SPANCILHILL

In their quest to “sing songs where they were written about”, the Pub Runners Musical Tours of Ireland have taken groups to the Irish countryside and into small villages where they join the band in singing songs. 

In 2022, the tour wound it’s way to Spancilhill in County Clare. It’s basically a crossroads but it is known for ancient annual horse fair held on June 23rd. The fair dates back over 400 years. The small hamlet is best known globally through the traditional Irish ballad of the same name, which tells the story of an Irish emigrant’s longing for home.

The Pub Runners were joined by local citizens and musicians, including one of Ireland’s best, Christy McNamara playing his squeezebox, in singing this song. 

In 2026, we produced a new version of the song recorded during a performance at the historic Ramsdell Theatre in Manistee, Michigan. 

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Spancil HIll performed at the Ramsdell Theatre

in Manistee, Michigan

(released 2026)