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.
Star of the Co. Down
The Irish Rovers Lyrics
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Down a boring green come a sweet Colleen, and she smiled as she passed me by.
She looked so sweet, from her two bare feet, to the sheen of her nut brown hair,
Such a winsome elf, I′m ashamed of meself, for to see I was staring there.
From Bantry Bay,
up to Derry Quay, and from Galway to Dublin town,
No maid I've seen like the sweet Colleen, that I met in the county down.
The lyrics of The Irish Rovers's song “Star of the Co. Down” describe an encounter the singer had with a beautiful woman in the County Down of Ireland. The lyrics recount the singer's infatuation with the woman's beauty as she passed by him one morning in July. The singer is struck by her physical appearance, from the color of her hair to her bare feet. He feels ashamed that he stared at her for so long, but he cannot help it. The song then goes on to describe the singer's belief that the woman is the star of the County Down, implying her unmatched beauty and status.
Line by Line Meaning
Near Bainbridge town, in the county down, one morning last July,
I was walking in the county of Down near Bainbridge town in July when I saw something memorable
Down a boring green come a sweet Colleen, and she smiled as she passed me by.
Along a boring green path came a lovely young woman, and she smiled at me as she walked on by
She looked so sweet, from her two bare feet, to the sheen of her nut brown hair,
With her bare feet and shiny nut brown hair, she looked stunning
Such a winsome elf, I?m ashamed of meself, for to see I was staring there.
I felt like a fool because I couldn't stop staring at her like a love-struck boy
From Bantry Bay,
This line is a part of the song's introduction and refers to a different location entirely, Bantry Bay in County Cork, Ireland
Contributed by Jordan Y. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
Ian Burt
on Bluenose
You have missed out a verse.