Search the Collection

Turlough Carolan

(1670-1738), Blind Irish bard

Sitter in 1 portrait
Born in 1670 near Nobber, County Meath in Ireland, Carolan's family moved in 1684 to Ballyfarnon where his father took a job with the MacDermotteRoe family. Mrs MacDermottRoe gave him an education. Carolan was blinded by smallpox at the age of eighteen and was apprenticed to a good harper. From the age of twenty-one Carolan travelled all across Ireland with his horse and guide composing songs for patrons and performing his tunes. He married Mary Maguire in 1720 and had seven children. Carolan's Concerto has been used as a neutral Slow March by the Foot Guards of the British Army during the ceremony of Trooping the Colour.

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation Close

List Thumbnail

Turlough Carolan, after Unknown artist - NPG D1214

Turlough Carolan

after Unknown artist
mezzotint, late 18th-early 19th century
NPG D1214

Category

Place

Comments back to top

We are currently unable to accept new comments, but any past comments are available to read below.

If you need information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service . Please note that we cannot provide valuations. You can buy a print or greeting card of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at around £6 for unframed prints, £16 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Use this image button, or contact our Rights and Images service. We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.