Faugh A Ballagh
Encyclopedia
Faugh a Ballagh is a battle cry
of Irish
origin, meaning "clear the way". The spelling is an 18th-century anglicization
of the Irish language
phrase Fág an Bealach, also written Fág a' Bealach. Its first recorded use as a regimental motto was by the Royal Irish Fusiliers
in 1798. It remains the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment today.
It was adopted due to the blood curdling battle-cry of Sergeant Patrick Masterson as he tore into the French ranks, with Ensign Keogh, to capture the first French Imperial Eagle
to be taken in battle – during the Battle of Barossa. He was then heard to cry 'Be Jabers Boys! I have the Cuckoo!' as he held it triumphantly aloft to rouse the spirits of his men. Alas, Ensign Keogh did not survive the daring dash into the French ranks.
It was popularized outside of Ireland by the Irish Brigade – composed of the 69th New York Volunteer Infantry (NYVI) or "Fighting 69th
", the 63rd & 88th NYVI, and later the 116th Pennsylvania and 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment
s – which fought in the American Civil War
. The motto was also adopted by the 55th Battalion of the Australian 5th Division during the First World War.
Since then it has appeared rather infrequently in spoken language but has enjoyed some popularity in print, appearing on mugs, t-shirts, etc.
Historian and musician Derek Warfield
released a book and companion CD, which he entitled "Clear the Way", dealing with the history of the 69th Regiment.
There is also a dam and a road in Bendigo, Australia which is named Faugh A Ballagh.
The phrase is referenced in the Dropkick Murphys
' "The Legend of Finn MacCumhail" and "Heroes From Our Past"
The phrase is used in Irish Road Bowling to clear the road before a shot.
During the American Civil War in Company I, 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment, 104 of the 109 men were Irish Born. The men wore dark green uniforms; their banner was a Confederate Flag on one side with a full-length figure of George Washington in the center. The reverse was green, with a harp, shamrocks, and the slogans "Erin-go bragh" (Ireland forever) and "Faugh- a ballagh"- Clear the way.
Battle cry
A battle cry is a yell or chant taken up in battle, usually by members of the same military unit.Battle cries are not necessarily articulate, although they often aim to invoke patriotic or religious sentiment....
of Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
origin, meaning "clear the way". The spelling is an 18th-century anglicization
Anglicisation
Anglicisation, or anglicization , is the process of converting verbal or written elements of any other language into a form that is more comprehensible to an English speaker, or, more generally, of altering something such that it becomes English in form or character.The term most often refers to...
of the Irish language
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
phrase Fág an Bealach, also written Fág a' Bealach. Its first recorded use as a regimental motto was by the Royal Irish Fusiliers
Royal Irish Fusiliers
The Royal Irish Fusiliers was an Irish infantry regiment of the British Army, formed by the amalgamation of the 87th Regiment of Foot and the 89th Regiment of Foot in 1881. The regiment's first title in 1881 was Princess Victoria's , changed in 1920 to The Royal Irish Fusiliers...
in 1798. It remains the motto of the Royal Irish Regiment today.
It was adopted due to the blood curdling battle-cry of Sergeant Patrick Masterson as he tore into the French ranks, with Ensign Keogh, to capture the first French Imperial Eagle
French Imperial Eagle
French Imperial Eagle refers to the figure of an eagle on a staff carried into battle as a standard by the Grande Armée of Napoleon I during the Napoleonic Wars....
to be taken in battle – during the Battle of Barossa. He was then heard to cry 'Be Jabers Boys! I have the Cuckoo!' as he held it triumphantly aloft to rouse the spirits of his men. Alas, Ensign Keogh did not survive the daring dash into the French ranks.
It was popularized outside of Ireland by the Irish Brigade – composed of the 69th New York Volunteer Infantry (NYVI) or "Fighting 69th
69th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 69th Infantry Regiment was a Regular Army infantry regiment in the United States Army.-History:There have been three different lineages started under this number: The Famous 69th Infantry Regiment , and two under the Federal designation....
", the 63rd & 88th NYVI, and later the 116th Pennsylvania and 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment
28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment
The 28th Massachusetts Infantry regiment was the second primarily Irish American volunteer infantry regiment recruited in Massachusetts for service in the American Civil War. The regiment's motto was Faugh a Ballagh ...
s – which fought in the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
. The motto was also adopted by the 55th Battalion of the Australian 5th Division during the First World War.
Since then it has appeared rather infrequently in spoken language but has enjoyed some popularity in print, appearing on mugs, t-shirts, etc.
Historian and musician Derek Warfield
Derek Warfield
Derek Warfield is an Irish singer, songwriter, historian, and a founding member of the musical group Wolfe Tones.-Personal life:Warfield was born the eldest of four in Inchicore, Dublin in 1943 and he was educated at Synge Street CBS. He was apprenticed as a tailor until becoming a folk musician....
released a book and companion CD, which he entitled "Clear the Way", dealing with the history of the 69th Regiment.
There is also a dam and a road in Bendigo, Australia which is named Faugh A Ballagh.
The phrase is referenced in the Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys
Dropkick Murphys are an Irish-American punk rock band formed in Quincy, Massachusetts in 1996. The band was initially signed to independent punk record label Hellcat Records, releasing five albums for the label, and making a name for themselves locally through constant playing and yearly St....
' "The Legend of Finn MacCumhail" and "Heroes From Our Past"
The phrase is used in Irish Road Bowling to clear the road before a shot.
During the American Civil War in Company I, 8th Alabama Infantry Regiment, 104 of the 109 men were Irish Born. The men wore dark green uniforms; their banner was a Confederate Flag on one side with a full-length figure of George Washington in the center. The reverse was green, with a harp, shamrocks, and the slogans "Erin-go bragh" (Ireland forever) and "Faugh- a ballagh"- Clear the way.