Paddy McGuigan
Encyclopedia
Paddy McGuigan is an Irish
musician who played for some years with the folk group Barleycorn
. He has written some Irish rebel songs, including "The Men Behind the Wire
", "The Boys of the Old Brigade
", and "Irish Soldier Laddie".
McGuigan wrote "The Men Behind the Wire" in the aftermath of internment
in Northern Ireland
. The song describes raids by British soldiers, and the "men behind the wire" refers to those held without charge or trial at Long Kesh prison camp
, Magilligan prison
camp and on board the Maidstone Prison Ship
. McGuigan himself was picked up in a later round of internment, which some saw as the British State's revenge for writing the song.
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
musician who played for some years with the folk group Barleycorn
The Barleycorn
The Barleycorn were an Irish traditional music band who also played Irish rebel music.The band, consisting of Paddy McGuigan, Liam Tiernan, Brian McCormick and John Delaney was formed in mid-1971...
. He has written some Irish rebel songs, including "The Men Behind the Wire
The Men Behind the Wire
"The Men Behind The Wire" is a song written and composed by Paddy McGuigan of the Barleycorn folk group in the aftermath of internment.The song was recorded by the Barleycorn in Belfast and pressed in Dublin by Release Records in December 1971...
", "The Boys of the Old Brigade
The Boys of the Old Brigade
For the English slow march, see The Old BrigadeThe Boys of the Old Brigade is an Irish republican folk song written by Paddy McGuigan about the Irish Republican Army of the Irish War of Independence , and the anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising.-Lyrics:The song describes a veteran of the Easter...
", and "Irish Soldier Laddie".
McGuigan wrote "The Men Behind the Wire" in the aftermath of internment
Operation Demetrius
Operation Demetrius began in Northern Ireland on the morning of Monday 9 August 1971. Operation Demetrius was launched by the British Army and Royal Ulster Constabulary and involved arresting and interning people accused of being paramilitary members...
in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The song describes raids by British soldiers, and the "men behind the wire" refers to those held without charge or trial at Long Kesh prison camp
Maze (HM Prison)
Her Majesty's Prison Maze was a prison in Northern Ireland that was used to house paramilitary prisoners during the Troubles from mid-1971 to mid-2000....
, Magilligan prison
Magilligan (HM Prison)
Magilligan Prison is a prison run by the Northern Ireland Prison Service situated near Limavady, County Londonderry. It was first opened in May 1972 and comprised eight Nissen huts on the site of an army camp...
camp and on board the Maidstone Prison Ship
HMS Maidstone (1937)
HMS Maidstone was a submarine depot ship of the Royal Navy.-Facilities:She was built to support the increasing numbers of submarines, especially on distant stations, such as the Mediterranean and the Pacific Far East...
. McGuigan himself was picked up in a later round of internment, which some saw as the British State's revenge for writing the song.