IRISH-IN-UK-L Archives

From: "Jean R." <>
Subject: [Irish-in-UK] Turlough O'CAROLAN - Blind composer/harper b. Meath1671, ties to Roscommon
Date: Tue, 7 Jul 2009 21:18:21 -0700

SNIPPET: Turlough O'CAROLAN, a blind, itinerant musician spent most of his
lifetime visiting the gentry in the ancient province of Connacht. Although
based in the Cos. Roscommon and Leitrim, he was also a frequent traveller to
Sligo, Longford, Galway and Westmeath. At a time when Irish life was bleak,
he brought music and news to an otherwise entertainment-starved society and
was held in high esteem by the Irish aristocracy.

O'CAROLAN, known as "the last of the Irish Bards," was born in Nobber, Co.
Meath in 1671, but for much of his early life he resided at Alderford estate
near the village of Ballyfarnon in Roscommon. Alderford was the home of his
primary patrons, the MacDERMOTT ROE family who had him trained as a harper
after he lost his sight to smallpox around the year 1688. Ballyfarnon lies
under the shadow of Kilronan mountain, in the coal and iron-rich Arigna
Mountains. These are the same mountains which drew O'CAROLAN's father Sean,
an iron worker, to the region. The scenic Arigna Drive traces a winding and
narrow path above the village and offers dramatic views of Lough Allen, the
first lake of the Shannon River.

The tiny, tidy village of Keadue, Roscommon, has hosted annual O'Carolan
festivals in August. For a week, traditional music, ceili dances, harp
concerts and competitions have drawn crowds that fill the village of 100 to
overflowing. At the edge of the village lies his grave in Kilronan Abbey
Church yard. So many visitors have stopped to pay their respects to
Ireland's beloved composer that a sign on the road points toward his
gravestone. Clonalis House, Castlerea, Roscommon, is home to the O'CONOR
family who are the custodians of the O'CAROLAN harp, which has been
carefully preserved. The present house was built in the 19th century and
there are many interesting documents relating to the O'CONOR family who
number two High Kings in their dynasty.

This thread:

• [Irish-in-UK] Turlough O'CAROLAN - Blind composer/harper b. Meath1671, ties to Roscommon by "Jean R." <>