding and the wake, the patron and the fair.
Lithe young frames and the dear old games in the kindly Irish air.
And the loud "Harroo" we have heard it too, and the thundering "Clear the way!"
Here's gay old ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.

In Pennsylvanian woods we've met and may never see again,
The dear old land where our hearts are set and our first fond hopes remain.
But come, fill up another cup, and with every sup we'll say,
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.

Ireland boys hooray, oh Ireland boys hooray
We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.

Overall Meaning

The song "Dear Ould Ireland" by The Irish Rovers is a passionate ode to Ireland by a group of people who have left their homeland to start anew in the United States. The Pennsylvanian woods mentioned in the song evoke a sense of nostalgia for Ireland as the group gathers to reminisce about their home country. Despite living in a great land with various opportunities, the group's heart is still with their own country. The lyrics urge the listeners to toast to old Ireland, to appreciate its faults, and to acknowledge the brave and true men who tried to crack her rusty chain.

The chorus of "Ireland boys hooray" serves as a rallying cry to celebrate and honor the country, no matter the distance from it. The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the various aspects that are loved about Ireland, including the wedding and wake traditions, the patron and fair events, and the old games played in the Irish air. The song acknowledges the struggles of the patriots and martyrs who fought for Ireland's freedom and recognizes that the fight continues even today.

Overall, "Dear Ould Ireland" is a heartfelt tribute to a beloved homeland, and the passion with which it is sung conveys the sense of longing and connection that the emigrants have for their country.

Line by Line Meaning

In Pennsylvanian woods we've met from one bright island flown.
We have gathered together in the forests of Pennsylvania, having left our homeland behind us.

Great is the land we tread, but yet out heart is with our own.
Even though we find ourselves in a wonderful new place, our thoughts and feelings are still with our beloved Ireland.

And ere we leave this shanty small while fades the autumn day,
Before we must depart this humble abode as the daylight dwindles,

We'll toast old Ireland dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
We will raise our glasses in honor of Ireland, our beloved homeland.

We've heard her faults a hundred times, the new ones and the old.
We are aware of the criticisms and complaints about our country, both old and new.

In songs and sermons, rants andrhymes, enlarged some fifty-fold.
These critiques have been expressed in various forms, including music, speeches, and poetry, often exaggerated beyond the truth.

But take them all, the great and small, and this we've got to say:
However, when we consider all of these criticisms, big and small, we must still declare:

Here's loved old Ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
That we deeply love and cherish our country, dear old Ireland.

We know that brave and true men tried to crack her rusty chain.
We are aware that many courageous and honorable individuals have sought to free Ireland from its oppressors.

The patriots suffered, the martyrs died, and all 'tis said in vain.
These patriots endured great suffering and sacrifice, and yet their efforts often seemed to be in vain.

But no boy, no, a glance will show, how far they've won their way.
However, a simple look around us shows how much progress has been made because of their bravery and sacrifice.

Here's brave old ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
We admire the bravery and strength of our country, dear old Ireland.

We've seen the wedding and the wake, the patron and the fair.
We have observed the many traditions and celebrations of our country, including weddings, funerals, patron saints' days, and fairs.

Lithe young frames and the dear old games in the kindly Irish air.
We have seen the young and agile participants in the traditional sports and games that fill the Irish countryside with a joyous atmosphere.

And the loud "Harroo" we have heard it too, and the thundering "Clear the way!"
We have also heard and participated in the enthusiastic shouts and calls of these festive gatherings.

Here's gay old ireland, dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
We celebrate the lively and joyful side of our country, dear old Ireland.

In Pennsylvanian woods we've met and may never see again,
We have come together in this forest in Pennsylvania, possibly for the last time.

The dear old land where our hearts are set and our first fond hopes remain.
We hold our beloved home country dear to our hearts, where our earliest and fondest aspirations were formed.

But come, fill up another cup, and with every sup we'll say,
Let us refill our glasses, and with each sip we will continue to declare:

We'll toast old Ireland, Dear old Ireland, Ireland boys hooray.
We will continue to pay tribute to our beloved and cherished country, old Ireland.

Contributed by Lila F. Suggest a correction in the comments below.

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