Curragh Of Kildare

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The winter it is passed
And the summer’s come at last
And the birds they are singing in the trees
Their little hearts are glad
But mine is very sad
For my true love is far away from me

And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it’s there I’ll find tidings of my dear

The rose upon the briar
By the water running free
Bring joy to the linnet and the bee
Their little hearts are blessed
But mine can know no rest
For my true love is far away from me

And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it’s there I’ll find tidings of my dear

A livery I’ll wear
And I will comb back my hair
And in velvet so green I will appear
And it’s straight I will repair to the Curragh of Kildare
And it’s there I’ll find tidings of my dear

All you who are in love
And cannot it remove
I pity the pain that you endure
For experience lets me know
That your hearts are full of woe
A woe that no mortal can cure

And straight I will repair
To the Curragh of Kildare
For it’s there I’ll find tidings of my dear

Of great importance in the history of Kildare is the Curragh, which is the training ground of the Irish army. The Curragh Racecourse is also known as the home of Irish racing. Its position as a military training ground extends back to ancient times when the legendary hero Fionn mac Cumhaill and the Fianna practised their skills there, while the Anglo-Normans also used it for military gatherings.

From the sixteenth century onwards armies encamped there and a temporary camp was established in 1805 during the Napoleonic wars. However it was not until 1855 that a permanent camp was established.