Spancil Hill balladeer honoured by civic reception

THE story of the immigrant ballad Spancil Hill is as pertinent today as it was when Robbie McMahon first sang the song over 60 years ago.

That is according to the mayor of Clare, Cllr Christy Curtin, who led the tributes to the famous balladeer at a civic reception in Ennis.

At the reception in the council’s chamber, the audience jumped to their feet after the 84-year-old singer treated them to a rendition of Spancil Hill, a song he helped popularise over the past half century and more.