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Percy French

William Percy French (1 May 1854 – 24 January 1920) was an Irish songwriter, entertainer, poet, painter, and civil engineer renowned for his humorous songs and sketches that captured the spirit of rural Irish life.^[1]^[2] Born at Cloonyquin House near Elphin in County Roscommon to landowner Christopher French and his wife Susan Emma (née Percy), French was the second of nine children in a Protestant Anglo-Irish family.^[1]^[2] He studied civil engineering at Trinity College Dublin, earning a BA in 1876 and qualifying as an engineer in 1881, though he soon pursued creative endeavors over a full engineering career.^[1]^[3] French's musical career began in the 1870s while at university, where he composed his first notable song, the comic ballad "Abdul Abulbul Ameer", which became an international hit after its publication in 1880 and was whistled in ports from Chicago to Hobart.^[2] He worked briefly as an inspector of drains in County Cavan for the Board of Works before turning to journalism, editing the comic weekly The Jarvey from 1887 to 1889, where he honed his satirical writing.^[1]^[3] By the 1890s, French had established himself as a performer, starring in revues like Dublin Up to Date (1896) and touring Ireland, Britain, North America, and the West Indies with his one-man shows featuring songs, monologues, and banjo playing.^[1]^[3] His repertoire included enduring classics such as "Phil the Fluter's Ball" (1903), a lively depiction of a chaotic Irish dance; "Slattery’s Mounted Fut", a humorous tale of a mismatched couple; "The Mountains of Mourne", evoking homesickness for Ireland; "Are Ye Right There, Michael?" (1902), a satirical critique of Ireland's inefficient railways that led to a libel lawsuit he lost; and "Come Back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff", a poignant emigration lament.^[2]^[1] In addition to music, French was a prolific watercolorist, producing landscapes of Ireland and his travels that captured the beauty of places like the west of Ireland, with one such painting fetching €44,000 at auction in recent years.^[2] He also wrote poetry, including the narrative "The Four Farrellys", and librettos for comic operas.^[2] French married twice: first to Ettie Armytage Moore in 1890, who died in childbirth the following year, and then to Helen May Sheldon in 1894, with whom he had three daughters.^[1]^[3] His health declined after a 1916 train accident, but he continued performing until his death from pneumonia and heart failure in Formby, Lancashire, England, at age 65; he was buried in St. Luke’s churchyard there.^[2]^[1] French's legacy endures through his songs, which remain staples of Irish folk music and have been recorded by artists worldwide, with annual festivals and performances continuing as of 2025, cementing his status as one of Ireland's most beloved cultural figures.^[2]^[4]

Early Life and Education

Birth and Family Background

William Percy French was born on 1 May 1854 at Cloonyquin House, near Elphin in County Roscommon, Ireland, into a Protestant landlord family of Anglo-Irish descent.^[5]^[6]^[2] The French family had settled in Roscommon since the late 17th century, establishing themselves as landowners in the region.^[1] His father, Christopher French (1821–1897), was a Justice of the Peace and managed the family estate, known for maintaining relatively good relations with tenants during a challenging period for Irish landlords.^[6]^[2] French's mother, Susan Emma French (née Percy, 1827–1914), came from a clerical background in the Church of Ireland, with her father serving as a reverend.^[6] As the second son and third child among nine siblings—four sons and five daughters—young Percy grew up in this landed but relatively modest household.^[5]^[6] His early childhood was shaped by the rural Irish landscape of post-Famine County Roscommon, where the estate's grounds, stables, and interactions with local country folk provided an idyllic yet grounded environment.^[1]^[2] This setting exposed him to traditional folklore, music during family soirees, and the wry humor of rural life, elements that would later inform his creative perspectives on Irish society and themes of emigration.^[1] The socio-economic context of the era, marked by the lingering effects of the Great Famine (1845–1852) on landowning families, included broader financial pressures on modest estates like Cloonyquin, though the French household remained stable under Christopher's stewardship.^[1]^[2]

