Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) may have lost his sight at 18
after an attack of smallpox, but he never let his handicap prevent him
from becoming one of Ireland's most famous musicians. He gained
great renown both as a harpist
and composer, and his songs such as O'Carolan's Cottage, The
Lamentation of Owen O'Neill and Planxty MacGuire still
enchant listeners.
O'Carolan grew up in the Roscommon village of Alderford near
Ballyfarnon, where he was apprenticed to a harpist after losing his
sight. When he was 21, his patroness, Mrs Mary MacDermott Roe,
provided a horse and servant so that he could travel throughout
Ireland. He visited many great houses where he literally played and
composed for his supper. In Dublin he met Dr Patrick Delaney,
professor of oratory at Trinity College, and through him was introduced to
the music of 18th-century composers such as Corelli and Vivaldi - music
which was to become a strong influence on him.
The melody Bridget Cruise is said to have been inspired
by a love affair when he was a young man. In later years, he was
helping pilgrims onto a ferry on Lough Derg, and at the touch of a woman's
hand recognised his love from the past.
Turlough's death in 1738 was an occasion of national
sorrow. It is reported that on his deathbed at Alderford he called
for his harp and played his Farewell to Music. He then
asked for a cup of whiskey, but being too weak to drink it, kissed the cup
explaining that old friends should not part without a kiss. Ten
harpists played at his four-day wake, and he was buried at Kilronan
Cemetery. Happily, more than 200 melodies of this last of the great
Irish bards have survived.