The Ballad of Patrick MacGill: An Evening of Words and Music

With Jane Cassidy, Maurice Leyden and Derek Williamson

Born in 1890 on a poor farm in Glenties, Patrick MacGill was hired out to work at the age of 12. Despite years of hardship, this young Irish migrant worker managed to educate himself and become famous as ‘The Navvy Poet’.

Belfast folk-singers Jane Cassidy and Maurice Leyden draw on Patrick MacGill’s poetry and autobiographical novels, in which he brings to life the soul-destroying struggles of the migrant worker. MacGill’s words are counter-pointed with folk songs from Ulster and Scotland on the themes of love, emigration, navvying and the lives of migrant workers. Maurice and Jane will be joined on stage by Scottish singer Derek Williamson who now lives in Donegal.

Together these talented performers bring to life the work of Patrick MacGill who was so inspired by place and what it means to call somewhere home.