The Orignal Love Story of the ''Rose of Tralee''
Maurice O’Keeffe and Guests
SKU: CD-122
Length: 55 minutes approx
Irish Life and Lore
The romantic and tragic story of the Rose of Tralee is recounted here for the first time on cd. The heartrending events occurred during the famine years in Ireland, when, in 1840, Mary O'Connor, a servant girl from Brogue Lane in Tralee met with William Pembroke Mulchinock, son of a wealthy merchant in the town. Much to the dismay of the Mulchinock family, Mary and William fell in love. William became involved with the turbulent political scene, and had to leave for India, where he worked for three years as a journalist.
On his return to Tralee he discovered that Mary had recently died and griefstricken, he composed the haunting and beautiful lyrics of "The Rose of Tralee".
The CD is endorsed by the Rose of Tralee International Festival and by Tralee Urban Council.
2 CD-Set
| CD 1 |
| Track 1 | Introduction with Maurice O'Keeffe. |
| Track 2 | The tragic story of the Rose of Tralee recalled by Dr. Dick Shanahan. |
| Track 3 | A tour of the grounds of Westville House, Tralee. |
| Track 4 | The site of the "pure crystal fountain". |
| Track 5 | The Mulchinock family with Sr. Dora, Mercy Convent, Tralee. |
| Track 6 | A visit ot Clogherbrien cemetry. |
| Track 7 | Dr. Dick Shanahan's version of the old song. |
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| CD 2 |
| Track 1 | Professor Valentine Rice at the "pure cyrstal fountain". |
| Track 2 | Urban lore and the original lyrics and music of "The Rose of Tralee" with Paddy O'Brien. |
| Track 3 | Pat Crean at the house where the lyrics were composed. |
| Track 4 | Tralee journalist Seamus McConville talks of meeting Mary Alice Dennis, great-granddaughter of William Mulchinock. |
| Track 5 | Internationally renowned singer Brian Kennedy tells of his abiding love of the old song. |
| Track 6 | Origins of the Rose of Tralee International Festival as told by Roger Harty and Eddie Howard. |
| Track 7 | Tralee horticulturalist Don Nolan tells of the beautiful and fragrant bloom which is named "The Rose of Tralee". |
