Toirdhealbhach Ó Cearbhalláin - Turlough O'Carolan

Carolan's Portrait
In National Galary of Ireland
Carolan's Portrait painted from life.

"Of all the bards this country has ever produced, the last and the greatest was Carolan the blind. He was at once a poet, a musician, a composer, and sang his own verses to his harp."... Oliver Goldsmith as found in Ó Máille p. 39.

Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738) earned his living by composing and playing songs for his patrons. He is said to have composed the tunes by fingering the buttons on his coat while traveling on horseback to a patron's home. He would compose the melody first and then the lyrics. Hardiman says that Carolan's portrait above was painted by Dutch artist Johann Van der Hagen. It is unlikely that this is so because the harp is out of perspective and a Dutch master would not have allowed this flaw. It was probably painted by Mr. Francis Bindon of Doonaass in County Clare as suggested by Myles John O'Reilly.

Carolan's Tunes as numbered and published by Donal O'Sullivan

aluth
Tune 1 - 14

1. Banthiarna Atha an Riogh - Lady Athenry -ie
2. Mrs Bermingham 1st Air -ie
3. Mrs Bermingham - 2 air -ie
4. Seamus Biataigh - James Betagh -ie
5. Banthiarna Bhlanaigh - Lady Blayney -ie
6. Seórsa Brabston 1 - George Brabazon
7. Seórsa Brabston 2 - George Brabazon -ie
8. Uillioc Burca - Sir Ulick Burke -e8
9. Fachtna De Burgh - Sir Festus Burke -ie
10. Lady Laetitia Burke -ie
11. Tomás De Burgh - Hon. Thomas Burke -ie
12. Sibéal De Burgh - Isabella Burke -e2
13. Tomás Burca - Thomas Burke -ie
14. Pléaráca Burca - Planxty Burke -ie

Harpers
Tune 15 - 46

15. Bean Cól - Mrs. Cole
16. Nansaí Cúpar - Nancy Cooper 1 air -e3
17. Nansaí Cúpar - Nancy Cooper 2 air -ie
18. Sir Charles Coote -ie
19. Éamonn Ó Corcráin - Ed. Corcoran -e2
20. Mrs. Costello - -ie
21. Pléaráca Crilí - Planxty Crilly -ie
22. Éaduard Crofton - Edward Crofton -e5
23. Séamus Ó Crofton - James Crofton
24. Beití Ni Crofton - Madam Crofton
25. Caitríona Crofton - Catherine Crofton ie
26. Brighid Crús - Bridget Cruise 1st Air
27. Brighid Crús - Bridget Cruise 2nd air e4
28. Brighid Crús - Bridget Cruise 3rd air -ie
29. Brighid Crús - Bridget Cruise 4th air -ie
30. Risteard Cusac - Richard Cusack -e2
31. Séamus Ó Dalaigh - James Daly -ie
32. Dochtúir Dubhshláine - Dr. Delaney -ie
33. Bean Dubhshláine - Mrs. Delaney -ie
34. Tiarna Duilleain - Lord Dillon -ie
35. Róis Duilleain - Lady Rose Dillon jig -ie
36. Gearalt Duilleain - Gerald Dillon -ie
37. Fainní Duilleain - Fanny Dillon -e2
38. Comhairleoir Duilleain - Coun. Dillon -ie
39. Lúcás Ó Duilleain - Luke Dillon -ie
40. Éamonn Doduel - Edmond Dodwell -e4
41. Pléaráca Dreú - Planxty Drew -ie
42. Seán Drúirí - John Drury 1 air -e1
43. Seán Drúirí - John Drury 2nd air -ie
44. Uilliam Eccles - William Eccles -ie
45. Bean Éaduirt - Mrs. Edwards -ie!
46. Bean Ó Fallamháin - Mrs. Fallon -ie