Academic Years and Initial Creative Pursuits

At the age of ten, Percy French was sent to England for his education when his family relocated to Derbyshire in 1864 to provide better schooling opportunities for the children. He attended a preparatory school at Kirk Langley for two years before boarding at Windermere College, and later spent a year at Foyle College in Derry.^[5]^[7] In October 1872, French entered Trinity College Dublin to study civil engineering, yielding to his father's wishes despite his growing interest in the arts. He pursued his degree under the professorship of John Chaloner Smith, who held the chair in civil engineering at Trinity from 1862 to 1895. French's academic progress was unhurried; he was conferred with a BA in 1876 and completed his BEng in 1881, later joking that he held the record for the longest time to obtain the civil engineering degree.^[5]^[8]^[5] During his student years at Trinity, French immersed himself in the college's vibrant social scene, whiling away time in music halls, theatres, and on tennis courts while developing his musical talents. He became proficient on the banjo and piano, often incorporating them into informal performances that showcased his emerging humorous style, influenced by his family's Roscommon roots and his mother's witty lineage. His involvement in these pursuits highlighted an instinctive draw to music and art, foreshadowing his later career.^[5]^[5] French's initial foray into songwriting occurred in 1877, when he composed the ballad "Abdul Abulbul Ameer" as an engineering student at Trinity, inspired by the Russo-Turkish War and crafted for a college smoking concert. Initially published anonymously after he sold the rights for £5 to a publisher, the song quickly gained popularity in music halls across Britain and America, though French received no royalties due to the lack of proper copyright registration at the time. This parody, with its exaggerated Orientalist duel between a Turkish warrior and a Russian spy, marked his debut as a comic songwriter and demonstrated his knack for blending topical events with absurd humor.^[9]^[10]

Professional Career

Engineering and Early Employment

Upon graduating from Trinity College Dublin with a degree in civil engineering in 1881, Percy French joined the Board of Works (now the Office of Public Works) as a surveyor of drains in County Cavan, Ireland.^[5] In this role, he served for approximately seven years, overseeing drainage improvement projects across rural districts.^[11] French's daily responsibilities involved extensive travel throughout Cavan's countryside, inspecting and managing land drainage systems to prevent flooding and support agricultural productivity. This immersion in Ireland's rural landscapes provided him with direct exposure to the motifs of peat bogs, winding roads, and local characters that would later influence his songwriting and watercolour paintings.^[12] The demanding fieldwork, combined with bureaucratic oversight, often left little time for creative endeavors, yet it is during this period that French composed several early works.^[13] The position offered a salary of £300 per year excluding expenses, though economic constraints of late 19th-century Ireland still posed challenges for his growing family obligations. The monotony of routine inspections and administrative duties exacerbated these financial pressures, prompting him to pursue writing as a side outlet for his talents.^[14] By 1888, a reduction in the Board of Works' staff due to budgetary cuts led to the end of his employment, freeing French to transition fully into journalism and entertainment.^[15]

Rise as Entertainer and Songwriter

After leaving the Board of Works, French edited the comic weekly The Jarvey from 1888 to 1890, where he developed his satirical writing. He then joined The Irish Cyclist newspaper as a sub-editor and columnist, writing humorous sketches under the pseudonym "The Knight of the Road."^[1] This role allowed him to hone his comedic voice, drawing observational humor from his engineering travels across rural Ireland, which informed his satirical takes on everyday life.^[16] From the early 1890s, French formed a pivotal partnership with Belfast-born singer and composer Houston Collisson, a classically trained musician who arranged music for French's lyrics.^[17] Together, they developed a variety act featuring banjo-accompanied songs, sketches, and comic operas like The Knight of the Road (1891), touring music halls in Ireland and England to enthusiastic audiences.^[16] Their collaboration peaked in 1910 with an extensive tour of Canada, the United States, and the West Indies, solidifying French's reputation as a charismatic performer blending music and humor.^[16] A defining moment came following the 1902 publication of his song "Are Ye Right There, Michael?", a satirical ballad mocking the West Clare Railway's notorious delays and inefficiencies, inspired by his own late arrival to a Kilkee concert via their service.^[18] Having previously won damages from the railway for that incident, French arrived 50 minutes late to the libel hearing, quipping to the judge, "Your honour, I travelled by the West Clare Railway," leading to the case's swift dismissal and amplifying his public fame through widespread press coverage.^[18] French's songwriting emphasized humorous yet nostalgic ballads capturing Irish rural life, emigration, and social quirks, often set to simple, memorable melodies that resonated with audiences seeking light-hearted escapism.^[16] Key examples include "Phil the Fluter's Ball" (1888), a lively depiction of a chaotic rural dance; "The Mountains of Mourne" (1896), evoking wistful longing for home amid urban contrasts; and "Slattery's Mounted Foot" (1889), poking fun at amateur military pretensions.^[16] These works, performed in his tours, established him as a leading voice in Irish popular music, blending wit with affectionate portrayals of national character.^[17]

