Turlough O'Carolan

Turlough O’Carolan: The Irish Vivaldi

By Geoffrey Cobb
September / October 2018

September 1, 2018 by By Geoffrey Cobb<br/><a href="https://irishamerica.com/archives/2018-archive/september-october-2018/">September / October 2018</a> Leave a Comment

In 1691, a poor, blind, twenty-one year old son of a blacksmith and his guide set out on a journey from a backwater estate, Alderford, near the town of Balyfarnon, County Roscommon, hoping to make a living as an itinerant harper. He seemed an unlikely figure to leave a lasting stamp on Ireland’s musical culture, yet Turlough O’Carolan would become a great composer, creating … [Read more...] about Turlough O’Carolan: The Irish Vivaldi

Weekly Comment:
Is “The Star Spangled Banner” a Traditional Irish Melody?

By Geoff Cobb
June 30, 2017

June 30, 2017 by By Geoff Cobb<br/>June 30, 2017 1 Comment

At first glance the claim seems like pure pub blarney: an Irishman wrote the melody for “The Star Spangled Banner.” There is, however, a strong basis to assert that the melody of our national anthem, in fact, is an adaptation of an Irish tune written by Erin’s greatest composer. If you half paid attention in school you know the Anthem’s story. On September 14, 1814, during the … [Read more...] about Weekly Comment:
Is “The Star Spangled Banner” a Traditional Irish Melody?