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© Simon Chadwick 2022-24 cc-by (use it however you like but credit me). https://simonchadwick.net/projects for more information. SingingBlind
Irish language
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Number of harpers on this list:71
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Number written up so far:56
Virginia
Lough Sheelin
Benburb
1st Belfast school
2nd Belfast Irish Harp Society school (the Bengal Subscription)
Drogheda
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Kate Martinhttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/01/kate-martin.htmlNot mentionednearly blind, could walk without a guideOwen Corrf
Kate Martin
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Daniel (Donald) BlackSinging with harpBlindyes???m
Daniel Black
View the latest version online at
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Hugh HigginsSingingBlindyes???m
Hugh Higgins
bit.ly/19harp
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Thomas Shea (O’Shea)https://simonchadwick.net/2023/08/thomas-shea.htmlSighted and literateyes???m
Thomas Shea
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Charles Fanninghttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/04/charles-fanning.htmlSighted
Thady Smith a native of the County of Roscommon (Fanning’s father was Loughlin Fanning who was teacher of Hempson)
m
Charles Fanning (c.1736 - after 1792
Possibly a Teacher
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Rose Mooneyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/01/rose-mooney.htmlBlindThady Elliottf
Rose Mooney
KEY:
Possibly a student
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James DuncanSighted?Harry Fitzsimonsm
James Duncan (1747 – c.1800)
Student
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Patrick LindenpoetSighted and literate, “could read and write Irish very well” (O’Neil Memoirs)yes
Son of Patrick MacAlindon (Pádraig Mac Giolla Fhiondáin)
m
Patrick Linden
Teacher
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Richard McCloskey
https://simonchadwick.net/2023/12/richard-mccloskey.html
learned the song “Exile of Erin”
???m
Richard McCloskey, mentioned in O’Hart, Irish Pedigrees vol 2 p3 https://archive.org/details/irishpedigreesor021892byuohar/page/2/mode/2up?view=theater
Live transcription
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Hennesyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/09/hennesy.htmlblind???m
Hennesy (Dundalk) over 70 in 1804
School
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Denis (Dennis) Hampson (O'Hampsey, Hempson)
https://simonchadwick.net/2023/09/dennis-hampson.htmlSingingBlindyes
Bridget O’Cahan, John C. Garragher, Loughlin Fanning, Patrick Connor
m
Denis Hempson (died 1807, conflicting birth years)
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Charles Byrnehttps://simonchadwick.net/2019/07/charles-byrne.htmlSingingSighted?yesSelf-taught?m
Charles Byrne
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Patrick QuinWent blind as a childLindenm
Patrick Quin
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Dominic O’Donnellhttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/01/dominic-odonnell.html?????m
Dominic O’Donnell
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Arthur O’NeillSingingblind from accidentyesOwen Keenanm
Arthur O’Neill (1734 – 1816)
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William Carrhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/11/william-carr.htmlwent blind as an adultO’Neil, Quinm
William Carr (1777 - post 1810)
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O’Connor???m
O’Connor from Co Tyrone, son a piper in Malahide / Howth born c. 1807?) (Hudson ms, NLI 7260)
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Bridget O’Reillyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/09/bridget-oreilly.htmlBlindO’Neilf
Bridget O’Reilly – is she the old woman not far from Virginia, over 70 in 1848? Is she the “female in Dublin” mentioned in 1809? Already a good harper by 1809, before she entered the Society. “Biddy Reilly" in Arthur O’Neil’s Memoirs?
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Patrick Carolanhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/12/carolan.htmlno infoO’Neilm
Patrick Carolan professor of the Irish Harp 10 Pottingers Entry (Smyths Belfast Directory 1820) Carolan (Freeman’s Journal December 17, 1832) (mentioned in John Bell’s notebook 1849) (Caroline concert Belfast Commercial Chronicle 2 Mar 1816
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William Gormanhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/02/william-gorman.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
William Gorman, entered June 08, aged 15 2 jan 1810, dismissed as incapable June 10.
