Susaí Ní Chiallaigh - Susan Kelly

Kelly Family Crest
Kelly Family Crest

Edmond Kelly, son of John Kelly of Scregg, settled at Churchborough, and Susanna was probably his daughter. There is no townland named Church borough, but Ambrose Leet's Alphabethical list of Noted Places (1812) mentions the place and gives the post town as Athlone. It is clear from the opening lines of the poem that Susanna Kelly lived in the barony of Athlone.

1. Is i mbarúnta Bhaile Átha Luain
Tán chiúin-bhean bhreághdo bhaor mé,
Súsai shéimh Ní Chealllaigh,
Plúr na mban Gaodhlach.

 2. Is righin-réigh a rosg, is ró-bhreágh a folt
Agus is seang, singil a corn gléigeal;
Ní bréag ná stair adubhras leat,
A Shúsai dheas na bpéarlai.

Song Notations

Notations are courtesy of Carolan, the Life and Times of an Irish Harper by Dónal O'Sullivan vol 1 pg. Celtic Music Edition 1983.

Courtesy of Vivian and Jack Hennessey, IrishPage.com, 2005.
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