In honor of St. Patrick’s Day and like last year, I’ll be posting a series of entries capturing the historical context of Irish folk songs by heavily linking-up the lyrics of each song. I’ll keep this post updated with links to each post in the series.

Leading off this year is Lisdoonvarna, Christy Moore’s wonderful song about the music festival that graced that small Clare town in the late 70s and early 80s.

1. 1 March: Lisdoonvarna
2. 5 March: Shankill Butchers
3. 7 March: Catalpa
4. 10 March: Galtee Mountain Boy
5. 12 March: Spancil Hill
6. 12 March: Come To the Bower
7. 15 March: The Irish Brigade
8. 16 March: Boolavogue
9. 16 March: Song of the Celts
10. 16 March: Bold Thady Quill
11. 17 March: The West’s Awake
12. 17 March: You’ll Never Beat the Irish

Relatedly, The Parting Glass is a resource page for fans interested in the literary, historical, political, and personal references found in the lyrics of The Pogues and of the related projects of the band’s members. Check it out!