Are Ye Right There Michael is a song by the 19th-century and early 20th-century Irish composer and musician Percy French, parodying the state of the West Clare Railway system in rural County Clare.
Because of a slow train and the decision of the driver to stop for no apparent reason, French, though having left Sligo in the early morning, arrived so late for an 8pm recital that the audience had left.
The ballad caused considerable embarrassment for the railway company, which was mocked in music halls throughout Ireland and Britain because of the song.
French reportedly responded "Your honour, I travelled by the West Clare Railway", resulting in the case being thrown out.
[2] A popular sung version by Brendan O'Dowda adds the following lyrics which may or may not have been part of the original: