Uploaded March 2016 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Here's a virtual movie of the the Rebel Irish Woman Kathleen Behan mother of Brendan Behan and the head of a family that became famous for its literary output and its Fenian roots.
Kathleen Behan was a unique character who lived through stirring times in Irish history and raised one of Ireland’s famous families.
Born in 1889, she spent most of her early life in an orphanage, but this had no dampening effect on her indomitable spirit. She took part in the Rising of 1916 and remained a committed Republican all her life. She was very proud of being a socialist and communist. ‘I’m not red, I’m scarlet’, she used say.
What makes her so appealing to me is her enormous sense of fun and her extraordinary repertoire of songs, some of which were recorded by RTE and on vinyl.
She married twice. Her first husband, Jack Furlong, died in 1918, leaving her with two sons, Rory and Sean. With her second husband, Stephen Behan, she had five children: Brendan, Brian, Dominic, Seamus and Carmel. The first three were writers, social activists and song writers.
Brendan became a world-famous playwright and novelist. Kathleen was devastated by his death fifty years ago this year. It is this anniversary which is inspiring the revival of this portrait of her ebullient life.
Erin go Bragh /ˌɛrɪn ɡə ˈbrɑː/, sometimes Erin go Braugh, is the anglicisation of an Irish language phrase, Éirinn go Brách, and is used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever though I always thought it meant "Ireland the Great"
The song here finds its origins in A traditional Scottish song from the 19th century entitled "Erin-go-Bragh" tells the story of a Highland Scot who is mistaken for an Irishman,but i have not found the exact origins of this modern version that has been written to describe events of during the Easter uprising of 1916. In 1969, the band Wolfe Tones released a song called "Erin Go Bragh" on their LP Rifles of the IRA. The song tells the story of an uprising in Ireland, talking about the courage of the Irish fighters. All 6 verses end with "Erin Go Bragh".
Here's the 19th century Scots version.
My name's Duncan Campbell from the shire of Argyll
I've travelled this country for many's the mile
I've travelled through Ireland, Scotland and a'
And the name I go under's bold Erin-go-bragh
One night in Auld Reekie as I walked down the street
A saucy big polis I chanced for to meet
He glowered in my face and he gi'ed me some jaw
Sayin' "When cam' ye over, bold Erin-go-bragh?"
— 19th Century Scottish song
Kind Regards
Jim Clark
All rights are reserved on this video recording copyright Jim Clark 2016
Here's a virtual movie of the the Rebel Irish Woman Kathleen Behan mother of Brendan Behan and the head of a family that became famous for its literary output and its Fenian roots.
Kathleen Behan was a unique character who lived through stirring times in Irish history and raised one of Ireland’s famous families.
Born in 1889, she spent most of her early life in an orphanage, but this had no dampening effect on her indomitable spirit. She took part in the Rising of 1916 and remained a committed Republican all her life. She was very proud of being a socialist and communist. ‘I’m not red, I’m scarlet’, she used say.
What makes her so appealing to me is her enormous sense of fun and her extraordinary repertoire of songs, some of which were recorded by RTE and on vinyl.
She married twice. Her first husband, Jack Furlong, died in 1918, leaving her with two sons, Rory and Sean. With her second husband, Stephen Behan, she had five children: Brendan, Brian, Dominic, Seamus and Carmel. The first three were writers, social activists and song writers.
Brendan became a world-famous playwright and novelist. Kathleen was devastated by his death fifty years ago this year. It is this anniversary which is inspiring the revival of this portrait of her ebullient life.
Erin go Bragh /ˌɛrɪn ɡə ˈbrɑː/, sometimes Erin go Braugh, is the anglicisation of an Irish language phrase, Éirinn go Brách, and is used to express allegiance to Ireland. It is most often translated as "Ireland Forever though I always thought it meant "Ireland the Great"
The song here finds its origins in A traditional Scottish song from the 19th century entitled "Erin-go-Bragh" tells the story of a Highland Scot who is mistaken for an Irishman,but i have not found the exact origins of this modern version that has been written to describe events of during the Easter uprising of 1916. In 1969, the band Wolfe Tones released a song called "Erin Go Bragh" on their LP Rifles of the IRA. The song tells the story of an uprising in Ireland, talking about the courage of the Irish fighters. All 6 verses end with "Erin Go Bragh".
Here's the 19th century Scots version.
My name's Duncan Campbell from the shire of Argyll
I've travelled this country for many's the mile
I've travelled through Ireland, Scotland and a'
And the name I go under's bold Erin-go-bragh
One night in Auld Reekie as I walked down the street
A saucy big polis I chanced for to meet
He glowered in my face and he gi'ed me some jaw
Sayin' "When cam' ye over, bold Erin-go-bragh?"
— 19th Century Scottish song
Kind Regards
Jim Clark
All rights are reserved on this video recording copyright Jim Clark 2016
