In 1968, the predecessor of the Junoโs named The Irish Rovers Canadaโs, โFolk Group of the Yearโ, and the following year, they received a Grammy nomination for โFolk Performance of the Yearโ.
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 โplease become Canadianโ 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 90โs, their songwriting was even more prolific than their early years, and production of albums wasnโt about to slow down. Since they desired the freedom that as a younger band, they could not afford, in โ93 The Irish Rovers established their own record company, Rover Records. Their songs tell the story of the Irish, whether itโs 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.
Las Veagas In The Hills Of Donegal
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴
sea
Or the grave of the unknown soldier and the cry of the
old banshee
Who was the man in the iron mask, was Jack the ripper
set free?
But ask them all whereโs Donegal, and itโs still a
mystery
And if I could Iโd build a wall around old Donegal
The north and south to keep them out, my god Iโd build
it tall
Casinoes, chicken ranches, Iโd legalize them all
Weโd have our own Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Yeah!! Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
playboy clubs and all night pubs, black jack and
roulette
Mel Gibson, Brigitte Nilsen, Mike Tyson having a bet
(bite)
Iniseoghain would then be known for itโs multi-
millionaires
Where Donald Trump would have a chunk to live in
solitaire
And if I could Iโd build a wall around old Donegal
The north and south to keep them out, my god Iโd build
it tall
Casinoes, chicken ranches, Iโd legalize them all
Weโd have our own Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Yeah!! Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
To stand on top of fairy hill would give me such a
thrill
Iโve heard them say in Dublin thereโs gold in them
there hills
So donโt despair, โcos if you dare, the answer lies
with me
Thereโs a wall thatโs steep and itโs going cheap
somewhere in Germany
And if I could Iโd build a wall around old Donegal
The north and south to keep them out, my god Iโd build
it tall
Casinoes, chicken ranches, Iโd legalize them all
Weโd have our own Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Yeah!! Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
The Irish Roversโs song Las Vegas in the Hills of Donegal is a humorous take on what could be possible in the rural Irish region of Donegal. The singer talks about how people often talk about lost cities like Atlantis or unsolved mysteries like Jack the Ripper, but no one seems to know where Donegal is. If he could, he would build a wall around Donegal to keep outsiders out and legalize everything from casinos to chicken ranches. The singer imagines a world where celebrities like Mel Gibson, Brigitte Nielsen, and Mike Tyson come to Donegal to gamble at casinos and stay in luxurious mansions. He even suggests that thereโs gold in the hills of Donegal and that a wall to keep out outsiders is available at a cheap price in Germany.
Las Vegas in the Hills of Donegal is a playful song that pokes fun at the idea of turning a rural and traditional region into a playground for the rich and famous. The song also shows the singerโs pride in his homeland and his desire to protect it from outsiders. The lyrics suggest that even though people may not know where Donegal is, the region is a special place that deserves to be cherished.
Contributed by Landon A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@algs229635
You may talk about Atlantis, how it's lost beneath the sea
Or the grave of the unknown soldier and the cry of the old banshee
Who was the man in the iron mask, was Jack the ripper set free?
But ask them all where's Donegal, and it's still a mystery
And if I could I'd build a wall around old Donegal
The north and south to keep them out, my god I'd build it tall
Casinos, chicken ranches, I'd legalize them all
We'd have our own Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Yeah!! Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Lay by clubs and all night pubs, black jack and roulette
Mel Gibson, Brigitte Nilsen, Mike Tyson having a bet (bite)
Inishowen (or Inis Eoghain) would then be known for it's multi-millionaires
Where Donald Trump would have a chunk to live in solitaire
And if I could I'd build a wall around old Donegal
The north and south to keep them out, my god I'd build it tall
Casinos, chicken ranches, I'd legalize them all
We'd have our own Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Yeah!! Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
To stand on top of fairy hill would give me such a thrill
I've heard them say in Dublin there's gold in them there hills
So don't despair, 'cos if you dare, the answer lies with me
There's a wall that's steep and it's going cheap somewhere in Germany
And if I could I'd build a wall around old Donegal
The north and south to keep them out, my god I'd build it tall
Casinos, chicken ranches, I'd legalize them all
We'd have our own Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
Yeah!! Las Vegas in the hills of Donegal
@cheethama
Still love this brilliant song after many, many years!!!! One of the classics!
@aaronsmith6431
My uncles favourite song he passed not long ago and just brings back all the memories โค๏ธrest in peace Dominic Columbia ๐ฎ๐ช
@Kaylay_H
Omg
@Kaylay_H
My great uncles name was Dominic
@michaelmcglinchey3954
@Kayla Hamilton Song
@maryskelton458
Absolute classic ๐๐ถ so proud to be irish ๐ ๐ฎ๐ช ๐
@musicgood7872
Love this song!!! I want to visit Ireland one day! ๐ ๐
@conorreardon9056
Where u from
@MrComet19
Love it, great version
@kathrynmcfadden6427
All my family are from Donegal . My dad John McFadden loved this song along with most Irish songs about his homeland ! God Bless Ireland and " Up Donegal !"