All of 60 years have flown by since Eilís Farrelly composed Doonaree, a song that has enjoyed amazing popularity down through the decades. Some of the major names of former times, such as Vera Lynn and Ruby Murray, made the song an international hit.

The McMahon family, owners of the Dun a Rí House Hotel, unveiled a commemorative plaque to Eilís on the occasion of the recent 20th anniversary celebrations of the opening of the hotel. Eilís was a member of the Farrelly family who resided in what is now the Dun a Rí hotel premises, before she moved to Dublin where she married Enda Boland and spent the rest of her life.

It is understood that the song was first performed by Matt Donagh from Main Street, Kingscourt, at a pantomime concert in the local parish hall in the early 1950s. A Belfast tenor heard about it and performed it on some shows. Robert Wilson recorded it with the famous Jimmy Shand Band from Scotland. Both Ruby Murray and Vera Lynn recorded Doonaree as the song went around the world. Eilís Farrelly’s daughter Bróna, who was present for the unveiling of the plaque, said they were so thankful to Sonia and Enda, owners of the Dún a Rí House Hotel, for having decided it was only fitting that Eilís should be remembered in her home region.

“It was a wonderful day and it was a great honour to Mammy, to me and my family. I will always be grateful to Sonia and Enda for this lovely gesture. During the day Doonaree was sung at least three times. It was an unforgettable occasion for all of us,” said Bróna.

There was a warm welcome for Matt Donagh, who as a young lad was first to perform the song in public over 60 years ago. Another of her songs, Ballyhoe, topped the Irish charts for Dermot Henry from Sligo in the 1970s. This song was sung on the day by Bróna’s cousin Paul Farrelly, who was over from Toronto for the ceremonies in Kingscourt. CL