Tag: Musician

#OTD in 1945 – Birth of Van Morrison “Van the Man” in Belfast.

31/08/2023.Reading time 1 minute.

The Belfast Cowboy first achieved fame with R&B band, Them, with whom he recorded Gloria, a song that still as fresh today as in 1964. A strong claim could be made that Van Morrison is the finest composer ever produced by the Emerald Isle. His body of work ranges from glorious pop like Brown Eyed […]

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#OTD in 1738 – Irish harpist and composer, Turlough O’Carolan, died at Alderford House, the home of his patron Máire MacDermott Roe, in Ballyfarnan, Co Roscommon.

25/03/2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Death of Irish harpist and composer Turlough O’Carolan. His wake lasted four days! At age 18, he was blinded by smallpox and took to playing the harp. O’Carolan travelled Ireland most of his life as a wandering minstrel and composer achieving a level of fame that was unusual for the time. At age fifty he […]

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#OTD in 1942 – Birth of artist and musician, Phil Coulter, in Co Derry.

19/02/2023.Reading time 4 minutes.

Coulter’s father, also called Phil, encouraged music in the house. He played the fiddle whilst his wife played the upright piano. The younger Coulter recalls this piano, made by Challen, as ‘the most important piece of furniture in the house’. ‘I always stayed away from the fiddle, having inflicted enough pain on my family with […]

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#OTD in 1935 – Birth of musician, Ciarán Bourke, in Dublin. He was one of the original founding members of The Dubliners.

18/02/2023.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Ciarán Bourke was one of the original members of The Dubliners, his versatility was his hallmark which included the playing of the tin whistle, harmonica, and guitar, as well as singing. He was the only member of the group to receive a university education and was also fluent in Irish. Bourke collapsed on stage from […]

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‘Winter’ by Tommy Makem

22/12/2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

WINTER, a sharp bitter day the robin turns plump against the cold the sun is weak silver faded from gold he is late in his coming and short in his stay Man, beast, bird and air all purging, all cleansing, earth already purified awaits the rite of spring Her bridal gown a virgin snow and […]

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Róisín Dubh (Black Rose) by Phil Lynott

01/10/2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

The song was inspired by Phil Lynott’s fascination with Irish history and Celtic mythology, and ironically was to become his epitaph. Go dtuga Dia suaimhneas da anam. ‘Róisín Dubh (Black Rose)’Phil Lynott Tell me the legends of long agoWhen the kings and queens would danceIn the realm of the Black RosePlay me the melodies I […]

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#OTD in 1945 – Birth of Van Morrison “Van the Man” in Belfast.

31/08/2022.Reading time 1 minute.

The Belfast Cowboy first achieved fame with R&B band, Them, with whom he recorded Gloria, a song that still as fresh today as in 1964. A strong claim could be made that Van Morrison is the finest composer ever produced by the Emerald Isle. His body of work ranges from glorious pop like Brown Eyed […]

Read More

#OTD in 1738 – Irish harpist and composer, Turlough O’Carolan, died at Alderford House, the home of his patron Máire MacDermott Roe, in Ballyfarnan, Co Roscommon.

25/03/2022.Reading time less than 1 minute.

Death of Irish harpist and composer Turlough O’Carolan. His wake lasted four days! At age 18, he was blinded by smallpox and took to playing the harp. O’Carolan travelled Ireland most of his life as a wandering minstrel and composer achieving a level of fame that was unusual for the time. At age fifty he […]

Read More