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Local choir's poignant tribute to Duffy's Cut 24.05.13

MOVILLE Gospel are busy rehearsing for their Summer Festival debut in Ardara this Bank Holiday Sunday 2nd June.
The 30 strong Choir which has taken Inishowen by storm over the last few years are bring their own brand of uplifting music to the diverse Melting Pot Festival where they will sing at morning Mass followed by a full concert later in the day.
One interesting feature of their visit to south west Donegal is Ardara’s connection with the Duffy’s Cut massacre in Pennyslvania in 1832.
The atrocity involved the murder of 57 Irish workers (mostly from Donegal, Derry and Tyrone) who had only recently landed in Boston to work on the railway and contracted cholera. The victims were buried in a mass grave. The grave was only discovered six years ago and the one identified victim John Ruddy, a native of Inishowen, was buried in Ardara in March this year.
Moville Gospel Choir.
Moville Gospel Choir member Leo McCauley wrote his song '57 Ghosts' about Duffy’s Cut a few years ago. On hearing that John Ruddy was now buried in the church that the choir would be performing Leo set about getting permission to sing the song on the day.
“I sent the song to Vincent Gallagher in USA in whose family plot Ruddy is buried and he wholeheartedly backed the idea of singing it on the day. I also rang parish priest, Canon Laverty and he also had no objection.
"This is particularly poignant in that John Ruddy was originally from Inishowen and here we are, a choir from his home area, coming to sing at his graveside," added Leo.
"The song chronicles the terrible events at Duffy’s cut and culminates in the victims wishing to be brought home. We are happy that at least John is now home in Donegal.
“On a personal note it is a proud day for me to sing this song accompanied by such a talented choir and musicians and anyone who sees us at Mass or in concert later in the day will have a brilliant experience, I can guarantee that!” he added.
57 Ghosts of Duffy's Cut
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