The Brilliance of Turlough O'Carolan: Top Tunes To Listen

Turlough O'Carolan's music stands out in the style of Irish baroque and we have picked some of his most praised pieces. This list shows his skill as a composer and musician. Whether you know Celtic music or are new to it this list brings you closer to O'Carolan's work and is likely to help you value his art.

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Here we share Turlough O'Carolan's gems: the lively "Captain O’Kane," nice "Planxty Irwin," touching "Carolan’s Farewell to Music," pretty "Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór," strong "Carolan's Concerto," and beautiful "Lady Athenry" and "Fanny Power." We also show "George Reynolds."

The list we have started is only a preview as there is more to follow. In the next parts we break down each praised tune and offer ideas plus include selected videos for a fuller look. Continue reading as we check the art behind O'Carolan's music.

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A Glimpse into the Life of Turlough O'Carolan

Turlough O'Carolan was much more than just a harper as he was a travelling bard whose fresh spirit redefined the meaning of music in his time. Struck by blindness at a young age O'Carolan did not stick to normal paths. Instead he went on a great trip across Ireland writing tuneful ballads and songs that sang praises of his patrons.

Over two hundred years later O'Carolan's legacy lives on through more than 200 pretty tunes. These works hold a mix of inputs merging the old world feel of Gaelic harp sonatas that are key to Ireland's sound legacy with the pulling feel of folk tunes and the fine class of Italian baroque loved by his patrons.

While O'Carolan might not be seen as a composer in the way we define the term today many see him as Ireland's national composer due to his big effect on the country's musical tradition. The old Irish harping legacy valued by musicians such as Arthur O'Neill and Patrick Quin plus Donnchadh Ó hÁmsaigh is seen in some of Carolan's works. While several of his works show the clear mark of European classical music others like Farewell to Music pay honor to the Gaelic harping tradition and its lasting pull.

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For a more thorough introduction to Turlough O'Carolan, this well-researched book by Donal O'Sullivan titied, "Carolan: The Life Times and Music of an Irish Harper" is a great resource. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3ZH0hNP

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Here are some of Turlough O'Carolan's best compositions:

Captain O’Kane

Within the list of blind Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan the tune Captain O’Kane forms a great poem of sound. Made as an honor to the lively Captain O'Kane or O'Cahan a big figure from County Antrim this work is as strong and spirited as the man it shows. Publicly praised as Slasher O’Kane his bold persona is nicely echoed by Carolan's fine tuned melody giving us a musically told story of Irish history.

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Check out the album "Celtic Dreams - Music of Turlough O'Carolan (1670 - 1738)" on the Hammered Dulcemer. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zNaeP7

Planxty Irwin

Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan left a large legacy including the noted Planxty Irwin. Written for Colonel John Irwin of Tanrego House in County Sligo the piece has deep ties to the year 1713 which is the year of Irwin's return from wars overseas. Mixing bits of Irwin's big wins in Flanders the tune by O'Carolan outlives its time. Planxty Irwin stands as a lasting tribute to a special person showing the power of music in telling the many tales of life.

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Carolan’s Farewell to Music

Carolan's Farewell to Music holds a special place in history as the last work by the famous Irish harper named Turlough O'Carolan. Knowing his time was short Carolan returned to Alderford the home of his dear friend Mrs MacDermott Roe. As he lovingly shared his knowledge of his coming death he called for his loved harp to play one final work. This moving piece echoes the depths of loss and love felt for Carolan as it marked the end of a great musical trip.

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Check out the album "Celtic Harp, Vol. I: The Music of Turlough O'Carolan". By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4ehH0XG

Sí Bheag, Sí Mhór

Sí Bheag Sí Mhór meaning Small Fairy Mound Big Fairy Mound is a waltz from the magic heart of Ireland. It carries the honor of being famous harpist Turlough O'Carolan's first work. This charming tune often played slowly tells tales from old days about the fighting queens of Sí Mór and Sí Beag which are two hills in County Leitrim. Legend has it these hills were once battling titans changed by a wizard in O'Carolan's birth county of Meath. The lasting melody of Sí Bheag Sí Mhór shows O'Carolan's magic touch weaving folklore nicely within music.

