Cork singing star and actor Claudia Rose Long brings a modern twist to the famous Irish lament, Caoineadh Art Uí Laoghaire (Lament for Art O’Leary), in the latest episode of Scéalta Grá na hÉireann.

Claudia gives a powerful performance as Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill who composed the Caoineadh over 200 years ago expressing her love and passion for Cork hero and legend, Art Ó Laoghaire.

Claudia worked with Cork composer Darren Sheahan and musicologist Nóirín Ní Riain to re-imagine the ‘Caoineadh’ for a modern audience.

The Love Story

Eibhlín Dubh Ní Chonaill was the daughter of Máire Ní Dhonnchadha.

Dhuibh and Dónal Mór O’Connell. Eibhlín grew up in Derrynane house in the beautiful southwest corner of Kerry. She was the aunt of The Liberator, Daniel O’Connell.

Eibhlín’s mother bore 22 children with 8 daughters and 4 sons surviving. Death and lamentation were a regular part of life. Eibhlín was widowed at fifteen after marrying a much older man.

At 23 she saw Art O’Laoghaire in the market square of Macroom and fell in love at first sight. Art, a Captain in the Hungarian Hussars, was an outspoken, brash young man who wore his officer’s uniform in public. He rode a fine brown mare he had brought from Austria, a silver-hilted sword at his side. The ruling protestant class did not take kindly to such behaviour from a catholic living under the penal laws in 18th century Ireland.

The O’Connells saw Art as unwanted trouble. Not wishing to draw attention to themselves and their smuggling activities, they forbid the marriage. Eibhlín went against her family’s wishes and eloped with Art. They were married on December 19th 1767 and returned to live with Art’s father at Rathleigh House outside Macroom.

There was a history of bad blood between Art and the Sheriff of Cork, Abraham Morris. Morris’ disgust and hatred for Art eventually led to the violent events that inspired Eibhlín Dubh to compose ‘Caoineadh Art Uí Laoghaire’.

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