Irish prison song first recorded by Canadians Ian and Sylvia has become Republican anthem
Mountjoy Prison, circa 1866 in Dublin Ireland
Irish republican, author and poet Brendan Behan’s play The Quare Fellow (1954) opens with The Auld Triangle.
The song was written by his brother Dominic Behan about a prisoner’s execution day.
The play is long forgotten but the song has taken on a life of its own, becoming an anthem for Irish Republicanism.
The twin titles refer to Mountjoy Prison in Dublin where a triangle was beaten daily to wake the prisoners. Behan had been a prisoner at Mountjoy. It often housed members of the IRA.
Mountjoy Pricon from Lock 4 on the Royal Canal
Mountjoy is situated along the Royal Canal Bank, which gives the song its second title. Above the high wall, the prisoners could not see the canal, a dreary life.
Constructed in 1850 for 500 prisoners, Mountjoy housed 2,000. It was reported for overcrowding and filthy living conditions for the men.
The song has been sung by Irish groups from The Clancy Brothers, The Pogues and The Dubliners. Ironically one of the earliest recordings is by Canadian folk singers Ian and Sylvia . They do a decent version, down to the 4 harmony.
Ciaran Bourke and the Dubliners perform a moving version found on YouTube.
The Dubliners singing The Auld Triangle, with the last performance by Ciaran Bourke
The Auld Triangle is poetic and sad in the way Irish songs are but seething with anger.
Another excellent version by the late Liam Clancy has more muted angst.
The tune is a traditional Irish folk song, The Galway Shawl.
The prison is being moved to a modern facility. The Royal Canal is a well known tourist walk in Dublin.
Brendan Behan statue sitting at Lock 3, The Royal Canal, Dublin Ireland
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