The Fleadh and the French Connection
By Pádraig Ó Láimhín
Tá na longa sa chuan, sa chuan, sa chuan,
Tá na longa i gCuan Chill Alaidh.
Tá na longa sa chuan, sa chuan, sa chuan,
Tá na Francaigh faoí dheire tagthaí.
Curfa
Is óró ó ró viva la,
Is óró ó ró h-éirí.
Cuirt ort na bróga is an bhriste bán,
Cuir on an cóta gorm.
Cuir hata na gcléiti ar do cheann
Is beir píce I do dhorn.
Curfá
Ghabhamar Cill Alaidh is Béal an Átha,
Is thógamar Caisleaá an Bharraigh.
Thoghamar Ó Mórdha mar uachtarán
Istigh i lár an bhaile.
Curfá
Leanamar linn go Baile na Muc
Ach sular cuireadh tús le sléachtú.
Ghéill na Francaigh do General Lake
Is fágadh sinn don chéasadh.
Curfá
Tá na longa sa chuan, sa chuan, sa chuan,
Tá na longa sa chuan, sa chuan, sa chuan
Tá na Francaigh ag dul abhaile.
Curfá
lnsionn an t-amhrán seo sceal Éiri’ Amach 1798 i Maigh Eo. Ba mhór an sceal dóchais do mhuintir na hÉireann ag an am go raibh míle saighdiúir Francach ag teacht chucu ón bhFrainc. Thug sé misneach do Chonnacht agus cé go raibh a fhios acu faoín slad a rinneadh i Loch Garman d’ardaíodar gáir catha agus ar aghaigh leo i ndiaidh General Humbert.
Killala Bay
It must have been an extraordinary sight to see three tall ships sail into `Killala’s Broad Bay and lower anchor at the little seaside village of Kilcummin. Many, who were at the Fair of Rathfran at the time, on seeing the strange sight, ran to Kilcummin to witness the French Landing.
The ships had been closely watched by Parson Little who studied their movements through a telescope and to his horror discovered that these ships, who were displaying the British colours, were actually French. He informed the local castle of the imminent danger and all local gentry began to brace themselves for the arrival of the French. It must have been a magnificent sight for the villagers who spoke nothing but Irish to be surrounded by the neatly dressed foreigners. Colonel Kane was among the first to set foot on land. He was a rebel priest, a native and a linguist. He kissed the ground with reverence and was heartily welcomed by the locals. Tradition tells us that Humbert had ladies on board, presumably to do the cooking among other duties. One of these ladies spread her shawl on the ground and displayed money to pay for horses. None was paid as word came that the British were coming. She gathered up her shawl and left. A recruiting camp was set up at Baile an Champa nearby and many flocked to join and I am sure were unrecognisable when they shed their rags to don the French uniform. Untrained and inexperienced in warfare they marched on to take Killala, Ballina and Castlebar. Tradition tells us that the first French soldier to lose his life was buried secretly at Garrai’ Francach which now has a monument to those who died in the 1798 Rebellion. An Irishman by the name of Lindsay is reported to have been killed at Palmerstown Bridge on their way to Killala. Patrick Walshe was hanged by the Redcoats before they retreated from Ball ma as he was carrying a dispatch. On his arrival in Ballina Sarrazan kissed the corpse and had it buried with full military honours.
Humbert at Ballinamuck
Everyone knows of the disaste of Ballinamuck where Humbert was vastly outnumbered and surrendeed to GeneraI Lake. The Irish however had to suffer the fate of rebels. To make a long story short Humbert returned to France via Dublin and emigrated to New Orleans where he is buried in an unmarked grave. Many of the Irish who died share that grave distinction. History books give their story but if by chance you visit Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann visit Kilcummin and follow the trail of the French through Lacken, Killala, Ballina, Lahardane, etc. to get a fuller picture of that ill-fated expedition. Visit Downpatrick Head to read the story of those who died there. Listen for the songs and stories as we remember those who set a firm foundation, at a supreme price, for the democracy we enjoy today in our country. When you stand at the 1798 Monument in Ballina during the Fleadh remember the Men of the West! Say a prayer or if you have the air of the following sing it in their honour and memory: `Seo slainte na bhfear as an larthar dhíbh A chruinnigh le cúnamh san ár, Sheas siad an aimsir i ngéar cháil ,Seo sláinte Fir Chonnacht’ go brách’
