The Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) is committed to providing free, universal access to the rich cultural tradition of Irish music, song and dance. If you’re able, we’d love for you to consider a donation. Any level of support will help us preserve and grow this tradition for future generations.
from Compositions by Roisin McGrory
The Clachans of Ballyharry are situated in East Inishowen in the Parish of Culdaff. Ballyharry overlooks the rugged coastline at Tremone Bay. It is a place of great beauty, but has a turbulent political and social history.
Clachan is the word used to describe the informal clusters of farmhouses and outbuildings that were once the main type of settlement in the area. In places, Ballyharry is now ghost-like and the empty family homes mark all that remains of difficult times when many had to leave. I composed this tune to celebrate the families of the Clachans and the lives and the music that once filled the community there.
This tune appeared as part of a set on my album Pór (2024)