Development as Painter

Percy French developed his skills as a painter in the 1880s, emerging as a self-taught watercolour artist during his time as a civil engineer and surveyor in County Cavan, where rural travels profoundly shaped his artistic vision.^[1] Inspired by the dramatic sunsets following the 1883 Krakatoa eruption and the everyday beauty of Irish countrysides, he began creating works that emphasized light and atmosphere over precise detail.^[1] His loose, impressionistic style focused on evoking the mood of landscapes, drawing from impressions gathered during engineering assignments and later tours.^[19] French's professional output was substantial, with over 200 watercolours produced, many depicting the rugged terrains of Connemara, Kerry, and Roscommon, regions that symbolized Ireland's natural and cultural essence for him.^[1] He first exhibited at the Royal Hibernian Academy in 1891, showing annually through 1899 and again in 1901, alongside displays at the Water Colour Society of Ireland and London galleries.^[5] These exhibitions yielded consistent sales, providing crucial financial support for his family amid the uncertainties of his entertainment career.^[5] Balancing his dual pursuits, French painted prolifically on the road during performance tours across Ireland, England, and further afield, often completing works in hotel rooms or amid travels to capture fleeting scenes.^[19] Art sales supplemented his income from songwriting and shows, allowing him to sustain both vocations without formal patronage.^[1] Despite lacking structured training, his paintings earned acclaim for their authentic portrayal of Irish identity, blending technical simplicity with emotional depth derived from personal observation.^[19] This visual work paralleled the landscape motifs in his songs, reflecting a unified creative response to Ireland's scenery.^[1]

Personal Life

Marriages and Family

Percy French married Ethel Kathleen Armytage-Moore, known as Ettie, on 28 June 1890; she was the daughter of William Armytage-Moore of Arnmore House, County Cavan.^[6] Their marriage lasted only a year, as Ettie died in June 1891 from complications during childbirth, and their infant daughter passed away shortly thereafter.^[20] The profound loss deeply affected French, influencing the melancholic tone in some of his subsequent creative works.^[1] On 24 January 1894, French married Helen May Cunningham Sheldon, a chorus singer from Burmington House, Warwickshire, whom he had met during the production of one of his comic operas.^[5] The couple had three daughters: Ettie Gwendoline, born on 4 November 1894; Mollie Helen, born on 13 March 1896; and Joan Phyllis, born on 21 April 1905.^[20] Helen played a central role in managing the household and raising the children while French pursued his itinerant career as an entertainer and painter, often touring across Ireland, Britain, and beyond.^[21] The French family experienced frequent relocations that mirrored the demands of his nomadic professional life, moving from rural Cloonyquin in County Roscommon to Dublin—where they resided at 35 Mespil Road—and then to London in 1899 or 1900, settling initially in St. John's Wood.^[20] These shifts between urban centers like Dublin and London and occasional returns to rural Ireland created instability, compounded by financial strains from French's inconsistent earnings as a songwriter and performer, which often left the family in precarious circumstances.^[21] Despite these challenges, Helen provided steadfast organizational support, while French's affable and humorous nature offered emotional ballast, fostering a resilient family dynamic amid the uncertainties of his career.^[5]

Health Decline and Death

French's health began to decline from 1916 onwards, following an accident in which he attempted to board a moving train but was dragged along the platform, suffering an injury from which he never fully recovered.^[22] This was exacerbated by the grueling performance schedules he maintained throughout World War I to support charitable causes, resulting in fewer tours and public appearances in his later years.^[23] In January 1920, French fell ill with pneumonia after performing in cold weather during a show in Glasgow on 16 January. He then traveled south to the home of his cousin, Canon John Richardson, vicar of St. Luke's Church in Formby, Lancashire, England, where he had gone to recover near family.^[24]^[1] Despite care from his cousin and family during his illness, French's condition worsened, and he died from heart failure following pneumonia on 24 January 1920 at age 65.^[5]^[24]^[1] A modest funeral service was conducted at St. Luke's Church, after which French was buried in the adjacent churchyard.^[24]

Musical Works

Notable Songs

Percy French composed over twenty songs during his career, many of which blended humor and pathos to capture Irish rural life, identity, and the pains of exile.^[25] These works were typically written for live performance, often drawing inspiration from his travels across Ireland and observations of everyday struggles, and were frequently accompanied by banjo in a lilting style that evoked traditional Irish rhythms.^[26] His songs achieved lasting popularity, with several remaining staples in Irish folk repertoires today. One of French's earliest hits was "Abdul Abulbul Ameer," a parody of a duel between two soldiers penned in 1877 while he was a student at Trinity College Dublin for a college smoking concert.^[27] The comedic ballad, set against the backdrop of the Russo-Turkish War, satirized bravado and rivalry through exaggerated verses, but French lost potential royalties when he sold it to a publisher for £5 without retaining credit or rights, despite its widespread success in English-speaking countries.^[5] "Phil the Fluther’s Ball," written around 1888 shortly after his graduation, humorously depicts a flute player in the fictional town of Ballymuck hosting a dance to raise rent money amid hard times, poking fun at rural poverty and community antics. The song's satirical tone highlights Irish resilience through lighthearted chaos at the event, where guests contribute with enthusiasm despite their woes.^[28] In 1896, French released "The Mountains of Mourne," a poignant lament from the perspective of an Irish emigrant laborer in London contrasting the city's fashions and bustle with the serene beauty of home in County Down.^[29] Its themes of homesickness and cultural dislocation resonated deeply, evoking the exile experienced by many during the late 19th-century diaspora.^[30] "Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff," composed in 1912, expresses profound nostalgia for a coachman named Paddy Reilly who emigrated from the Cavan town of Ballyjamesduff, urging his return to the idyllic rural landscapes he left behind.^[12] Inspired by French's own encounters during travels in the area, the ballad underscores themes of loss and the enduring pull of Irish countryside life.^[31] In 1902, "Are Ye Right There, Michael?" satirized the notoriously unreliable West Clare Railway, based on French's own delayed journey to a performance in Kilrush, leading to a libel suit by the company. French successfully defended the case; legend has it he arrived late to court and quipped that he had traveled by the West Clare Railway, prompting the judge to dismiss it.^[32]^[33] The song's witty complaints about the train's breakdowns and slowness amplified public frustration with infrastructure, blending humor with critique of everyday Irish hardships.^[33]

Operatic and Theatrical Compositions

Percy French collaborated extensively with Dr. William Houston Collisson, a Dublin-born musician and Anglican priest, on light operas infused with Irish themes, where French provided the librettos and Collisson composed the music. Their partnership began in the early 1890s, producing comic operettas that blended humor, satire, and folk elements to appeal to audiences in Ireland and beyond. These works often drew from Irish history, folklore, and everyday life, reflecting French's penchant for witty social commentary.^[5]^[17] The duo's first major success was The Knight of the Road in 1891, a comic opera that premiered at Dublin's Queen's Theatre, with French in the lead role. The story followed a wandering minstrel's adventures in rural Ireland, incorporating lively songs and sketches that captured the spirit of itinerant life. It achieved touring success across Irish provincial venues and later evolved into The Irish Girl, published around 1918, demonstrating its enduring appeal despite the era's preference for more conventional musicals. In contrast, Strongbow (1892), another collaboration, offered a historical comedy satirizing the Anglo-Norman conquest of Ireland through the lens of Richard de Clare (Strongbow) and his marriage to Eva MacMurrough; it premiered at the Queen's Theatre in May but received mixed reviews for its bemusing take on sensitive national history, limiting its run. That same year, Midsummer Madness, a musical comedietta, played at Leinster Hall in October–November, poking fun at romantic follies in an Irish setting but enjoying only a short engagement.^[5]^[1]^[34] Later works shifted toward family-oriented themes. In December 1906, French and Collisson presented Noah's Ark, a biblical satire framed as a Christmas children's play, at London's Waldorf Theatre; it featured whimsical animal characters and moral lessons, running modestly amid competition from established pantomimes. Freda and the Fairies (1910), a children's opera with Irish fairy-tale elements, followed soon after, though much of its music has been lost; it emphasized playful narratives suitable for young audiences. These productions, staged primarily in Dublin theaters like the Queen's and Leinster Hall, and occasionally in London, had modest runs due to the dominance of British imports and vaudeville, yet they were praised for their sharp wit and accessible Irish charm. French and Collisson toured Canada, the US, and the West Indies in 1910, incorporating excerpts from these works into variety shows that garnered acclaim abroad.^[5]^[21]^[35] A key innovation in French's theatrical compositions was the seamless integration of his popular songs into the operatic narratives, enhancing character development and audience engagement; for instance, tunes like "The Pride of the Parish" were woven into plotlines to underscore comic or sentimental moments, bridging his standalone ballad style with structured stage works.^[5]