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Patrick McGrathhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/08/patrick-mcgrath.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
Patrick McGrath (Dundalk) entered Sep 1808, age 14 on 2 Jan 1810
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Edward McBridehttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/11/edward-mcbride.htmlnearly blind from smallpoxO’Neilm
Edward McBride (Omagh) entered Nov 1808, age 19 on 2 Jan 1810 (The Herald, 29 Aug 1903, born 1793, lived Crevenagh near Omagh, died Dublin c.1824)
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James MacMonagal (McMolaghan)
https://simonchadwick.net/2023/01/james-macmonagal.htmlImpedimentNoO’Neilm
James McMolaghan (Lifford) age 13 on 2 Jan 1810, on tour and converted in 1812 (The Protestant Advocate, 1814). Played for George IV? (in Bell’s notebook) 1821 George Iv programme “James McMonagal” Also “Edward McBride who taught Mannigal (in Tree of Strings - is this a misreading?). Death cert for JAMES MCMONAGLE Letterkenny 1868 aged 72 IS NOT HIM (Farmer)
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Valentine Rennie (Rainey, Rainy)https://simonchadwick.net/2023/03/valentine-rennie.html
singing (Tom Moore songs)
literate, “defective sight”O’Neilm
Valentine Rennie (Glens) entered Feb 1809, age 14 on 2 Jan 1810
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Patrick O’Neillhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/01/patrick-oneil.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
Patrick O’Neill (near Dungannon) entered Jan 1809, age 13 on 2 Jan 1810. Recommended by Arthur O’Neill but too young to be the harper’s son who came out of the house and spoke in 1798
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James O’Neillhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/12/james-oneil.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
James O Neil, entered Feb 09, aged 17 on 2 Jan 1810, dismissed June 10. From Dungannon, Recomended by James McDonnell. Could be Arthur O’Neill’s son I suppose… Joined 86th Regiment in Oct 1812 – is this him? With harp. Limerick Gazette 2 Oct 1812
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Abraham Wilkinsonhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/01/abraham-wilkinson.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
Abraham Wilkinson (Ballymoney) entered Sep 1809, age 13 on 2 Jan 1810. Is he the Mr Wilkinson in Caernarvon Wales in 1840? ( Caernarvon & Denbigh Herald - Saturday 26 September 1840)
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Edward O’Neillhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/09/edward-oneil.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
Edward O’Neill (day scholar of or near Belfast in 1811 minute book)
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John Wallacehttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/10/john-wallace.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neilm
John Wallace (Day scholar in 1811 minute book)
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John MacLoughlinhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/01/john-macloughlin.htmlno infoO’Neilm
John Mac Loughlin played for George IV in 1821 and for O’Connell in 1833 (and 1829?). Petrie purchased his harp from him. (O’Currie iii p298). Died 10 Jan 1834, had performed in the Ship Tavern ( Dublin Observer - Saturday 18 January 1834) Presented with harp in 1827 by officers of 3rd regiment = Third Regiment of Foot Guards = Scots Guards I think
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Hugh Dornanhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/12/hugh-dornan.htmlPresume blind or partially sightedO’Neil, McBridem
Hugh Dornan (day scholar in 1811 minute book, age 29 in 1820). From Coleraine, played in Dr Corry’s Panorama and on Queen’s Island after it was renamed(Laverty in Belfast Morning News 15 Nov 1902 p6)
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Patrick Byrnehttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/06/patrick-byrne-part-1.html
Singing in Irish and English
blind age 2 smallpox
Irish only, no English until age 17
O’Neil, McBride, Rennie
m
Patrick Byrne. Is he GJ’s “Burns – Belonged to Drogheda he never played in Belfast”? Conflicting birth dates, traditions that he learned from Arthur O’Neil
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John McCotterhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/03/john-mccotter.htmlno infoMcBridem
John McCotter (age 26 in 1820, not present 1821)
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Thomas Hannahttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/04/thomas-hanna.html
Maybe, asks for the words of Lord Moira from Byrne
sighted and literate?McBridem
Thomas Hanna, from Antrim age 18 in McBride’s report 20 Aug 1821 (IHS PDF) Entered Society 21 Feb 1820. (from Castledawson in Herald 29 Aug 1903) Wrote letter to Patrick Byrne 5 May 61 (AHUp357) Died 3 Nov 1869 age 67, harper to Earl and Countess of Granard (Carlow Post 13 Nov 69)
