"Farewell to Carlingford" was written and composed in 1968 by renowned Irish folk singer Tommy Makem. The song first appeared on the classic album The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem Sing of the Sea, released that same year. 

The ballad tells the story of a sailor caught between his love for Mary Doyle and his irresistible longing for the sea. Although he repeatedly promises that each voyage will be his last, the call of the ocean always draws him back. The song gained worldwide recognition through the celebrated Irish folk group The Dubliners, whose recording helped make it a favorite among Irish music fans around the world. 

The Pub Runners performed "Farewell to Carlingford" at Lily Finnegan's in Whitestown, just a short distance from Carlingford, during their 2026 Musical Tour of the North of Ireland. Singing the song so close to the place that inspired it made for a memorable and authentic Irish musical experience. In their quest to “sing songs where they were written about”, the Pub Runners Musical Tours of Ireland have taken groups to the Irish countryside and into small villages where they join the band in singing songs. 

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"Farewell To Carlingford" performed at Lily Finnegan's Pub

Whitestown/Carlingford, Ireland

(released 2026)