O' Carolan Inspires

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore wrote many well-known songs using the harp as a motif for Ireland. His works are known as Moore's Melodies and were popular parlour songs in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore wrote many well-known songs using the harp as a motif for Ireland. His works are known as Moore's Melodies and were popular parlour songs in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

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Thomas Moore (1779-1852) was born in Dublin. He was a friend of Robert Emmet, who led a revolt against the English in 1803. Emmet was captured and executed.

Moore was also friendly with many of the United Irishmen and sympathised with their nationalist aims.

Moore wrote over 130 songs and combined the words with well-known Irish music of the time. He wrote words to seven of Carolan's airs.

His ten volumes of songs were very popular and are referred to as "Moore's Melodies". In the songs Moore expressed the longings of the country for freedom and independent rule.

In many of his songs he used the symbol of the harp as a way of representing Ireland and her hopes for independence.