Ballyjamesduff is immortalised in the Percy French song, 'Come
back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff' – a tribute to Percy French’s
jarvey, or horse-drawn cab driver. It is also home to the
award-winning Cavan County Museum, which depicts the entire
spectrum of Cavan's diverse culture, heritage and history. An
onsite craft and coffee shop are excellent places to relax.
The twin lakes of Nadrageel and Lackan provide excellent coarse
fishing and boats are available for hire locally.
Ballyjamesduff also plays host to the annual International Pork
Festival. Join in the carnival atmosphere, whether it's street
theatre events or performing troupes. Relish the flavor of roast
pig from the spit and enjoy the open air barbecues day and night.
There is also a traditional pig fair as well as farriers, coopers,
saddlers, wood turners and weavers all demonstrating their skills.
Enjoy the cookery competitions and food demonstrations in the
company of celebrity chefs at a festival which has something to
offer to people of all ages.
Come back, Paddy Reilly, to Ballyjamesduff
The Garden of Eden has vanished, they say But I know the lie of
it still; Just turn to the left at the bridge of Finea And stop
when halfway to Cootehill. 'Tis there I will find it, I know sure
enough When fortune has come to me call, Oh the grass it is green
around Ballyjamesduff And the blue sky is over it all. And tones
that are tender and tones that are gruff Are whispering over the
sea, Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff Come home, Paddy
Reilly, to me.
My mother once told me that when I was born The day that I first
saw the light, I looked down the street on that very first morn And
gave a great crow of delight. Now most newborn babies appear in a
huff, And start with a sorrowful squall, But I knew I was born in
Ballyjamesduff And that's why I smiled on them all. The baby's a
man, now he's toil-worn and tough Still, whispers come over the
sea, Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff Come home, Paddy
Reilly, to me.
The night that we danced by the light of the moon, Wid Phil to
the fore wid his flute, When Phil threw his lip over Come Again
Soon, He's dance the foot out o' yer boot! The day that I took long
Magee by the scruff For slanderin' Rosie Kilrain, Then, marchin'
him straight out of Ballyjamesduff, Assisted him into a drain. Oh,
sweet are the dreams, as the dudeen I puff, Of whisperings over the
sea, Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff Come home, Paddy
Reilly, to me.
I've loved the young women of every land, That always came easy
to me; Just barrin' the belles of the Black-a-moor brand And the
chocolate shapes of Feegee. But that sort of love is a moonshiny
stuff, And never will addle me brain, For the bells will be ringin'
in Ballyjamesduff For me and me Rosie Kilrain! And through all
their glamour, their gas and their guff A whisper comes over the
sea, Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff Come home, Paddy
Reilly, to me.
Encore verse
I've struck oil at last! I've struck work, and I vow I've struck
some remarkable clothes, I've struck a policeman for sayin' that
now, I'd go back to my beautiful Rose. The belles they may blarney,
the boys they may bluff But this I will always maintain, No place
in the world like Ballyjamesduff No guril (sic) like Rosie Kilrain.
I've paid for my passage, the sea may be rough But borne on each
breeze there will be, Come back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff
Come home, Paddy Reilly, to me.