Roddy McCorley

Image from Our Lady of the Elms Elementary Library

In 1798, a young Irish Republican from Toome Bridge in Country Antrim was hanged as a rebel from the bridge.

The lament that was written after his death is still well known and widely sung. Groups including The Kingston Trio, The Dubliners, Shane MacGowan, The Wolfe Tones, The Irish Rovers, and of course, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem have performed this dirge for the young hero with the "golden ringlets."

Here it is played by the band Glenmore, and here it is played by Vincenzo Angelo on the tin whistle. Here's a tin whistle lesson taught by Ryan Duns of Boston College.

Moyard House in Belfast hosts a Roddy McCorley Society.