piper
Tune 47 - 76

47. Bean Ó Fergail - Mrs. Farrell -ie
48. Mrs. Featherston - Carolan's Devotion -i
49. Mrs. Garvey 1 air - ie
50. Mrs. Garvey 2 air - ie
51. Banthiarna Gethin - Lady Gethin -cie
52. Miss Goulding -ie
53. Seán Ó h-Airt - Bishop of Achonry
54. Mrs. Harwood -ie
55. Robert Hawkes - e2
56. Huilét - Hewlett Drinking Song
57. Caiptín Higgins - Captain Higgins -ie
58. Lord Inchiquin -ie
59. Coirnéal Ó h-Oireamhan - Colonel J Irwin
60. Coirnéal Ó h-Oireamhan- Colonel Irwin -ie
61. Seán Mac Séamus - John Jameson -e4
62. Baptist Johnston -ie
63. Seán Mac Seón - John Jones -e2 !
64. Loftus Jones -ie
65. Tomás Jones - Bumper Squire Jones
66. Robaird Iordain - Robert Jordan -ie
67. Carolan's frolic - Thomas Judge -e3
68. Bean Breitheamh - Mrs Judge -ie
69. Bean Cíl - Mrs. Keel, solumn air -cie
70. Dónal Ciallaigh - Daniel Kelly -ie
71. Aodh Ciallaigh - Hugh Kelly -e4
72. Seán Ciallaigh - John Kelly -ie
73. Máible Shéimh Ní Ciallaigh - Mabel Kelly
74. Pádraig Ciallaigh - Patrick Kelly -ie
75. Susaí Ní Chiallaigh - Susan Kelly -e2
76. Pléaráca Ó Ciallaigh - O'Kelly -ie

fiddler
Tune 77 - 102

77. Matha Pluincéad - Matthew Plunkett -ie
78. Hénrí Mac Diarmada Rua 1 - H. MacD -ie
79. Hénrí Mac Diarmada Rua 2 - H. MacD -ie
80. Hénrí Mac Diarmada Rua 3 - H. MacD -ie
81. Bean Mac Diarmada Rua - Mrs MacD.-ie
82. Áine Mac Diarmada Rua Ann MacDermott-e
83. Elís Mac Diarmada Rua - Eliz. MacD. -ie
84. Fr. Brian MacDermott Roe
85. Éaduard Mac Diarmada Rua - Ed MacD. -ie
86. Seán Mac Diarmada Rua - John MacD -ie
87. Inghean Mac Diarmada - Princess Royal -ie
88 Réalta na Maidine - Dolly MacDonough
89 Dochtúir MacMathghamha- Dr. MacMahon ie
90 Inghean Uí Muireachaidh - MacMurray -e1
91 Beití Uí Néil - Betty MacNeill -e5
92 Morgan Magan - Co. Westmeath -ie
93 Caiptín Magan - Captain Magan -ie
94 Cití Mac Aonghasa - Kitty Magennis -e1
95 Brian Mac Uidhir - Brian Maguire -ie
96. Constantine Maguire - Col. Con. Maguire
97. Fear Maoileoin - Mr. Malone -ie
98. Maighréad Maoileoin - Margaret Malone -ie
99. Catherine Martin -e2
100 Lord Massereene -cie
101 Bean Maicsbhiuill 1 - Madam Maxwell -ie
102 Bean Maicsbhiuill 2 - Madam Maxwell -ie

harper
Tune 104 - 126

103 Seán Mórdha - John Moore -ie
104 Peigí Morton - Peggy Morton -e2
105 Inghean Uí Murchadha - Miss Murphy -ie
106 Inghean Uí Noble - Miss Noble -ie
107 Seán Nuinseann - John Nugent -e
108 Bean Nuinseann - Mrs. Nugent -ie
109 Elís Nuinseann - Elizabeth Nugent -ie
110 Graesi Nuinseann - Grace Nugent -e6
111 Beití Ó Brian - Betty O'Brien -e3
112 Dónal Ó Brian - Donald O'Brien -ie
113 Fear Ó Conchubhair - Mr. O'Connor -ie
114 Seán Ó Conchubhair - John O'Connor
115 Muiris Ó Conchubhair - Maurice O'Connor
116 Muiris Ó Conchubhair - Maurice O'Connor -e2
117 Muiris Ó Conchubhair - Maurice O'Connor -ie
118 Bean Ó Conchubhair - Mrs. O'Connor -ie
119 Dochtúir Ó Conchubhair - Dr. O'Connor -ie
120 Micheál Ó Conchubhair - Mike O'Connor -ie
121 Micheál Ó Conchubhair - Mike O'Connor -ie
122 Donacha Ó Conchubhair - Denis O'Conor -e8
123 Donacha Ó Conchubhair - Denis O'Conor -e1
124 Bean Ó Conchubhair - Mrs. O'Conor -ie
125 Charles O'Conor - Carolan's student -ie
126 Manus Ó Dónal - Col. Manus O'Donnell -ie

