Council row over ‘Danny Boy’ signs for Limavady

by Elizabeth Moore

Council plans to mark the origin of the song ‘Danny Boy’ are in jeopardy over attempts to include a reference to the ‘Londonderry Air.’

Sinn Féin members of Causeway Coast and Glens Council objected to the inclusion of ‘The Londonderry Air’ at a full council meeting which took place on Tuesday, September 26.

DUP Councillor, Alan Robinson branded the fresh row on signage due for Limavady as ‘deeply regrettable’ but ‘predictable’ after Nationalists had previously voted against the reference.

The agreed signage was put before a sub-committee of Limavady Councillors in early September and passed unanimously.

However, the debate was soon revived between Sinn Féin and SDLP in what Councillor Robinson describes as a ‘superficial argument.’

He said: “This is despite the fact that ‘Danny Boy’ was also included to reflect the Nationalist identity. This is childish.”

Councillor Robinson continued: “Whilst some talk about equality and respect, there has been little evidence of either when it comes to new Council signage for the Causeway Coast and Glens Borough.”

The Londonderry Air, the tune to which the famous Danny Boy song was written, is one of the most famous melodies to come out of Ireland and is known worldwide.

The tune was initially accredited to Miss Jane Ross, a Limavady resident who originally recorded the Londonderry Air in the mid-1800s.

Jane is believed to have heard the tune being played by blind Jimmy McCurry, also known as 'The Blind Fiddler from Myroe'.

In 1912, the tune came to the attention of Mr. Fred Weatherly, an English solicitor and writer. Weatherly had originally written a song called Danny Boy, a couple of years earlier, but was not happy with it.

Having heard the Londonderry Air, he adapted his lyrics to the tune, and the famous Danny Boy song was created.

Councillor Robinson added: “I would ask those who talk much about equality and respect to give an account to the public, detailing why this signage is offensive when it has both the inclusion of ‘Londonderry Air’ as well as ‘Danny Boy’."

Sinn Féin Councillor, Brenda Chivers acclaimed: “I have been lobbying for a number of years, working with signs and I attended the sub-committee meeting where the decision was ratified.”

She continued: “I raised my concerns, along with my party, at that meeting. We believe that Danny Boy is world renowned and we are trying to promote tourism in Limavady. However, nobody outside knows it as the Londonderry Air.”

She also claimed the sign would be a ‘target’ and that it will ‘no doubt’ be vandalised.

It is understood the new signage will be erected by the end of the year.