Peigín Leitir Móir Explained

"Peigín Leitir Móir" is a popular Irish folk song.

The original verses of the song were written in Irish by Máirtín Ó Clochartaigh and Pádraic Ó Maille of Leitir Caladh (a townland to the north of Leitir Mór, County Galway) around the turn of the 20th century.^[1] It was published in the review An Claidheamh Soluis in 1911. However, new verses were added at various times and places as the song gained popularity in Irish-speaking districts.

In general, the song extols the beauty of a woman called Peigín, and tells how she attracts not only the poet but men from different districts.

The song is also played as a polka, without lyrics, by traditional musicians.

Recordings

• The Dubliners, In Concert (1965), A Time to Remember (2009)
• Na Casaidigh (1994)
• Orthodox Celts, The Celts Strike Again (1997)
• Tadhg Mac Dhonnagáin (2008)^[2]
• John Spillane, Irish Songs We Learned at School (2008)
• Seán Ó Riada
• Ceoltóirí Chualann

Notes and References

1. Book: Bowles, Micheál . 1985. Claisceadal 1: Irish Folk Songs and Accompaniments. Dún Laoghaire. Glendale Press. 978-0-907606-35-2.
2. Book: Mac Dhonnagáin, Tadhg . 2008. Peigín Leitir Móir. Irish. An Spidéal. Futa Fata. 0-9550983-7-8.