Turlough O'Carolan

Carolan the Harper

This is the only known contemporary portrait of Carolan. It was painted by Francis Bindon (c.1690-1765). He was a gentleman amateur painter, born in county Clare and best known for his portraits of Dean Swift, who was a friend of O'Carolan.

Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland

Carolan the Harper
Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland

Carolan the Harper

This is the only known contemporary portrait of Carolan. It was painted by Francis Bindon (c.1690-1765). He was a gentleman amateur painter, born in county Clare and best known for his portraits of Dean Swift, who was a friend of O'Carolan.

Courtesy of the National Gallery of Ireland

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Turlough O'Carolan was one of the best musicians of Ireland. He was born in the 17th century and is known as the 'last of the Irish bards'. He spent most of his life travelling around Ireland, singing and playing the harp. Only one of O'Carolan's songs is in English. All of his other songs are in Irish. However, he is most famous for his harp music.

Most of O'Carolan's music was not written down during his lifetime. It was collected during the 18th and 19th centuries. O'Carolan's music is still very popular today.