Turlough OCarolan's Si Beg Si Mor

Upon leaving Alderford at the age of 21, Turlough O’Carolan (1670-1738) visited Squire Reynolds at his house at Lough Scur. Mr. Reynolds was not very impressed by Carolan’s musical abilities and asked Turlough if he could compose music. When Turlough said he did not, Mr. Reynolds told Carolan that he “might make a better hand of his tongue than of his fingers.” As Reynolds had planned to leave for a few days, he suggested that Carolan create a tune about a story that was told in the local area of a great battle that was fought in ancient times between the kings of the fairies (sidhe, “shee” folk).

In that region of Ireland, a long time ago, as the story goes, a great battle was fought in a valley between two hills. It said that it was a battle where the celebrated Fionn MacCubhal and his Fiana Eirionn were defeated. One of Fionn’s heroes was killed there in that engagement and his remains is said to lie entombed in the small hill (Sidhebeg), and his equal in the opposing force, who was also killed in that same battle, had his remains placed in the center of the large hill (Sidhemor).

Many folk in that region speak of the Daoine Maithe (Good People), and few dare to call them by their fairy name of “sidhe” folk as this may run the risk of hastening one’s departure from this earth for which the sidhe folk are said to be the ferrymen for that task. The motes upon the large and small mountains upon which they stand are said to be inhabited by these spirits, and Sidhebeg is located near Squire Reynolds’ home.

Upon Squire Reynolds’ return, Turlough O’Carolan had composed the tune, and it has since become one of the more popular Irish tunes within the traditions of the Keltic dead.

As a note, a carn on Sidhebeg was found and excavated, being 5 feet 6 inches long, three feet wide, and 4 feet deep. Two human skeletons were found within that tomb, one male and one female, both facing the former royal seat of Tara. Though of great age, the woman’s teeth were found to be in a perfect state of preservation.