piper-2.gif
Tune 127 - 157

127 Aodh Ó Dónal - Hugh O'Donnell -ie
128 Uilliam Ó Flinn - Wm. O'Flynn, butler
129 Coirnéal Ó h-Eaghra - Colonel O'Hara -ie
130 Cian Ó h-Eaghra - O'Hara's Cup 1st air $
131 Cian Ó h-Eaghra - Kean O'Hara 2nd air -ie
132 Cian Ó h-Eaghra - Kean O'Hara 3rd air
133 Caiptín O'Cahan - Captain O'Kane -ie
134 Inghean Uí Mhórdha - Katherine O'More
135 Bean Ó Néil - Mrs. O'Neill of Carlane -ie
136 Bean Ó Néil - Mrs. O'Neill -ie
137 Máire Ní Néill - C's favorite jig -e
138 Ó Raghallaigh - O'Reilly of Athcarne -ie
139 Conor Ó Raghallaigh - Conor O'Reilly -ie
140 Seán Ó Raghallaigh - John O'Reilly 1 -ie
141 Seán Ó Raghallaigh - John O'Reilly 2 -ie
142 Eoghain Ó Ruairc - Owen O'Rourke -ie
143 Máire Ní Ruairc - Mary of the fair locks
144 Pléaráca Ó Ruairc - Planxty O'Rourke 1 -ie
145 Pléaráca Ó Ruairc - Planxty O'Rourke 2 -ie
146 Frainc Palmaer - Frank Palmer -e
147 Squire Parsons - William Parsons -ie
148 Tóibít Peatáin - Tobias (Toby) Peyton -e
149 Seán Peatáin - John Peyton -ie
150 Neillí Pluincéad - Eleanor Plunkett
151 Séamus óg Pluincéad - James Plunkett -e1 !
152 Planstí Pluincéad - Planksty Plunkett -ie
153 Daíthí Poer - David Power -ie
154 Bean Poer - Carolan's Concerto -ie

player
Tune 156 - 186

155 Fainní Ni Poer - Fanny Power (Trench)
156 Mervyn Pratt -cie
157 Seórsa Reynolds - George Reynolds -ie
158 Lady St. John -ie
159 Uaisle Artúr Séan - Sir Arthur Shaen -ie
160 Major Shanly - cie
161 Carolan's receipt - Doctor John Stafford
162 Mrs. Sterling - cie
163 Carolan's Dowry - Captain Sudley
164 Pléaráca Suibhne - Mr. Sweeney -ie
165 Fear Bhailer - Mr. Waller -ie
166 Bean Bhailer - Mrs. Waller -ie
167 Uilliam Bháird - William Ward -ie
168 Pléaráca Uilginson - Wilkinson -ie
169 Banthiarna Rigson - Lady Wrixon -cie
170 Ginearál Bhin - General Wynne -ie
171 Fáilte Cearbhalláin - Carolan's Welcome -ie
172 Gan ainm 2 - cie
173 Gan ainm 3 -ie
174 Pléaráca Safaigh - Planxty Safaigh + ~
175 Gan ainm 5 -ie
176 Gan ainm 6 - Jem the Miller -ie
177 Pléaráca Ó Cearbhalláin -ie
178 Gan ainm 8 -ie
179 Marbhna Scott - Scott's Lament -cie
180 Máire Brún - Maggie Browne
181 Beo ar fad - All Alive -cie
182 Máire Dhall - Blind Mary -cie
183 Carolan's Cap - likely a nightcap -ie
184 Teachín Cearbhalláin - Carolan Cottage -cie