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Check out the album "Turlough O'Carolan's Welcome to Music" by Ton Stringer. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4eokGMi

Carolan's Concerto

Known for its happy melodies the tune Carolan's Concerto stands high among the works of Turlough O'Carolan the blind Irish harper. Legend says that this tune was the winning answer to Francesco Geminiani's dare to create the best piece fast. The moving air silently tells the tale of Elizabeth Keating fondly remembered as Mrs Power of Coorheen in County Galway. Rarely known by Mrs Power it shows her life's lively chapters nicely mixed. Love for Mrs Powerfurther rings in other works by O'Carolan mainly in the tune for her daughter Fanny Power.

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Check out the album "The Last Irish Bard ~ Turlough O'Carolan" by Sakaue Masumi. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/47MV9tK

Lady Athenry

Lady Athenry serves as a calm honor made by Turlough O'Carolan for Lady Mary Nugent who later became Lady Athenry. This slow air rings with the sound marks of Corelli and Italian composers making it distinct amid O'Carolan's work. A close bond ran between O'Carolan and Lady Mary with frequent visits marking their friendship. Her story mixed with the history of Berminghams adds a nice layer to the work as this line traces back to the Norman invasion of Ireland in 1170. Lady Athenry remains a melody celebrating nobility and history plus the lasting bond of music and friendship.

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Check out the album "Turlough O'Carolan: Irish Folk & Baroque" by the California Carolan Consort. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4dmQQpZ

Fanny Power

The tune Fanny Power is a warm tribute by the gifted Turlough O'Carolan to Miss Elizabeth Power also known as Frances. As the heiress of David Power of County Galway her noted life was kept in this work made in 1728. Her father's home beautifully set by Lough Riadh led O'Carolan to call her the Swan of the Shore. Carrying echoes of family ties and loved moments between O'Carolan and the Powers the tune Fanny Power remains a nicely pulling mix that reflects the beauty of relationships shown in sound forms.

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Check out the album "The Art of Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738)" by J.J. Sheridan. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gWlcTt

George Reynolds

Turlough O'Carolan's amazing trip as a composer found its start in the home of George Reynolds his first patron set near Lough Scur in County Leitrim. This early work was made in 1693 when O'Carolan a blind harper was just 23. Reynolds a poet shared the tale of two nearby fairy hills and the great battle fought there sparking works like Sheebeg Sheemore and Fairy Queen. His push woke the composer within O'Carolan. George Reynolds carries this lasting legacy as the tune bridges time celebrating the helpful spirit that pushed O'Carolan into his great musical path.

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Check out the album "The Harper's Reverie: Irish Music of Turlough O'Carolan" by Joe Ross. By clicking this link, you'll be directed to its page on Amazon: https://amzn.to/3XLKsD7

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Final Thoughts

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Turlough O'Carolan's pulling works filled with rich Irish history and lore changed the sound picture of his time. His musical story covered both the life stories of his friends as well as the old Irish myths bringing them to life through his nice melodies. From the brave Captain O’Kane to the noble Lady Athenry and the pushing George Reynolds each tune carried a bit of life clearly painted on the canvas of sound.

Every piece shown in this article weaves its own unique tale showing the depth and variety of O'Carolan's skill. They echo an amazing trip that moved through personal setbacks shifting cultural scenes and close meetings with the lively Irish society of the time. O'Carolan's deep effect as a composer continues to ring in the halls of Irish and global music history speaking volumes about his great talent and his strong spirit.

In the tunes of Captain O’Kane and Sí Bheag Sí Mhór or the moving strains of Carolan’s Farewell to Music we find a proof to the blind bard's drive and fresh genius. Whether you are moving through the spirited rhythm of Planxty Irwinor the melodious charm of Fanny Power then O'Carolan's lasting works offer a deeply pulling musical experience. To value O'Carolan's music is to accept a slice of Ireland's cultural heritage ringing with the passion and power of a special harper whose legacy continues to pull and move.

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For a more thorough introduction to Celtic music, the NPR Curious Listener's Guide to Celtic Music furnishes an A-to-Z glossary of musical terminology, lists of essential CDs, a history of the art form and its profound influence on modern music, and profiles of notable musicians. Find out more through this link on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4gpW5rL