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Patrick McCloskey / McCluskyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/10/patrick-mccloskey.htmlblindMcBride, Renniem
Patrick McCloskey. Entered society 8 Apr 1820, age 12 in Aug 1821 (IHS PDF) from Banbridge, discharged with Belfast made harp 1824, buried Kilrush Graveyard, near Lisburn (died 1826 age 19)
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Hugh Fraser (Frazer)https://simonchadwick.net/2022/10/hugh-frazer.htmlMoore songs?“sees indistinctly”McBride, Renniem
Hugh Fraser or Frazer, entered school as day pupil 7 May 1820, age 13 in McBride’s Aug 1821 report (IHS PDF) (from Armagh In Herald 29 Aug 1903). Died “last year” (Drogheda Argus 6 oct 66)
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Hamilton Gillespie (Graham)https://simonchadwick.net/2023/02/hamilton-gillespie.html“nearly” blind, wife was his guideMcBridem
Hamilton Graham Day pupil, entered school 21 Feb 1820, Hamilton Gillespie age 17 in 1820, age 18 in McBride’s report Aug 1821
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Jane McArthurhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/02/jane-mcarthur.htmlblindMcBridef
Jane McArthur (blind Ballycastle entered school 10 May 1821, age 17 in McBride’s report Aug 1821, discharged with Belfast made harp 1824 (IHS PDF)
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Alexander (James) Jackson (Jack)
https://simonchadwick.net/2023/05/alexander-jackson.htmlgave the wordsblinded by accident (GJ)Renniem
Alex Jack from Lambeg (age 12 in 1824, enrolled in 1822). Possibly the same person as James / Alexander Jackson. Lived in Lisburn till age 16. One of Rainie’s last pupils. Master of Society school 1838-40, played in Glasgow St Patrick’s Day 1842. GJ says “Alexander Jackson a good Harper taught in Belfast – Was born in Ballinderry lost his sight when a child playing Smoking cane Sticks”. Died 12 July 1857 (Banner of Ulster 18 Jul 57) age 46 (Belfast News-Letter, Mon 13 July 1857 p3)
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Martin Craney (Crenny)https://simonchadwick.net/2022/11/martin-craney.htmlWent blind as a childRenniem
Martin Crenny from near Larchfield, enrolled in 1822, age 14 in 1826 (IHS Calcutta). Craney in Newry in 1830 (Newry Telegraph 19 Nov 1830). Died Oct 1837 (Limerick Chronicle 21 Oct 1837)
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Matthew WallblindRenniem
Matthew Wall from Laois, enrolled in 1824 age 14, went to America
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Arthur Morganhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/05/arthur-morgan.htmlsightedRenniem
Arthur Morgan enrolled in 1824, age 11½ in 1826 (IHS Calcutta)
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John McMullanhttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/03/john-mcmullan.htmlBlindRenniem
John McMullan (age 10 in 1826, enrolled in 1824). Concert in Tholsel Kilkenny 1842
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Michael McCloskeyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/12/michael-mccloskey.htmlRenniem
Michael McCloskey. Admitted 1826, friends to pay. Concert with Fraser 1830
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Thomas Brownhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/08/thomas-brown.htmlblindRenniem
Thomas Brown age 11 when started at Belfast schol under Rainie in1826. Jackson says Born in Belfast and died in it. A good Harper. Died from a wetting coming from England to Belfast.
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Thomas Williamsonhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/08/thomas-williamson.htmlblindRenniem
Thomas Williamson aged 12 in 1826, admitted as day scholar then and to be upgraded when there was a vacancy
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O’Connorhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/01/oconnor.htmlSingingblind
Perhaps singing in Irish?
Belfast schoolm
O’Connor “from the Royal Harp Institution, Belfast” concerts 1836-1854
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Joseph Cravenhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/12/joseph-craven.htmlblind???m
Joseph Craven died 14 Sep 1869 Age 53. McManus Funeral in 61. Played for O’Connell. At the Ship from 1852
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P. Fitzpatrickhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/03/p-fitzpatrick.htmlblindBelfast Schoolm
P Fitzpatrick from the Belfast school plays at the Ship Tavern Dublin 1847 (Dublin Weekly Nation 11 Sep 1847) Waterford 1862 also called “Mr Patrick”.
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James McCurleyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/04/james-mccurley.htmlSinging Moore songsblindRenniem
James McCurley, assaulted in Cootehill 1853. Concerts in 1840-42 in Drogheda, Kilkenny, Newry. Big tune lists.
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Renniehttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/03/mr-rennie.htmlsingingBlindBelfast Schoolm
Renny performing with O'Connor 1845-7. Rennie “of Belfast”.
