BIO: The Mulchinocks were people of some social standing in Tralee, Co. Kerry, but had come down a bit in the world, perhaps. In William Pembroke Mulchinock's time (1820-64) they owned a drapery shop in the town and lived in Clogher's House near the River Lee, from which the town takes its name. Traigh Li is "the clear crystal fountain" of the song, "The Rose of Tralee." Nearby is the ruin of Ballymullan Castle. According to tradition, William fell deeply in love with Mary, the daughter of a woman who worked as a domestic servant for the Mulchinocks. Because of the problems, social and economic, which followed what was then known as "marrying beneath your station," young William was quickly packed off to France. From there he made his way to India and was wounded in a war which had broken out. On arriving back in Tralee he saw a funeral coming down the street and was told it was Mary's. He joined the cortege and, as soon as he reached home, wrote "The Rose of Tralee." Having written poems for the "Nation" newspaper and other Irish journals, William left for New York in 1849, and gained a reputation there as a writer of lyrics. "The Ballads and Songs of W. P. Mulchinock" was published two years later. The list of patrons and subscribers included the poets Emerson, Longfellow and Whittier. "The Rose of Tralee" is not in this collection. By this time William had married, or perhaps the omission is due to a judgement that it was merely an unsophisticated song, and not for the eyes of America's leading poets. Mulchinock returned to Ireland in 1855 and died in Tralee at an early age in 1864. Co. Westmeath's John McCormack and his recording no doubt added to the international popularity of "The Rose of Tralee." At the turn of the century Irish sentimentality was an essential ingredient even among lyricists who had never set foot in Ireland. Up to the 1930s it was among the most popular of the songs in the singing pubs of Lancashire. Perhaps William Mulchinock would have preferred to be remembered by some of his more ambitious songs, but to have written the national anthem of his native county is no small achievement! Tralee is the gateway to Killarney, one of the world's best-loved beauty spots. THE ROSE OF TRALEE The pale moon was rising above the green mountain, The sun was declining beneath the blue sea When I strayed with my love to the pure crystal fountain That stands in the beautiful vale of Tralee. She was lovely and fair as the rose of the summer, Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me. Oh no! 'twas the truth in her eye ever dawning That made me love Mary, The Rose of Tralee. The cool shades of evening their mantle were spreading. And Mary all smiling was list'ning to me. The moon thro' the valley her pale rays was shedding, When I won the heart of the Rose of Tralee. Though lovely and fair as the rose of summer, Yet 'twas not her beauty alone that won me, Oh, no! 'twas the truth in her eye ever dawning. That made me love Mary, The Rose of Tralee.