Anthologies   •   Kilmainham Jail - It's heroes and songs

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  • Kilmainham Jail - It's heroes and songs
    • 1980 - Dolphin DOLM5026 LP (IRL)

  • Credits
    • Narrated by Ronnie Drew
    • Commissioned by the Kilmainham Jail Restoration Committee as a fund raising venture for the renovation and maintenance of the jail.
  • Notes:
    • To my knowledge, the Mary Black tracks were specifically recorded for this album.

Sleeve Notes

The Irish consider Kilmainham Jail not merely as a museum, but as a national shrine. Here, since 1787 were kept generations of Ireland's political prisoners — the patriots whose names are in the minds and hearts of all Irishmen. More recent history saw as its occupants those involved in the last Irish rebellion in 1916. all of whose leaders were executed here. Here, too, one of the Presidents of Ireland — Eamonn de Valera — was interned and finally released in 1924 when the jail was closed.

From this date the building began to deteriorate. However, in 1960 a group of dedicated individuals formed themselves into a committee and began the slow and painstaking work of restoration. Now it is visited annually by thousands who are conducted through the prisoners' cells, the induction room and the corridors through which the patriots walked on their last journey. On view there is a highly impressive collection of valuable papers, weapons and photographs which document a major part of Ireland's history in her fight for freedom.

To help this work and to ensure its continuation many people have contributed generously not only their money but their time and talent as well. This record devised and produced by Dolphin Records, is yet another tribute to the work of the restoration committee. The artistes — The Wolfe Tones, Paddy Reilly, Dublin City Ramblers, Mary Black, and the narrator, Ronnie Drew, have given their services free. We, the directors of Dolphin Records, thank them sincerely and are pleased and proud to have been associated with them.

J. P. O'Reilly
V. K. Nolan
B. J. Barker
P. P. O'Reilly