Cliffs of Dooneen

The "Cliffs of Dooneen" is an Irish ballad made famous by Planxty. It is often performed by Christy Moore. The song was written by Jack McAuliffe from Lixnaw, Kerry about the cliffs around Dooneen Point near Beale, North Kerry in the south west of Ireland.

Confusion over the Location

The mention of the west coast of County Clare and the towns of Kilkee and Kilrush have made the song a County Clare anthem. This has led to confusion over the location of the cliffs which some assume to have be in Clare rather than in Kerry.

In September 2010 the confusion was mentioned in a lighthearted Irishman's Diary article which provoked responses from the public in the follow up article.

Dooneen Point is clearly marked on the historic Ordnance Survey of Ireland map. The cliffs themselves can also be seen from satellite photos on this Google Map

Some doubt the ability to see both Kilkee (on the north of the Clare peninsula) and Kilrush (on the south of the Clare peninsula) from North Kerry. The following photographs taken from the same spot show Beale, Kerry in the foreground with Clare towns in the distance.

Origins of the Song

The late Liam Buckley who was born in the cottage immediately adjacent to the Cliffs of Dooneen has stated the poem was penned by Jack McAuliffe who had travelled from Lixnaw to Beale to visit his sister. Jack had spent time with locals in the fields above and shore below the cliffs. He then visited Bill and Nell Buckley's cottage, known as "99" a few hundred metres away - for tea and scones. Liam was told by his mother (Jack's host) that the poem was written at the kitchen window of the cottage. Liam says the poem was put to music years later by a local musician. Liam did not know the date the poem was written but he remembers it from the 1930s.

A variation of Liam Buckley's account from Jack McAuliffe's niece also exists which is presented on the dooneen.com website. This account suggests it was written in the adjoining cottage occupied by the Bob Boyle.

References