Flying Column - Folk Music Time In Ireland

The Flying Column was the name of a Belfast folk group formed in 1967 who took their name from the Active Service Units of the Irish Republican Army that fought throughout Ireland during the War of Independence in the 1920's. Eamonn Largey was the lead vocalist of the group and the founder, along with Paddy McGoldrick on tin whistle and vocals, and they were joined by Barney Evans on guitar and Sean Kelly on 5 string banjo. Kathleen McCready, who later married Eamonn and took his name, regularly appeared as a guest with the group at various gigs and on their albums. The group’s material consisted of Irish ballads and rebel songs and they appeared at various concerts, republican clubs and fund-raising events throughout the six counties. They also performed as the support act to many significant figures in entertainment such as the Dubliners, Joan Baez, Tommy Makem, The Bachelors and the Spinners. Kathleen Largey had one of the most distinctive voices and I would recognise her singing anywhere. This album was much loved around the whole of Ireland but played a special part in our lives in the north with it's songs of resistance.

1 Henry Joy

2 Come To The Bower

3 The Banks Of Ohio

4 The Boston Burglar

5 The Dying Rebel

6 Tom Williams

7 Belfast City

8 James Connolly

9 Whiskey In The Jar

10 When I Was Single

11 The Banner Strand

link to the free album

Flying Column - Folk Music Time In Ireland