Where The 3 Counties Meet

"Where the 3 Counties Meet"
Single by Brendan Shine
B-side"Bright City Lights"
Released1973
Recorded1973
StudioEamonn Andrews Studios
GenreIrish traditional
Length2:30
LabelPlay
Songwriter(s)Patsy Farrell
Producer(s)Bill O'Donovan
Brendan Shine singles chronology
"Far Too Young"
(1972)
"Where the 3 Counties Meet"
(1973)
"Abbeyshrule"
(1973)

"Where The 3 Counties Meet" (also written "Where The Three Counties Meet") is a 1973 Irish traditional song by Brendan Shine.[1][2][3]

Lyrics

The song is named for Lough Ree, where the three Irish counties of Longford, Roscommon and Westmeath meet at a tripoint. Also mentioned in the song are the towns of Athlone and Glassan, The Three Jolly Pigeons (a pub on the Athlone–Ballymahon road) and the River Shannon.[4] The song is from the point of view of a member of the Irish diaspora, working in construction in a foreign land and longing to return home.[5]

Song history

"Where The 3 Counties Meet" was written by Patsy Farrell (1929–2002) of Rathowen.[6][7][8]

"Where The 3 Counties Meet" was released by Brendan Shine in 1973, and was number one on the Irish Singles Chart for two weeks in August 1973.[9] Spotlight magazine named it Record of the Year.[10]

References

  1. ^ Illingworth, R. (2016). The Little Book of Westmeath. United Kingdom: History Press.
  2. ^ "Farming for meat where the three counties meet". Tuam Herald. May 11, 2022.
  3. ^ "Old-word gem where three counties meet". www.independent.ie. May 30, 2012.
  4. ^ "Irish Song Lyrics - Where the Three Counties Meet". www.irishsongs.com.
  5. ^ "Where the Three Counties Meet lyrics and chords". Irish Music Daily.
  6. ^ "The musical soldier". Westmeath Independent. August 18, 2010.
  7. ^ "Foster and Allen to launch first Patsy Farrell Festival". www.longfordleader.ie.
  8. ^ Post, Irish. "Summer festivals, fleadhs and flings in Ireland". The Irish Post.
  9. ^ "Brendan Shine age, biography". Last.fm.
  10. ^ "Brendan Shine". www.irish-showbands.com.