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.

Gracehill Fair
The Irish Rovers Lyrics

Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴

Well i used to be a rover and i rambled all around
And i never felt the urge to settle down
But in the county antrim down ballymena waysly cupid came a-calling me one day
And from the very start sure she stole away me heart
Since i saw her standing there
And with her i will stay until me dying day
And i met her at the gracehill fair
She was lovely as the roses and as graceful as a swan

And her lilting voice would brighten any dawn
I knew id be in heaven just to hold her in me arms
I was smitten by her beauty and her char
And from the very start sure she stole away me heart
Since i saw her standing there
And with her i will stay until me dying day
And i met her at the gracehill fair
Well the fair it runs from april until lammas days are done
And all are in good humour having fun
Theres fiddlers, theres pipers and theres dancers on the green
And the finest wares that you have ever seen
And from the very start sure she stole away me heart
Since i saw her standing there
And with her i will stay until me dying day
And i met her at the gracehill fair
Now me roving days are over and im happy for to bide
For the lovely lass i met became me bride
Each day i count me blessings for true love we do share
Since i met her at the gracehill fair
And from the very start sure she stole away me heart
Since i saw her standing there
And with her i will stay until me dying day
And i met her at the gracehill fair
And from the very start sure she stole away me heart
Since i saw her standing there

And with her i will stay until me dying day
And i met her at the gracehill fair

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to The Irish Rovers' song "Gracehill Fair" tell the story of a man who was once a rover and never felt the need to settle down until he met the love of his life at the Gracehill fair in County Antrim. From the moment he saw her, he was smitten by her beauty and her charm. The fair, which runs from April until Lammas days are done, provides the perfect backdrop for this love story. There are fiddlers, pipers and dancers on the green, and the finest wares that you have ever seen.

The man's love for this woman is so strong that he has given up his wandering ways and is happy to stay by her side until his dying day. Each day he counts his blessings for the true love they share since he met her at the Gracehill fair. The lyrics are straightforward and paint a vivid picture of a man's journey from being a rover to finding love and settling down.

Gracehill FairThe Irish Rovers Lyrics

Ian Burt

on Bluenose

Gracehill Fair
The Irish Rovers Lyrics