One of Mitchelstown’s favourite musical sons, Seanie Chamberlain recently penned an ‘Anthem For Mitchelstown’ and subsequently recorded it in the local parish church. The anthem features the pupils of CBS and Presentation primary schools with backing by The James Fitzgerald Memorial Band and was recorded by Seamus Hennessy of the Monorail Recording Studion in Ballyporeen.

Seanie has always felt that Mitchelstown should have its own song – one that could be sung at special occasions such as matches and other gatherings. With this in mind, he came up with a real rousing number. Played to a marching beat, we can expect to hear ‘Anthem For Mitchelstown’ ring out on many happy occasions in the future.

The recording was dedicated to the team that won the County junior football title recently. Jimmy Skinner, president of the Mitchelstown GAA Club said to dedicate the anthem to the team was a great honour for the lads ‘of which we are very proud’. Jimmy said he went through the convent gates 86 years ago and through CBS gates 83 years ago and has fond memories of both schools. The GAA, he said, has a very proud record in Mitchelstown going back to 1887 when the Mitchelstown Massacre took place in the square – an event that saw three people shot during a meeting of tenants who were being evicted. They constabulary tried to break up the meeting but they couldn’t because the tenants had blackthorn sticks. That’s where the club got its name ‘The Blackthorns’ and the minor team still go under that name, he said.

Jimmy said he made up a crest with the words ‘Cuimnigid ar Baile Misteala’ (Remember Mitchelstown) and the club have worn that crest with honour. He referred back to 1960 when the club won the minor title, captained by Ned Coughlan who went on to lift the All-Ireland minor cup; in 1971 they won the junior “and 50 years on, we have won it again”.

Jimmy finished by addressing the young people present, saying the young ladies are playing Gaelic games as much as the boys with camogie and ladies football and asked that in any game they play, they should do Mitchelstown proud.

Seanie Chamberlain wishes to thank Jimmy Skinner, Mary O’Callaghan, Pamela O’Sullivan, Kayren Hayes Brennan and Michael Dennehy who first used the anthem in one of his shows. Thanks also to Canon Michael Fitzgerald for allowing the use of the church.

An Anthem for Mitchelstown

by Seanie Chamberlain

M-I-T-C-H-E-L-S-T-O-W-N! Mitchelstown!

Such a lovely town, we all adore her

From Glocca Maura to Galtymore

Her square and streets well planned

She’s looking grand

We love her more and more.

Thru good times and bad we stand together

Three cheers for Baile Mhisteala

With resounding voice

we all rejoice

Mitchelstown for ever more.

M-I-T-C-H-E-L-S-T-O-W-N! Mitchelstown!

Our history is filled with noble heroes

St Fanahan in Brigown,

And Michael of old

Who gave us our name

We wear it like a crown

John Mandeville will be our inspiration

Remember Mitchelstown,

With resounding voice

We all rejoice

Mitchelstown for ever more.

M-I-T-C-H-E-L-S-T-O-W-N! Mitchelstown!

(repeat)