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Andrew Bellhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/04/andrew-bell.htmlblind???m
Bell Died about Derry (GJ). Concert announcements 51 to 60. Death notice for Andrew Bell, Castledawson, 3 Nov 1861 aged 46
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W. J. Winningtonhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/12/w-j-winnington.htmlno infoRennie?m
W. J. Winnington, d. 21 Sept 1833 while still a student (Belfast News Letter 24 sept 1833, see McClelland p24)
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William Murphyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/08/murphy.htmlsighted and literate
Yes (if we think he is Mr. E. Murphy in Cork in 1845)
Jacksonm
William Murphy (not blind, at the Belfast school in 1839 – see letter printed in Bunting 1840). Is he the same as E Murphy named as repeal harper in Cork Jun 45
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Patrick Murneyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/11/patrick-murney.html“Singing saloon"BlindRenniem
Patrick Murney
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Samuel Patrickhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/11/samuel-patrick.htmlSingingWent blind as an adultRennie, Jacksonm
Samuel Patrick b 1819, school 1834 to end (39 or 40?) Burned Rainie’s harp (Bell / Farmer)
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Hugh O’Haganhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/09/hugh-ohagan.htmlSingingBlindFraserm
Hugh O’Hagan (c. 1822 – 15 May 1886) Student at Drogheda, 1843
61
Paul Smithhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/05/paul-smith.htmlBlindNo???m
Paul Smith (death certificate: Musician, Dublin, 29 City Quay, 14 Aug 1904). Presumably the Mr Smith who Played at Adolf Sjoden’s festival in 1879. Hewson Harp NMI DF:1906.64 dated 1840
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Bradyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/11/brady.htmlblind????m
Brady played in costume in Temperance procession, (FJ 18 March 1841)
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Mary Kerr (Doran)sighted and literate????f
Mrs Kerr nee Mary Doran schoolmistress of Collon Co Louth married between 45 and 54 (eldest son Peter).
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Walkerhttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/03/walker.htmlsighted?Self-taughtm
(Thomas?) Walker (never heard fingering proper) Maybe him at 48 Nelson Street in 1852 directory
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William GriffithFraserm
William Griffith (student at Drogheda) Billy Griffin, took part in O’Connell’s Centenary in 187[3/5] (Journal of the County Louth Archaeological Society vol 2 no 2 sep 1909 p.207)
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J. BranaganFraserm
J. Branagan student at Drogheda, 1843. Played at Rokeby Hall Harvest Home 1849 ( Drogheda Argus and Leinster Journal - Saturday 03 November 1849 )
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Miss FlinnFraserf
Miss Flinn (student at Drogheda, 1843. MLOD p79)
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HalpinFraserm
Mr Halpin (student at Drogheda, 1843. MLOD p79)
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McEntegartFraserm
Mr McEntegart (student at Drogheda, 1843. MLOD p79) BUT also performs with Fraser Jan 42
70
DowdallNoFraserm
Peter Dowdall (student at Drogheda, 1843. Peter Dowdall, the clerk of the Drogheda Union. d.28 Apr 1902 aged 73
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Blakeleyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2024/02/blakeley.html???m
Blakeley (GJ)
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Sally Moorehttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/10/sally-moore.htmlblind???f
Sally Moore (GJ) “A Blind woman in Academy Street” (Belfast News Letter 15 June 1871). Is she Sarah Moore spinster musician d. 18 Nov 72 in Belfast workhouse age 40?
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Tom Hardyhttps://simonchadwick.net/2023/02/tom-hardy.htmlsingingblind??? Murney?m
Tom Hardy (GJ). Excursion (1858) Panorama (Belfast Morning News 1 Apr 1863) is he “A player on the Shankill Road” (Belfast News Letter 15 June 1871) Possible death cert Belfast Workhouse
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Roger (Roddy) Begley (Bagley, Bagelley)
https://simonchadwick.net/2022/10/roger-begley.htmlsang sweetly…Blind from smallpox??? Murney?mcccccc
Roddy Baggeley (GJ) Roger Begley, 3 College Court (Belfast News Letter 9 Mar 1853) 1864 return to Belfast. Diorama 1865. Daughter b. Bradford 1868. “Now in England” (Belfast News Letter 15 June 1871) Death record Dewsbury September 1896 age 63
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George Jacksonhttps://simonchadwick.net/2022/05/george-jackson-when-he-was-stringing-my-harp.htmlSighted and literateNoMurneym
George Jackson
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Virginia
Lough Sheelin
Benburb
1st Belfast school
2nd Belfast Irish Harp Society school (the Bengal Subscription)
Drogheda