Visual and Literary Works

Watercolour Paintings

Percy French was a prolific watercolourist whose works primarily depicted Irish landscapes, capturing the atmospheric essence of rural scenes with a sentimental Victorian sensibility and a keen sense of place.^[36] His style emphasized light effects, evocative moods, and the character of the countryside, often employing soft palettes including greens, blues, yellows, and browns to convey serenity and nostalgia.^[37] Influenced by his extensive travels across Ireland and abroad, French's paintings reflected specific locales, blending charm and observational detail in small-format compositions suited to his peripatetic lifestyle.^[38] French's technique involved creating watercolours during his engineering assignments and later entertainment tours, often sketching landscapes encountered en route before refining them into finished pieces.^[36] This approach resulted in a large body of work, with notable collections including around 90 pieces held by the Percy French Society at the North Down Heritage Centre, documenting scenes from his journeys to regions like the west of Ireland and beyond.^[37] He prioritized emotional resonance and the play of light over meticulous precision, sometimes bartering paintings for accommodations during travels.^[37] Among his notable works are landscapes of Connemara, such as "Peat Stacks, Connemara" and "Lake and Mountains, Connemara," which highlight boglands and rugged terrain with subtle atmospheric depth.^[39] Kerry scenes include "On the Rocks, Kilkee, Co. Kerry" and "Kenmare Bay, Co. Kerry," portraying coastal motifs with a focus on natural harmony.^[40] Representations of the Mourne Mountains, like "Among the Mourne Mountains" and "Where the Mountains of Mourne Sweep Down to the Sea," echo the nostalgic themes in his contemporaneous song of the same name.^[41] A poignant example is "Wherever I Go, My Heart Turns Back to the County Mayo," a Mayo landscape that sold for €44,000 at Whyte's auction on 20 September 2005.^[42] French began exhibiting in 1872 with the Watercolour Society of Ireland, of which he became a member, and showed regularly at the Royal Hibernian Academy from 1891 onward.^[38] He participated in a London exhibition in 1908, earning a commission for two works presented to the Queen of Spain.^[36] Posthumously, his watercolours gained renewed attention through shows at the Oriel Gallery in Dublin (1974, 1979, 1982) and a retrospective at the Ulster Museum in 1978.^[38] Auction records indicate strong market interest, with approximately 1,500 lots sold publicly according to askART; highlights include "Irish Sketches," a set of 13 watercolours that fetched €54,000 at Whyte's on 24 November 2008.^[42] Recent sales, such as a set of nine landscapes for €10,000 at Whyte's on 29 September 2025, underscore ongoing appreciation for his evocative Irish vistas.^[43]

