The Bridge of Tears to the Derry Boat

Near Muckish Mountain, in the Gaeltacht district of Cloughaneely, is a small stone bridge known locally as 'Droichead na Caointe' or The Bridge of Tears.

In the nineteenth century, before a railway was built, local people emigrating to all parts of the World used this bridge on their way to Derry, the main departure point for Donegal emigrants.

The emigrants were often accompanied by their entire family and friends as far as the bridge, but always crossed to the opposite side alone. As most emigrants never returned, this walk had all the finality of a funeral. The English translation on a stone erected nearby reads: Friends and relatives of the person emigrating would come this far. Here they parted. This is the Bridge of Tears.

One of Percy French’s most famous songs stems from the area. While painting not far from the bridge, he fell into conversation with an old woman whose children had all emigrated. "T'was a lonely land to live in when the childer was away", remarked the old lady. This line so haunted French that on his return to his hotel at Falcarragh he composed "The Irish Mother."

You can hear the Donegal musical group Clannad and their haunting ‘Bridge of Tears' written by Noel Duggan on you tube.com:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypfIPWOj_8c