Cottage by the Lee is a song written by Irish songwriter Dick Farrelly. It was composed in the early 1950s and is published by Waltons Music Publishing in Dublin, Ireland.
The song was originally recorded on the Waltons Glenside record label by the Irish tenor and actor Joe Lynch for whom it became a successful hit. "Cottage by the Lee" was one of the most featured songs for many years on the much-loved Waltons music programme which always finished with one of the most famous sentences in Irish music - "And remember, if you feel like singing, do sing an Irish song".
Dick Farrelly is best remembered for his classic song, "Isle of Innisfree" which was a worldwide hit for Bing Crosby in 1952 and was also chosen by director John Ford as the main theme music for his film, The Quiet Man.
Some of the artists who have recorded "Cottage by the Lee" include:
Daniel O'Donnell on Moon Over Ireland (2011)
Sinead Stone & Gerard Farrelly (Dick's son) on Legacy of a Quiet Man, an album of Dick Farrelly songs.
Larry Cunningham, Glen Curtin, Joe Cuddy, Diarmuid O'Leary & The Bards, Bridie Gallagher, Jimmy Crowley, Donie Carroll.