Published Writings and Bibliography

Percy French made significant contributions to Irish periodical literature through humorous prose sketches and verse, particularly in The Irish Cyclist during the 1890s, where he became a regular contributor in 1893 and provided regular comic content reflecting everyday Irish life.^[6] He also edited the satirical magazine The Jarvey: The Irish Punch from 3 January 1889 to 27 December 1890, contributing much of its prose, poetry, and parody material that poked fun at Dublin society and contemporary events.^[16] Among his prose works, the sketch "The First Lord Lieutenant" gained widespread popularity for its witty historical satire.^[16] In addition to periodical pieces, French published Racquety Rhymes in 1888, an early collection of his light-hearted verse illustrated by his friend R. C. Orpen, capturing whimsical observations of Irish character and scenery.^[16] His verse appeared in various magazines, including parodies of popular songs and poems that blended humor with social commentary, though some manuscripts on Irish rural life remained unpublished during his lifetime.^[16] Posthumously, French's sister, Emily de Burgh Daly, compiled his scattered writings into key anthologies to preserve his literary legacy. These include Chronicles and Poems (Talbot Press, 1922), introduced by Katherine Tynan, which assembled his journalistic columns and poetry, and Prose, Poems and Parodies (Talbot Press, 1925), featuring humorous sketches, verses, and satirical pieces originally from periodicals like The Jarvey.^[16]^[44] Later editions of Prose, Poems and Parodies appeared in 1962 and 1964, while More Poems and Parodies extended the collection of his non-musical writings.^[16] French's early works were often self-published or issued in limited runs through Dublin presses, with broader dissemination occurring via these later compilations that highlighted his role as a humorist. Biographical and critical works on French have further documented his prose and poetic output. James N. Healy's Percy French and His Songs (Mercier Press, 1966) analyzes his writings alongside his entertainments, drawing on archival materials.^[5] Brendan O'Dowda's The World of Percy French (Blackstaff Press, 1981; revised 1997) provides an overview of his literary contributions, including verse and sketches, with musical transcriptions.^[16] Modern compilations, such as The Best of Percy French (2004), reprint selections from his prose and poetry for contemporary audiences.

Legacy and Recognition

Memorials and Tributes

Several physical memorials honor Percy French across Ireland, reflecting his enduring legacy as a songwriter and entertainer. In Ballyjamesduff, County Cavan, a bronze statue depicts French seated on a park bench in the town center, a tribute to his famous song "Come Back, Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff," which immortalized the location.^[23] The sculpture serves as an attractive streetscape feature and a reminder of French's time working as an engineer in the area.^[45] In Skerries, County Dublin, a memorial bench sculpture by artist Bríd Ní Rinn, installed in 2008, marks the seaside spot believed to have inspired French's song "The Mountains of Mourne."^[46] The work captures French in a contemplative pose overlooking the Irish Sea toward the distant Mourne Mountains. A commemorative plaque in Elphin, County Roscommon—French's birthplace—stands at the intersection of Main Street and Church Street; erected in 2004 by the County Roscommon Percy French Society, it marks the 150th anniversary of his birth with an inscription detailing his life and contributions.^[47] Additional tributes include dedicated spaces and annual events. The Percy French Room at Cavan County Museum in Ballyjamesduff features six original watercolour paintings, photographs, letters, and a video presentation of his songs, donated by the Percy French Society.^[48] In Strokestown, County Roscommon, the Percy French Hotel on Bridge Street bears his name, offering accommodation that nods to his regional roots.^[49] The annual Percy French Festival, held since 2009 at Castlecoote House in County Roscommon, brings together musicians, poets, and scholars for concerts, lectures, and performances celebrating his works. Marking the centenary of French's death in 2020, a new patinated copper sculpture was unveiled at the Slieve Donard Resort and Spa in Newcastle, County Down, incorporating lyrics from "The Mountains of Mourne" on curved screens mounted on a stone pedestal.^[50] Surrounding granite seats are inscribed with the names of his wife Helen and daughters Ettie, Mellie, and Joan, while the paving references key locations from his life, such as Ballyjamesduff and Roscommon. As of 2025, commemorative events continue, including live performances of his songs at venues like Solstice Arts Centre in Navan, County Meath, sustaining interest in his contributions.^[51]

