“Sean South of Garryowen” is a song about Sean South, a dedicated Irish nationalist and devout Catholic. South was born in Limerick on February 8, 1928. He was an Irish language scholar and fought, and died, for his Irish nationalist beliefs.
He was a fervent believer in Irish independence and opposed
British rule in Northern Ireland. He joined Sinn Féin and the Irish Republican
Army (IRA). He was a writer who contributed to Irish nationalist publications,
where he wrote about his anti-communist and pro-Irish views. Very few people knew
about his associations with the IRA.
South’s hero was Patrick Pearse, who was one of the leaders
of the 1916 Easter Rising, and they were similar in many ways. They were both
religious and loners. After they died, they were each accused of fascist tendencies,
which were not proven.
South joined the IRA’s Border Campaign, which worked to end
British rule in Northern Ireland. On December 31, 1956, South and his unit were
involved in an attack on Royal Ulster Constabulary (RUC) barracks in
Brookeborough, County Fermanagh. Before the attack, the men of the unit met at
O’Hanlon’s house, and O’Hanlon told his mother that she might never see the unit
again. This was foreshadowing for what was to occur.
The unit had intended to blow open the doors of the barracks
using explosives and grenades. These failed to ignite, and the RUC was notified
of the incident. Soon after, South and his unit were caught in machine-gun fire.
South and his comrade, Fergal O’Hanlon, were fatally wounded in the attack. The
rest of the IRA retreated and left the two men behind. South was only 28 when
he died. The song says O’Hanlon was 16, but in reality, he was 19.
The song was written by Sean Costello and set to the tune of
"Roddy McCorley." The lyrics say that South was from Garryowen in
Limerick when he was really from O’Connell Avenue. It is sung before Glasgow Celtic football (soccer) games. The most popular version of the song was performed
by the Wolfe Tones. The song, “The Patriot Game,” was also inspired by this
incident.
Related Articles:
-Beyond the Song: "Four Green Fields" by Tommy Makem: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/beyond-song-four-green-fields-tommy-makem.html
-Beyond the Song: "Grace": https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/05/beyond-song-grace.html
-Beyond the Song: "Chasing Rainbows" by The High Kings: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/04/beyond-song-chasing-rainbows-high-kings.html