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Irish Folk Songs Trivia Quiz

Grab a pint, and take this quiz (and feel free to burst into song at any time!).

A multiple-choice quiz by astorian. Estimated time: 5 mins.

Author
astorian

Time
5 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
150,476

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
5 / 10

Plays
978

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Which is the best description of Johnny McEldoo? Hint

a drunken buffoon

a wandering tinker

a heroic warrior

a glutton

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What happens to the narrator of "The Black Velvet Band"? Hint

He's sent to an Australian prison for robbery

He sails to America to escape the potato famine

He's sentenced to be hanged for treason

He marries the prettiest maiden in town

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What gradually becomes clear in "The Seven Drunken Nights"? Hint

The narrator is a ghost

The narrator is planning to commit murder

The narrator is only pretending to be drunk

The narrator's wife is sleeping with another man

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. Where does the young Irish narrator of "Muirsheen Durkin" (sometimes called "Goodbye Mrs. Durkin") plan to seek his fortune? Hint

Boston

San Francisco

Australia

Chicago

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Question 5 of 10

5. What old Irish folk song about a pistol and rapier wielding highwayman was recorded by the heavy metal band Metallica? Hint

The Wild Colonial Boy

Whiskey in the Jar

Kelly, the Boy from Killan

Sean South of Garryowen

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. What ship was carrying "one million bags of the best Sligo rags"? Hint

The Irish Rover

The Merry Ploughboy

The Spanish Lady

Port Lairge

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. What song did the Chieftains record with the Rolling Stones on the album "The Long Black Veil"? Hint

The Foggy Dew

The Rocky Road to Dublin

The Star of the County Down

Marie's Wedding

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. Which drinking song begins "Oh, all the money that e'er I had, I spent it in good company"? Hint

All For Me Grog

Jug of Punch

Rosin the Bow

The Parting Glass

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. In the Irish sailors' song "The Holy Ground," what line is shouted repeatedly? Hint

No, nay, never!

Fine girl you are!

God bless Ireland!

Isn't it grand, boys?

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. "Past the Point of Rescue," which Irish composer Mick Hanly wrote for Irish folk singer Mary Black, became a smash hit on the American country and Western charts for which artist? Hint

Randy Travis

Kenny Chesney

Hal Ketchum

John Michael Montgomery

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Which is the best description of Johnny McEldoo?

Answer: a glutton

"Johnny McEldoo turned red, white and blue,
and a plate of Irish stew he soon put out of sight.
He shouted out 'Encore,' with a roar for some more.
He said he'd never felt before such a keen appetite!"

2. What happens to the narrator of "The Black Velvet Band"?

Answer: He's sent to an Australian prison for robbery

The narrator claims that a beguiling Belfast prostitute stole a gentleman's watch and planted it on him (a likely story!).

3. What gradually becomes clear in "The Seven Drunken Nights"?

Answer: The narrator's wife is sleeping with another man

Numerous clues make it obvious that the narrator's wife has been seeing another man while her husband has been out drinking- but he's too intoxicated and gullible to figure that out!

4. Where does the young Irish narrator of "Muirsheen Durkin" (sometimes called "Goodbye Mrs. Durkin") plan to seek his fortune?

Answer: San Francisco

"As sure as my name is Carney, I'm off to Californey! Instead of digging praties, I'll be digging lumps of gold!"

5. What old Irish folk song about a pistol and rapier wielding highwayman was recorded by the heavy metal band Metallica?

Answer: Whiskey in the Jar

Metallica's James Hetfield was a big fan of the Irish rock band Thin Lizzy, who had recorded that song years earlier.

6. What ship was carrying "one million bags of the best Sligo rags"?

Answer: The Irish Rover

The ship sinks, en route to New York, and only the narrator survives.

7. What song did the Chieftains record with the Rolling Stones on the album "The Long Black Veil"?

Answer: The Rocky Road to Dublin

"The Long Black Veil" featured performances by several guest artists, including the Stones, Sinead O'Connor, Van Morrison, Mark Knopfler of Dire Straits, and Tom Jones.

8. Which drinking song begins "Oh, all the money that e'er I had, I spent it in good company"?

Answer: The Parting Glass

Pierce Brosnan sings "The Parting Glass," among other Irish drinking songs, in the dramatic film "Evelyn."

9. In the Irish sailors' song "The Holy Ground," what line is shouted repeatedly?

Answer: Fine girl you are!

"We will drink strong ale and porter,
and make the rafters roar.
And when our money is all spent,
we'll go to sea once more.

FINE GIRL YOU ARE!"

10. "Past the Point of Rescue," which Irish composer Mick Hanly wrote for Irish folk singer Mary Black, became a smash hit on the American country and Western charts for which artist?

Answer: Hal Ketchum

Though Mary Black's roots are in traditional Irish folk music, she cites Aretha Franklin and Bonnie Raitt as major influences.

Source: Author astorian

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor Dalgleish before going online.
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