Cultural Influence and Exhibitions

Percy French's songs played a significant role in the Irish folk revival of the 1960s, where they were adapted and performed by influential groups such as The Dubliners, who included tracks like "Phil the Fluter's Ball" and "Sez She" in their repertoire.^[52] This revival highlighted French's contributions to preserving Irish dialect humor through his use of Hiberno-English in lyrics that captured rural wit and everyday life, influencing subsequent generations of performers.^[2] His work also inspired later songwriters, including Val Doonican, who popularized songs like "Slattery's Mounted Foot" in his variety shows and recordings.^[53] In the visual arts, French's watercolours gained renewed prominence through the Oriel Gallery in Dublin, founded in 1968 by Oliver Nulty, which opened with an exhibition featuring French's paintings alongside those of George Russell.^[5] The gallery hosted multiple solo exhibitions of French's work thereafter, including major retrospectives in 1974, 1979, 1982, and 2011, which helped authenticate his output and elevate market values by showcasing over 80 pieces in some shows.^[54]^[55] French emerged as a symbol of the broader Irish cultural revival, aligning with early 20th-century efforts to celebrate native literature and music, and his multifaceted output continues to inform educational contexts in Irish studies through festivals and heritage programs.^[56] Modern recognition intensified with 2020 centenary events marking the 100th anniversary of his death, including concerts by the Percy French Society, an online exhibition at North Down Museum, and community performances across Ireland.^[53]^[57] This resurgence is evident in high auction values for his watercolours, such as a 2023 sale of a West of Ireland landscape for €1,900 at Adam's Auctioneers, underscoring ongoing interest in his artistic legacy.^[58]

