| "Lovely Leitrim" | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Single byLarry Cunningham | |
| B-side | "There's That Smile Again" |
| Released | September 1965 |
| Recorded | 1965 |
| Studio | Eamonn Andrews Studios |
| Genre | country |
| Length | 2:36 |
| Label | King Records / R & B Discs Ltd |
| Songwriter | Philip Fitzpatrick |
| Producer | Noel Kelehan (musical director) |
"Lovely Leitrim" is a 1966countrysong written by Philip Fitzpatrick and performed byIrish showband singerLarry Cunningham and his band, The Mighty Avons. The song is aballad inwaltz time.[1]
The song is written from the point of the view of a member of theIrish diaspora dreaming that he has returned toCounty Leitrim, Ireland. Sites in the county mentioned includeLough Allen, theRiver Shannon,Carrick-on-Shannon,Sheemore andFenagh.[2]
"Lovely Leitrim" was written byIrish emigrantNYPD patrolman Philip Fitzpatrick (1892–1947), a native of Aughavas, County Leitrim.[3] The singerLarry Cunningham was actually from nearbyCounty Longford, not from Leitrim; his mother taught him the song.[4]
"Lovely Leitrim" was released by Cunningham in September 1965, and was number one on theIrish Singles Chart for two weeks in January 1966. On its success, Cunningham commented that, "Up to then they would throwpennies at you if you were ashowband playing aballad. But 'Lovely Leitrim' changed all that."[4]
The song has also been recorded byNathan Carter andBonnie Stewart.[2]
"Lovely Leitrim" is considered the county song of County Leitrim.[5]