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Jack McCutcheon's Car
The Derry Journal, 2004, ran a story about a song called 'Jack
McCutcheon's Car, which was about the first bus to run from Moville
to Greencastle and Shroove around the late 1920s-30s.
The next week they printed a photo of Jack McCutchoen's Car, which
was supplied by Greencastle Maritime Museum and Peter Smyth of the
museum said that the song was composed by Willie O'Doherty (father
of well known Derry man Don O'Doherty of pantomime fame) and Eddie
Godfrey, who were both employed at the City Factory in Derry. According
to Peter the song was composed in Rosie Gill's bar, which is now
Kealey's Seafood Restaurant and the bus was owned by Roberts &
Son, Foyle Street, Derry.
Christine Carlin, Quigley's Point, remembers her late father, James
Carlin, Cullinean, Redcastle, singing the song published below called
'Jack McCutcheon's Car'. According to Christine, her father was
a great entertainer who enjoyed singing music and dancing. "This
is just one of the many songs he sang". she added. "Jack
McCutcheon's Car was the first bus to run from Moville to Greencastle
and Shroove around the late 1920s-30s. It was a feeder bus and had
a mental frame while the body of the bus was made from wood. "This
song was composed in Rosie Gill's Bar and everyone present was given
a copy. Jack McCutcheon resided in Gormley's where Greencastle PO
is."
Christine who is a keen historian and collector of old come-all-ye
songs would like to say a special thank you to everyone who helped
her get all the words of the song. She would also like anyone who
has copies of similar songs like these to pass them on to her at
Arch Cottage, Quigley's Point.
Jack McCutcheon's Car
This year to Inishowen I went a few days just to prove
The Statements and stories I heard concerning Shrove
This place is now quite popular, its fame has gone afar
And one of the great attractions there is Jack McCutcheon's car
It's good for mind and body, this you can easily prove,
If you take a run with Jackie o'er the rocky roads to Shrove;
You will not forget the bumps and jumps, the rocks and the holes
there are
So take my tip and make this trip on Jack McCutcheon's car.
This is nothing worth while noting until you leave Moville;
For there you reach Greencastle, where Mrs Rosie Gill
Will give you a kindly welcome; there's Kealey's Hotel and Bar,
The home of many tourists brought by McCutcheon's car.
First class accommodation can be had on every hand.
As well as these I've mentioned there's the Fort Hotel and Grand;
The good name of these places, they are shown near and far,
They will soon be quite as famous as Jack McCutcheon's car.
When you leave Greencastle, you make straight for the hills,
You soon forget your city troubles, all your cares and ills;
It would take a first class jockey or a real seagoing tar
For to keep his seat on the road to Shrove on Jack McCutcheon's
car.
It's wonderful to watch him, how he keeps it on the road,
With twenty, thirty, forty, sometimes fifty of a load;
This car is supposed to hold sixteen, Jack will none debar.
No one is stranded by Jack McCutcheon's car.
The first road made in Ireland, so the archaeologists say,
Was that one from Greencastle, it's just the same today;
May it retain its ancient glory, free from stone and tar,
Till I go back to shrove again on Jack McCutcheon's car.
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