O’DONNELL ÁBU. O’Donnell Abu! – The Celebrated War Song, as Sung with Immense Success by C. T. McConnell in his Irish Entertainments. Written by M. J. (Michael Joseph) McCann.

London: Reid Bros Ltd. n.d. [c.1880]. pp. [2], 8 (inclusive of covers). Large quarto. 355 x 260mm. Pictorial upper cover.
“O’Donnell Abú” is a traditional Irish song. Its lyrics were written by a Fenian Michael Joseph McCann in 1843. It refers to the Gaelic lord Red Hugh O’Donnell who ruled Tyrconnell in the late sixteenth century, first with the approval of the Crown authorities in Dublin and later in rebellion against them during Tyrone’s Rebellion. The title refers to the Gaelic war cry of “Abú,” “To victory,” which followed a commander’s name.
Original sheet music as issued and not disbound from a collection. Some dusting to covers, otherwise a very good copy. Front cover illustration by Alfred Concanen. Back cover with advert and sample of new song ‘In Limerick City’. With the sellers stamp of Kearney Bros Musical Warehouse, Dublin. Not noted in the National Library of Ireland catalogue. Rare

[File A3. No 7 Sheet Music, etc. Under Stairs. Shelf 1.]