Raftery the Poet, of 19th Century Mayo, was blind from childhood and spent his life playing tunes on the fiddle, creating and singing songs as he wandered the West of Ireland.
Born in Killeden, near Kiltimagh in east Co. Mayo, around 1779, Raftery would lead a nomadic existence, much of it in the Loughrea area of Co. Galway, where he died in 1835. He is buried near Craughwell.
Born Antaine Ó Raifteirí, Raftery the Poet is thought to have been the only survivor among nine siblings who were struck down with smallpox when he was around 6 years of age. Blinded by the disease, Raftery became a servant, perhaps a stable hand, of the local landlord, Taaffe of Kiltimagh. He remained employed here until, it is said, he was thrown out after an accident in which one of the landlord’s favourite horses died.
Blind, he joined what would certainly have been many others at that time forced to wander the countryside, trying to eke out a living by playing music and singing ballads. It is often said that he became dependent on the generosity of those hardly better off than himself. (The sketch here reproduced is by Dónal Mac Póilín)
A poet of the people he met and heard about along his travels, Raftery’s writings are about the events of his time and reflect the views of the common people of the West of Ireland. He lived through the 1798 Rebellion and the 1800 Act of Union and would have been acutely aware of landlords (often absentee) charging high rents to pauper tenants.
Raftery sang of the activities of those who agitated for reasonable rents and security of tenure for peasant farmers.
In one notable case, a local man named Daly was hanged for an incident concerning a landlord’s agent, even though it was widely claimed that he was innocent. On the way to court, Daly was offered the opportunity to go on the run, but is said to have declined for fear of reprisal against the local people. Raftery, who may have witnessed this event, composed a poem in praise of Daly, referring to him as a ‘good tree that wouldn’t let any branch of it fall to the ground’. He denounced those who took part in the hanging.
In another poem, ‘Na Buachaillí Bána’, he says of Denis Browne, High Sheriff of Mayo at the time, that he would like to ‘stick a spear through his huge stomach’. The Sheriff was known as “Denis the Rope”, on account of the number of 1798 rebels he had hanged during his time in office.
Among the best known of the works of Raftery the Poet are “Mise Raifteirí” and “Cill Aodáin”.
Mise Raifteirí
“Mise Raifteirí, an file, lán dóchais is grá
Le súile gan solas, ciúnas gan crá.”
[ I am Raftery the poet, full of hope and love,
My eyes without light, calmness without torment. ]
Cill Aodáin
“Anois teacht an earraigh, beidh an lá ag dul chun síneadh,
Is tar éis na féile Bríde, ardóidh mé mo sheol.
Ó chuir mé i mo cheann é, ní chónóidh mé choíche
Go seasfaidh mé síos i lár Chontae Mhaigh Eo.
[ Now Spring is here, the days will grow longer,
And after Bridget’s Day, I will raise my sail.
I’ve put my mind to it, and I won’t rest again,
‘Til I stand in the middle of the County Mayo. ]
Ó Raifteirí died at the house of Diarmuid Cloonan of Killeeneen, near Craughwell, County Galway, and was buried in nearby Killeeneen Cemetery.
In 1900, Lady Augusta Gregory, Edward Martyn and W.B. Yeats (co-founders of the Abbey Theatre and the Irish Literary Theatre) erected a memorial stone over his grave, bearing the simple inscription “RAFTERY”.
Raftery the Poet’s Legacy
To this day, these poems are a staple part of primary school life in Mayo and long may they remain so. Marching school bands whistle out the melodious and beautiful tune of Cill Aodáin during St. Patrick’s Day parades throughout Mayo.
The primary school in Kiltimagh has a nice little page about Raftery.
I have always said that these opening lines of his poem
“Mise Raftery an file
Lán dóchas agus grá”
Must be the most inspiring lines of poetry ever penned in any language!
Surely the most beautiful expression of the endurance of the human spirit in adversity.
We should take note.
Yes indeed, Norman, thanks for your comment. Regards, Barry.
@david raftery, my name is Paul Raftery. Mum from Sligo (O’Dowd) and I think my dad’s family was Mayo way back. I was born in Manchester too!
He is buried in Killeeneen graveyard. My great-grandfather was one of the boys who held a candle on the windy night of his burial.
Terry Furey
Thanks for that Terry, nice to know.
My mother was from Mayo, my father was from Roscommon, John Raftery. I was born in Manchester, UK.
I am also Raftery.
Good man Dave, thanks for that.
My great grandfather, John Raftery,(1850-1930s) emigrated from Galway to Portland, Maine, USA, in the late 1900’s. He married my great grandmother, Margaret Flaherty, also from Galway. They met in Portland, ME. I don’t know where to begin to track down any Raftery relatives in Ireland.
Hi Steve, Each county in Ireland has one or more genealogical centres, where you can begin your research, although you’d probably want to know what part of County Galway your ancestors came from. For County Galway, get in touch with https://galwayroots.com/. Good luck! Barry.
Gur a maith agat Barry. Lovely to be reminded of the times and the genius that Rafferty was and it gives us some insight into the comfort and privileges that we enjoy today in this country, despite all that is troubling many good people.
Yes indeed, Seán. Beir bua.
Today, two very famous Irish poets Antoine Ó Raifteirí / Rafferty and “Phil” Philip Parris Lynott have their fame extended further by a baby boy Rafferty Thomas Lynott Lengyel, born in London on the 24th August 2017. Young Rafferty has got off to a great start in life and will be inspired by his parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, relations, friends, people he will meet and by two of our very great poets and the best rocker that ever graced the stage on God’s green earth. Go on Rafferty, enjoy every moment of your life and help to bring joy to everyone you meet along your way, fear no one and bow only to God and his servants.
Thanks for the comment, Thomas!
Enjoyed reading this. Sad but sweet in a way. How can I hear any of his music? THANKS. Go raibh maith agat.
Hi Rosemary,
You might like this :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXOFwSfnMWE
Enjoy and thanks for visiting!
Almost 94 years of age, it was a great pleasure to learn more of Raifteiri an File and recall my schooldays in CBS Westland Row, Dublin.
You’re very welcome, Patrick, thank you.
Beautiful, historical account of Ó Raifteirí and others of his time and life in Ireland of days gone by.