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.
Pat From Mullingar
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And how the boys from County Cork beat up the Black and Tan.
But I know a little codger who came out without a scar.
His name is Paddy Mulligan, the man from Mullingar.
The Peelers chased him out of Connemara,
For beatin' up the valiant Dan O'Hara.
And when he came to Ballymore, he stole the Parson's car,
Seven hundred Peelers couldn't match him.
The Chieftain paid the army for to catch him.
And when he came to Dublin Town, he stole an armoured car
And sold it to the IRA brigade in Mullingar.
Well the Peelers got their orders to suppress the man on sight.
So they sent for reinforcements through the county left and right.
Three thousand men surrounded him, they hunted near and far.
But he was with the IRA brigade in Johnson's motorcar.
The Peelers chased him out of Connemara,
For beatin' up the valiant Dan O'Hara.
And when he came to Ballymore, he stole the Parson's car,
And he sold it to the Bishop in the town of Castlegar.
Seven hundred Peelers couldn't match him.
The Chieftain paid the army for to catch him.
And when he came to Dublin Town, he stole an armoured car
And sold it to the IRA brigade in Mullingar.
They came with tanks and armoured cars, they came with all their might.
Them Peelers never counted on old Paddy's dynamite.
On the fourteenth day of April, well he blew them to July.
And the name of Paddy Mulligan took half of Ireland's pride.
The song "Pat from Mullingar" by The Irish Rovers tells the story of a legendary figure named Paddy Mulligan, who is known for his fearless escapades and ability to outsmart the police. The lyrics poke fun at the romanticized stories of Irish heroism and celebrate the rebellious spirit that is deeply ingrained in Irish folklore.
The song starts by mocking the folklore of heroic clans and the Royal Irish Constabulary, or Peelers. The singer claims that Paddy Mulligan is the real hero who managed to escape all confrontations without any scars. The next verse tells the story of how Paddy beat up Dan O'Hara and had to flee Connemara because of the Peelers. He then proceeded to steal the Parson's car in Ballymore and sell it to the Bishop in Castlegar. The chorus boasts that not even seven hundred Peelers could match Paddy's cunning and skill.
The final verse tells of how Paddy went to Dublin and stole an armored car and sold it to the IRA brigade in Mullingar. The Peelers put a bounty on his head and sent reinforcements, but they were no match for Paddy and the IRA. In the end, Paddy's use of dynamite resulted in a heroic victory that made him a legend and took "half of Ireland's pride".
Overall, "Pat from Mullingar" is a humorous tribute to the Irish spirit of rebellion and a nod to the legends that have been created around heroic figures like Paddy Mulligan.
Line by Line Meaning
You may talk and sing and boast about your Peelers and your clans,
You can brag about the police officers and groups you belong to.
And how the boys from County Cork beat up the Black and Tan.
And how the boys from County Cork defeated the British paramilitary forces known as the Black and Tans.
But I know a little codger who came out without a scar.
However, I know someone who has not been injured in any of these conflicts.
His name is Paddy Mulligan, the man from Mullingar.
That person is Paddy Mulligan, who comes from Mullingar.
The Peelers chased him out of Connemara,
The police have driven him out of Connemara.
For beatin' up the valiant Dan O'Hara.
Because he beat up the brave Dan O'Hara.
And when he came to Ballymore, he stole the Parson's car,
When he got to Ballymore, he stole the car belonging to the priest.
And he sold it to the Bishop in the town of Castlegar.
Then he sold it to the Bishop in the town of Castlegar.
Seven hundred Peelers couldn't match him.
Seven hundred police officers couldn't catch him.
The Chieftain paid the army for to catch him.
The leader paid the army to capture him.
And when he came to Dublin Town, he stole an armoured car
Upon arriving in Dublin Town, he stole an armored car.
And sold it to the IRA brigade in Mullingar.
He then sold it to the Irish Republican Army brigade in Mullingar.
Well the Peelers got their orders to suppress the man on sight.
The police were ordered to arrest him at first sight.
So they sent for reinforcements through the county left and right.
Therefore, they called for additional police officers from nearby areas.
Three thousand men surrounded him, they hunted near and far.
Three thousand men were deployed to surround and capture him.
But he was with the IRA brigade in Johnson's motorcar.
However, he was with the Irish Republican Army brigade, traveling in Johnson's motorcar.
They came with tanks and armoured cars, they came with all their might.
They arrived with tanks, armored cars, and all their force.
Them Peelers never counted on old Paddy's dynamite.
The police didn't expect Paddy to have explosives.
On the fourteenth day of April, well he blew them to July.
On April 14th, he caused so much destruction that it felt like July.
And the name of Paddy Mulligan took half of Ireland's pride.
Paddy Mulligan became a celebrated figure in Ireland's history.
Contributed by Violet Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.