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.
Dunluce Castle
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
On the stormy coast of Antrim, high above the Irish Sea.
Lords and ladies gathered nightly, in the great hall of the king,
Bread and meat and wine did flow, bards would play and poets sing.
McDonald was a chieftain bold, who dwelled in Dunluce with his clan,
Safe from ships upon the ocean, and from raiders on the land.
There he ruled for many years, for Ulster was his wide domain,
Many tried to conquer him, and many men have died in vain.
Dunluce castle fell to no man, sword, or pike, or cannon ball,
Roving clans or Spanish foeman, Dunluce stood against them all.
When a fleet of Spanish raiders sailed across the raging main,
Sure that victory was at hand and glory for the king of Spain.
McDonald met them with full storm, and loudly did the cannons roar,
The tide of Spain was turned away and vanished from the Irish shore.
Then one night a storm came in and loudly did the north wind blow,
Walls of stone came crumblin' down and fell into the sea below.
Fate was cruel as many souls were lost against the raging might,
Nature did what no man could on a dark and stormy night.
Dunluce castle fell to no man, sword, or pike, or cannon ball,
Roving clans or Spanish foeman, Dunluce stood against them all.
The Irish Rovers' song "Dunluce Castle" tells the story of a proud and free castle standing high above the Irish Sea on the stormy coast of Antrim. The lords and ladies would gather in the great hall of the king, where bread, meat, and wine would flow and bards and poets would entertain. McDonald, a chieftain bold, ruled the castle with his clan, safe from ships at sea and raiders on land. For many years, Ulster was his wide domain, and many men died in vain trying to conquer him. The castle was impregnable and fell to no man, sword, or cannonball. Even Spanish raiders were defeated, their victory sure until they were met with full force by McDonald and his cannons, turning the tide of Spain away from the Irish shore.
However, fate proved to be cruel as a storm came in, and the castle's walls came crumblin' down, falling into the sea below. Many souls were lost against the raging might of nature, and the castle that fought so bravely against man was helpless against the elements.
Through the story of Dunluce Castle, The Irish Rovers pay tribute to the strength and resilience of the people of Ireland, who had to contend with both human and natural forces beyond their control.
Line by Line Meaning
Once upon a time in Ireland, stood a castle proud and free,
In the past, there was a castle in Ireland that was cherished for its independence and grandeur.
On the stormy coast of Antrim, high above the Irish Sea.
It was located in Antrim's rough coastal terrain, elevated from the Irish Sea.
Lords and ladies gathered nightly, in the great hall of the king,
The aristocrats, both male and female, congregated each night in the monarch's great hall.
Bread and meat and wine did flow, bards would play and poets sing.
The feast was a lavish affair with endless food, drink, and music entertainment.
McDonald was a chieftain bold, who dwelled in Dunluce with his clan,
The fort was occupied by a fearless leader named McDonald and his extended family.
Safe from ships upon the ocean, and from raiders on the land.
The castle was impregnable against naval fleets and raiders on foot.
There he ruled for many years, for Ulster was his wide domain,
He was able to govern a vast Ulster region for a long period solely due to his stronghold position.
Many tried to conquer him, and many men have died in vain.
Multiple attempts to overcome his reign failed, and countless soldiers lost their lives for the futile cause.
Dunluce castle fell to no man, sword, or pike, or cannon ball,
The castle withstood every form of attack from invaders, including traditional and modern weaponry.
Roving clans or Spanish foeman, Dunluce stood against them all.
Regardless of the raider's identity, they met the same fate when attempting to capture Dunluce.
When a fleet of Spanish raiders sailed across the raging main,
On one occasion, a Spanish fleet crossed the tumultuous sea to invade Dunluce.
Sure that victory was at hand and glory for the king of Spain.
The Spanish were confident that a successful attack would gain recognition for their leader and the country.
McDonald met them with full storm, and loudly did the cannons roar,
McDonald confronted the raiders with full force and an abundance of firepower.
The tide of Spain was turned away and vanished from the Irish shore.
The Spanish retreat, leaving the Irish shore, was attributed to McDonald's victorious defense.
Then one night a storm came in and loudly did the north wind blow,
One fateful night, a violent storm struck the castle, a clear sign of Mother Nature's wrath.
Walls of stone came crumblin' down and fell into the sea below.
The fortress's stone walls succumb to the storm's power, tumbling down into the ocean.
Fate was cruel as many souls were lost against the raging might,
The forceful storm took the lives of many people in the castle, a tragic outcome beyond humanity's control.
Nature did what no man could on a dark and stormy night.
The uncontrolable force of nature accomplished the impossible by bringing down the invincible fortress.
Dunluce castle fell to no man, sword, or pike, or cannon ball,
The castle never fell to human-made armaments or soldiers.
Roving clans or Spanish foeman, Dunluce stood against them all.
Dunluce resisted many different raiders throughout its history, earning its place as a legendary symbol of strength and resilience.
Contributed by Jake H. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.