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French, (William) Percy (1854–1920), songwriter, humourist, entertainer, and painter, was born 1 May 1854 in Cloonyquin House, parish of Tulsk, Co.
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He was the second son and the third child of the nine children born to Christopher French (1821-1897), a landlord, and Susan Emma French (née Percy), (1827-1914) ...Missing: parents history - -
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[25]
Abdul Abulbul Amir by William Percy French - All Poetry
The sons of the Prophet are brave men and bold. And quite unaccustomed to fear, But the bravest by far in the ranks of the Shah, Was Abdul Abulbul Amir.Missing: composition | Show results with:composition
[26]
Phil the Fluther's Ball - Contemplator
The words and melody to this song were written by Percy French (1854-1920) after he graduated from Trinity College, during the seven year period he was an ...Missing: details | Show results with:details
[27]
The Mountains of Mourne - The Great Irish Songbook
Percy French is widely regarded as one of the greatest Irish songwriters of all time. Born in 1854, near Tulsk in Co. Roscommon, French was the son of a ...Missing: style | Show results with:style
[28]
Mountains of Mourne by Percy French about Carlingford Lough?
The song was written by Percy French in 1896 and tells the all too familiar tale of people leaving Ireland to make a better future for themselves and their ...
[29]
Annotation:Come Back Paddy Reilly - The Traditional Tune Archive
Mar 17, 2023 · Percy returned to Ballyjamesduff after a hiatus of two decades and was told that Reilly had emigrated to America. In fact, Reilly went to ...
[30]
Chugging Along at an Irish Pace: Percy French vs. The West Clare ...
Feb 28, 2025 · With his razor-sharp wit, French immortalized the railway's less-than-stellar performance in the now-famous tune Are Ye Right There Michael?
[31]
Are you right there, Michael? Do you think you'll get to Kilrush before ...
Jul 23, 2020 · Percy French wrote 'Are ye right there Michael' in 1902, parodying the reputation of the West Clare Railway. He was inspired by an actual train ...
[32]
https://corkwest.ie/chugging-along-at-an-irish-pace-percy-french-vs-the-west-clare-railway
[33]
Percy French and his songs remembered on his 103rd anniversary
Jan 31, 2023 · Percy French, a Roscommon songwriter, author, poet, entertainer, and painter, is remembered for his incredible contribution to Irish culture.Missing: Anglo- | Show results with:Anglo-
[34]
William Percy French auction results at deVeres
Upon viewing an exhibition of the Watercolour Society of Ireland, he submitted a number of paintings the following year. In 1908, he exhibited in London and on ...
[35]
Paintings - Percy French
The finest all round collection of Percy French's watercolours is nowadays in the care of The Percy French Society at the North Down Heritage Centre in Northern ...
[36]
William Percy French Biography and Works - Ross's Auctioneers & Valuers
### Summary of William Percy French's Painting Career
[37]
William Percy French | 1,062 Artworks at Auction - MutualArt
Stay up to date with William Percy French (Irish, 1854 - 1920) . Discover works for sale, auction results, market data, news and exhibitions on MutualArt.Missing: development | Show results with:development
[38]
On the Rocks, Kilkee, Co. Kerry - William Percy French - MutualArt
View On the Rocks, Kilkee, Co. Kerry (1904) By William Percy French; watercolour; 10 x 14 in. (25.5 x 35.5 cm.); Signed; . Access more artwork lots and ...
[39]
William Percy French | AMONG THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS
William Percy French · AMONG THE MOURNE MOUNTAINS. watercolour. Works on Paper. 19.69 x 26.67 cm. Signed. Estimate · Realized Price. -5%. below mid-estimate.Missing: Kerry | Show results with:Kerry
[40]
William Percy French auction results at Whyte's Art Auctions
William Percy French ; 'IRISH SKETCHES' · €54,000 · 24 November 2008 ; 'WHERE EVER I GO MY HEART TURNS BACK TO THE COUNTY MAYO' · €44,000 · 20 September 2005 ...Missing: style notable
[41]
Prose, poems and parodies of Percy French - Internet Archive
Nov 7, 2011 · Prose, poems and parodies of Percy French. by: French, Percy, 1854-1920; Daly, Emily Lucy French. Publication date: 1980.
[42]
[PDF] Cavan County Development Plan 2022-2028
Dec 8, 2020 · ... Percy French statue fronting the Courthouse Square is an attractive feature within the streetscape and a subtle reminder to visitors and ...
[43]
Things to Do in Skerries With Visit Dublin
There are plenty of benches along the way where you can watch the crashing waves and look for the Mourne Mountains on the horizon. Composer Percy French did ...
[44]
Percy French - The Historical Marker Database
Mar 4, 2010 · This memorial is erected on the site of the birthplace of William Percy French Born 1st May 1854 and commemorates his life as engineer, song-writer, ...Missing: family background - -<|control11|><|separator|>
[45]
Percy French - Cavan County Museum
He graduated from TCD as a civil engineer in 1881 and joined the Board of Works in County Cavan as a self-styled 'Inspector of Drains'. It is said that he ...Missing: Office | Show results with:Office<|control11|><|separator|>
[46]
Percy French Hotel | Strokestown | Booking Now+353 71 963 3300
Located in Strokestown, in County Roscommon, Percy French Hotel offers en suite accommodation, free Wi-Fi throughout and free private parking.
[47]
Percy French Sculpture — Tandem: Ireland's leading interpretation ...
... French's three daughters – Ettie, Mellie and Joan – and wife Helen. The paving around the sculpture also features inset typography that makes reference to ...Missing: Mollie | Show results with:Mollie<|control11|><|separator|>
[48]
The Songs of Percy French – Sweep Down to the Sea
Prepare to be swept away by the enchanting melodies, poignant poetry, and timeless humour of Percy French in "Sweep Down to the Sea" – a spectacular ...
[49]
Percy French - playlist by IrishCentral - Spotify
Percy French ; The Mountains of Mourne. Foster & Allen ; Phil The Fluter's Ball. The Dubliners ; Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff. Lisa O'Neill ; Gortnamona.Missing: songs | Show results with:songs
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A musician and painter of note, Percy French deserves an honour ...
Dec 28, 2019 · Some of his merrier songs might be seen in a tradition of comical-Irishry - 'Slattery's Mounted Foot', sung by Doonican, was apparently the ...Missing: date | Show results with:date
[51]
William Percy French - Dublin - Whyte's
... Exhibitions of his work were held in 1974, 1979 and 1982 at the Oriel Gallery in Dublin and in 1983 the Percy French Society was founded. About 80 ...
[52]
PERCY FRENCH RETROSPECTIVE AT ORIEL GALLERY
Apr 4, 2011 · After graduating as a civil engineer from TCD in 1881 he joined the Board of Works in Co. Cavan as an inspector of drains. He was ...
[53]
Celtic Arts Revival Movement, 19th-Century - Visual Arts Cork
Other active members of the Celtic literary movement included: "AE" Russell, Percy French, Oliver St John Gogarty, Padraic Colum, and Edward Plunkett.
[54]
Percy French - Online Exhibition | AND Culture - North Down Museum
Jan 1, 2021 · A year later he met the respected musician Dr Houston Collisson, resulting in a successful partnership. Their act was a proper variety show ...
[55]
William Percy French, Irish Artist, 1854 - 1920 | Art sold at Auction
William Percy French, Irish Artist, 1854 - 1920. William Percy French became known as one of Ireland's foremost songwriters and entertainers.