O'Carolan, Turlogh

1670-1738

The last of the bards, sometimes called Turlough Carolan; was born at Newton, West Meath County. While still young he was made blind by smallpox. He learned to play the harp, using it chiefly to aid him in composing. He married Miss MacGuire of Tempo, and settled on a farm. In 1692 he became a wandering bard. His fine voice, genial disposition and genius at composing songs made him welcome everywhere. His compositions were chiefly in celebration of his hosts and the ladies of the families who entertained him and his companions, but he also wrote some church-music, notably Gloria in excelsis Deo, and Resurrection. Of his compositions probably the best known are The Fairy Queen; The Princess Royal; Gracey Nugent; Bridget Cruise; Devotion, the only one of his two hundred songs that is written in English; O'Rourke's Feast or Carolan's Receipt; Why, Liquor of Life, Do I Love You So; Bumpers, Squire Jones; and a monody in memory of his wife. He died at Alderford, the home of his childhood friends, the MacDermot Roes, and was buried in the churchyard at Killronan, after a four days' wake, which was attended by hundreds of his admirers. He was high in the esteem of Geminiani and others, beside his own countrymen. Some of his songs were printed in Aria di Camera by Dwight in 1727, a collection was published by his son in London in 1747, and Terence Carolan's collection appeared in 1780.