Teresa Brayton

Have you ever heard the song ‘The Old Bog Road’? I am sure it has been sung at many the ballad session, particularly amongst the Irish abroad. It was written by a woman from Kilcock, county Kildare who herself was an Irish emigrant. Born at Kilbrook in Kildare in 1868, Brayton emigrated to America in 1895. When she returned to live permanently in Ireland in 1932 her story was widely publicised:

The well-known author of "The Old Bog Road," " A Thousand More," " Old Father O'Donoghue," and many other songs, known to the Irish everywhere, has recently returned from America to Ireland, where, she informed an Irish Press representative yesterday, she now intends to remain.

Miss Brayton, who is a native of Hilbrook, Co. Kildare, has been in America for over twenty years. At present she is residing in Bray.

Beginning her literary career at the age of twelve, her work has appeared in the New York "Monitor," the San Francisco " Monitor," Syracuse " Sun," " Rosary Magazine " (New York) and in many other journals.

In America she was prominently identified with the Gaelic League and took a very active part in Irish activities.  She has published two books of poems, " Songs of the Dawn " (1913), which ran into several editions, and " The Flame of Ireland" (1926), which secured much attention at home and abroad.

Miss Brayton told THE IRISH PRESS representative that before leaving America, in December last, she was presented with a testimonial from the Irish Dramatic Society (New York) combined with all other Irish Societies in New York.

The New York Fianna Fail Cumann also presented her with an initialled handbag on the same occasion.

" I feel that it is the crowning glory of my return to Ireland that Mr. de Valera's Party has come into power," she said. " I think that the answer to Padraig Pearse's words, ' What if my dream should come true?' is already taking place in Ireland to-day."

For more information search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )