Shaw, Sir Eyre Massey
Shaw, Sir Eyre Massey (1828–1908), chief of the London Metropolitan Fire Brigade, was born 17 January 1828 at Glenmore Cottage, near Ballymore, Cobh, Co. Cork, third son of Bernard Robert Shaw, merchant, of Shaw's Terrace and later Monkstown Castle, Cork, and his first wife, Rebecca…...
Simms, Mercy Felicia
Simms, Mercy Felicia (1915–98), social crusader, was born 3 March 1915 in a nursing home at 89 Lower Baggot St., Dublin, only child of Brian James Gwynn (1883–1972) of 48 Hollybrook Road, Clontarf, civil servant employed as assistant secretary in the labour exchange, and his wife…...
Singleton, Robert Corbet
Singleton, Robert Corbet (1810–81), clergyman, classical scholar, and hymn-writer, was born 9 October 1810 in Dublin, second son of Francis Corbet, gentleman, of Dublin and Aclare, Co. Meath, and his wife, Frances (d. 1860), daughter of Joseph Deane, MP, of Terenure, Co. Dublin.…...
Smith, John
Smith, John (1797–1861), singer and composer, was born in Cambridge, where he received his early education as a member of one of the chapel choirs. While still young, Smith moved to Dublin, where he remained for the rest of his life. He is said to have possessed ‘a fine robust…...
Smith, (Mabel) Olive
Smith, (Mabel) Olive (1906–93) music campaigner and founder of the National Youth Orchestra of Ireland, was born 19 June 1906 in Dublin, youngest of three daughters of Charles E. Richardson of 47 Kenilworth Square, Rathgar, Dublin, merchant and wholesale grocer, and his wife Alice…...
Stanford, Sir Charles Villiers
Stanford, Sir Charles Villiers (1852–1924), composer, teacher, conductor, and organist, was born 30 September 1852 at 2 Herbert St., Dublin, the only son of John James Stanford (1810–80), an eminent lawyer (clerk of the crown for Co. Meath and examiner in chancery), and his second…...
Stevenson, Sir John Andrew
Stevenson, Sir John Andrew (1762–1833), composer, was born in November 1761 at Crane Lane, Dublin, son of John Stevenson, violinist in the city's state band; his mother's name is not known. In 1771 he became a chorister at Christ Church cathedral, Dublin, and later sang (1775–80)…...
Stewart, Sir Robert Prescott
Stewart, Sir Robert Prescott (1825–94), organist, conductor, composer, teacher, and academic, was born 16 December 1825, the second of two sons of Charles Frederick Stewart of 6 Pitt Street (latterly Balfe Street), Dublin, librarian of King's Inns. Nothing is known of his mother…...
Sullivan, Lucinda
Sullivan, Lucinda (1831–1881), philanthropist, writer and promoter of children's welfare, was born in 1831, probably in Castleconnell, Co. Limerick, to Captain William Edward Brady , formerly a lieutenant in the 2nd West India Regiment, and subsequently chief constable of police in…...
Torrance, George William
Torrance, George William (1835–1907), clergyman and composer, was born at Rathmines, Dublin, eldest son of George Torrance, tailor, and Elizabeth Torrance (née Flynn). Educated locally, he had a talent for music and at the age of 12 became a chorister at Christ Church cathedral (…...
Wadham, John Barker
Wadham, John Barker (1936–2003), musician, was born in Croydon, Surrey, England, only son of Cyril Wadham, an insurance broker, and his wife Muriel, a talented amateur pianist. The family moved to Ireland in 1953 when Cyril Wadham, a Royal Air Force veteran, was transferred to Dublin,…...
Ware, William
Ware, William (1757–1826), organist, teacher, and concert promoter, was born 17 January 1757 at Armagh city; nothing is known of his parents. It was to Ware that Edward Bunting (qv) was apprenticed in 1784. Trained in Armagh cathedral…...
Wesley, Garrett
Wesley, Garrett (1735–81), amateur musician, politician, and 1st earl of Mornington , was born 19 July 1735, probably at Dangan Castle, Co. Meath, the only surviving son of Richard Wesley (originally Colley), later 1st Baron Mornington, and Elizabeth Wesley (née Sale). Educated by…...
White, Harold R. (‘Dermot Macmurrough’)
White, Harold R. (‘Dermot Macmurrough’) (1872–1943), music journalist and composer, was born 12 January 1872 in Dublin, son of Edgar White, an engineer and surveyor. Possessed of a fine treble voice, he served as a chorister in Christ Church cathedral from 1881 to 1887 and…...
Wood, Charles
Wood, Charles (1866–1926), composer and musical academic, was born 15 June 1866 at Armagh city, fifth child and third son of Charles Wood, tenor lay vicar choral of St Patrick's cathedral, Armagh, and Jemima Wood (née Taylor), both of 11 Vicars’ Hill, Armagh. Of their fourteen…...
Woodward, Richard
Woodward, Richard (c.1743–1777), composer, was born in England, son of Richard Woodward, choirmaster; his mother's name is not known. In 1751 he moved to Ireland when his father was appointed a stipendiary of the choir at Christ Church cathedral, Dublin. He became an…...