Composer, harpist and vocalist from Ireland who contracted smallpox, which rendered him sightless in 1688. His father worked for an iron foundry that was owned by the McDermott Roes. Mary Fitzgerald McDermott Roe took Turlough under her wing, educated him and trained him as a harper. He studied with her for three years, and then she gave him a guide, horse and some traveling money. Thusly, he embarked on a successful career as a wandering minstrel of sorts, composing and performing for some of the most influential and richest patrons in Ireland. These patrons, who lived in castles and great mansions, fed and paid him, and in turn, he would compose a piece of music for his host or another member of the family. Therefore, many of the songs he wrote are named after specific. These were called planxties, or tributes. His first composition is purported to be “Si Bheag, Si Mhor”. He toured successfully in this manner for approximately half a century. In addition to performing at private estates, he also supplied music for funerals and weddings.
In 1720, at the tender age of fifty, he married a young lady by the name of Mary Maguire. They settled in Country Leitrim, and had one son and six daughters. Mary passed away in 1733. Turlough followed suit on 25th March 1738 in Alderford, County Roscommon, at the McDermott Roe Estate. He was interred in the McDermott Roe crypt at KilronanBurial Ground.
In toto, over 200 of his songs have endured, thanks to the efforts of musicologists who wanted to preserve the tradition of Irish harp music. Some of these were published as early as the 18th and 19th centuries.
Donal O’Sullivan introduced Turlough’s music to a new generation in 1958. He included several of Turlough’s songs in The Bunting Collection of Irish Folk Music and Song and published Carolan—The Life, Times, and Music of an Irish Harper.
In the early 1970s, the Chieftains helped further revive Turlough’s music. Derek Bell, their harper, released a solo effort entitled Carolan’s Receipt. Eric Schoenberg, Glenn Weiser, John Williams and other artists have taken to performing Turlough’s music on guitar. Glenn is the author of Celtic Harp Music of Carolan and others for Solo Guitar. The Dubliners have also recorded some of Turlough’s works. Gamers may have heard the Irish master’s compositions without even knowing it: Some of them appear on the video game, Fate.
Some of his greatest “hits” include “Carolan’s Concerto”, “Dr. John Hart, Bishop of Achonry”, “Eleanor Plunkett”, “Fanny Power”, “George Brabazon”, “Hewlett”, “John O’Connor”, “Lord Inchiquin”, “Mrs. McDermott” and “Planxty Irwin”. He was also a poet, and penned “Miss Featherstone (Carolan’s Devotion)”, “Ode to Whiskey” and “Planxty Fanny Power (Mrs. Trench)”. For a snapshot of his music, check out Celtic Treasure—The Legacy of Turlough O’Carolan.
His legacy exists in other forms, as well: His likeness has been captured on the 50-pound note and in a portrait that hangs on the wall in the National Gallery of Ireland. Some of Ireland’s geographical features also bear his name, including the Carolan Corner shop and Carolan Road in Belfast, and O’Carolan Road in Dublin.
The Boys of the Isle recordings
Carolan’s Air (Turlough O’Carolan)
CD: Traditional Airs for the Celtic Harp and Fiddle—Gold Collection
Fine Tune 2221-2
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