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This song 'Séideadh na hAdhairce' (Blowing of the Horn) describes the old tradition of gathering seaweed from the shore to fertilize the crops which took place in Achill in late 1800's. Traditionally a May storm known as 'Garbh Shíon na gCuach' or 'The Cuckoo Storm' would release the seaweed from the bottom of the ocean, and it would come ashore on the tide.

In Dooagh and in other parts of Achill, people were appointed as 'herds' to notify people when the wrack came ashore by blowing horns. The original herds in Dooagh were Pat Callaghan and Anthony Kilcoyne and the task was handed down from generation to generation. Pat blew the wrack horn for the Leic side of the beach and Anthony for the ‘Bruach Dubh’ side.

Lots were cast for the seaweed, and everybody got an equal share. The items used for casting lots were the Root (of the seaweed), the Fruit (of the seaweed), the Pebble, and the Bruach (clod of turf from Bruach Dubh). People who did not have a stake were only entitled to the seaweed from a part of the beach known as the Pauper’s Divide. The original horns used are still in Dooagh and are pictured below.

lyrics

In Bealtaine, down through the years, came Garbh Shíon na gCuach
To release the precious sea-wrack, from the bottom of the ocean
That “golden storm” carried it, to Leic and to the Bruach
That was the Port Mór Feamainne, which caused such great emotion

May morning silence broken, by that sound that was sublime
The Dooagha village horn-blowers, named Callaghan and Kilcoyne
As herds they were appointed, by the tenants one and all
To the seashore no-one ventured, ‘til they heard ‘An Dúdach’ call


It soon looked like an exodus, of every woman child and man
With ponies, mares and donkeys yoked, to the ‘Cladach’ rushed each Clan
Oh what a sight to see those piles, of golden sea-wrack treasure
Which to their land, when lots were cast, were transported at their leisure

Those days of yore may come no more, yet still while we are able
The deeds of those who daily strove to source 'kitchen' for the table
With heart-felt pride we cherish still through every generation
With Lee and Emmet to the fore, the fifth in occupation

credits

from Oile​á​n m'Aislingí / Island of my Dreams, released October 24, 2022
Lyrics: John 'Twin' McNamara
Music: John 'Twin' McNamara
Musical accompaniment: Emmet Callaghan (Horn),
Diarmuid Gielty (Fiddles) & Michael Lavelle (Whistles)

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John Twin McNamara

John 'Twin' McNamara is one of Achill’s most important historians, folklorists and collector of songs, poetry and stories associated with Achill and its connections to significant aspects of our local and national cultural heritage. His life has been dedicated to the promotion of Achill and in particular its language, music, and culture. He was the driving force behind the revival of Scoil Acla, ... more

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