player 2
Tune 187 - 221

185 Cupan Cearbhalláin - Carolan's cup -cie
186 Carolan's draught - -ie
187 Carolan's Dream - -ie
188 Slán don cheol - Farewell to Music
189 Carolan's maggot - Capriccio -ie
190 Carolan's quarrel - with Landlady -ie
191 Carolan's ramble - to Cashel -ie
192 Cremonea - The Heart of Munster -ie
193 The dark plaintive youth -cie
194 An Ardú - The Elevation (at mass) -ie
195 Banríon Sí - Faerie Queen
196 Bean an Leanna - The Landlady
197 Óid ar Uisce beatha - Ode to whiskey
198 Buidéal eile - One bottle more
199 Féasta Ó Ruairc - O'Rourke's Feast
200 Domhain na farraige - The Seas are deep -ie
201 Separation of Body & Soul - ie
202 Sí beag Sí mhor - Faerie hosts
203 Beirt Uilliam Dáibhis - Two Wm. Davises
204 Cock up your beaver -i2
205 When She cam ben -i
206 Uillioc Burca - Lament for Ulick Burke -e3
207 Marbhna Cléire - The Clergy's Lament -ie
208 Tiarna Gaillimhe - Lament for Lord Galway -ie
209 Mac Cába - Elegy for Charles MacCabe
210 Lament for Terence MacDonough
211 Eoghain Ó Néill - Lament Owen Roe O'Neill
212 Eoghain Ó Ruairc - Lament Owen O'Rourke -e
213 Lament for Squire Wood -ie
214 Caiptín Ó Néill - Captain O'Neill -ie

Non-O'Sullivan set of Carolan Tunes

Carolan's Harp
Carolan's Harp
National Museum of Ireland
Máire Ní Guidhir - Molly Maguire
Bean fhial - Generous Woman
Móin féaruil - Grassy Turf
Fomhar Rósin - Little Harvest Rose
Maidin beatha - Morning of Life
Áille ag gol - Beauty in Tears
Pléaráca Mac Diarmada - McDermott
Catherine Nowlan -
Nansaí Ni Bheirnon - Nancy Vernon
Planxty Dobbins -
Diarmaid Ó Doud - Dermott O'Dowd
Sacking of Charles MacCabe -
Scoulding Match -
Éirí na gealai - Rising of the moon
Máire Mac Diarmada Rua - Mary Dermott
Tomás Leicslip - Thomas Leixlip
Bríd óg; - Young Bridget
Úna - Winnifred
Caitríona Ní Néill - Young Catherine
Turlough óg - Young Terry McDonouogh
Eveleen Bower -
Nansaí Mac Diarmada Rua - Nancy Dermott

Thanks to Mike Lydiat, Sheffield, South Yorkshire, UK. for midis
http://www.docsworkshop.force9.co.uk/music.htm

Mouseover any hot link to view sequencer's name.
Thanks to Chris Gilb for permission to use a number of midis and notations with credit given.
The Poems of Carolan Amhráin Chearbhalláin by Tómas Ó Máille Irish Text Society,1916.
O'Sullivan's 1927 et seq. 2 vol editions of Bunting's 1796-1840 publications, (Originally published in Journal of the Irish Folk Song Society)
Neither Edward Bunting nor Donal O'Sullivan had their works copywrited.
Portrait: Frontispiece Op. cit. O'Sullivan vol 1.
The Complete Works of O'Carolan: Irish Harper & Composer (1670-1738) published by Ossian Publications, Ireland in 1984 ISBN 0 946005 16 8
Captain O'Neill was recently discovered and added by Ossian to their latest edition.

Red italics indicate that the lyrics accompany the music.
Green italics indicate that the lyrics accompany the music but it is not yet published.
-ie means lacks Irish & English lyrics
-e means only lacks English lyrics
Courtesy of Vivian & Jack Hennessey, IrishPage.com Jan, 2024.
89 Oliver Plunkett's head Carolan's Best tunes


Filleadh go inneacs
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