Cavehill Diamond (II), The

DESCRIPTION: There was a feud between Magennis and O'Neill. Princess Ellen, Red Hugh O'Neill's daughter, loved Magennis. She disappeared when she was to wed old Earl James. After three years Magennis went to consult a holy hermit living on Cave Hill. It was Ellen.
AUTHOR: unknown
EARLIEST DATE: c.1890-1918 (J Nicholson ballad sheet, according to Leyden-BelfastCityOfSong)
KEYWORDS: courting feud reunion separation disguise royalty
FOUND IN:
REFERENCES (1 citation):
Leyden-BelfastCityOfSong 5, "The Cavehill Diamond" (1 text)
Roud #3579
CROSS-REFERENCES:
cf. "The Cavehill Diamond (I) (subject of the Cavehill Diamond)
cf. "Belfast Mountains (The Diamonds of Derry)" (subject of the Cavehill Diamond)
cf. "Belfast Town" (subject of the Cavehill Diamond)
NOTES [66 words]: The Diamond, though in the title, is never mentioned in the text; I suppose we are to take Princess Ellen as the diamond of the title. See "Belfast Mountains (The Diamonds of Derry)" for the background for the Cavehill Diamond. - BS
For Red Hugh O'Neill, see the notes to "O'Donnell Aboo (The Clanconnell War Song)." This seems to be the only song linking the O'Neills to the Cavehill Diamond. - RBW
File: Leyd005

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