Somerville, Henry Boyle Townshend
Somerville, Henry Boyle Townshend (1863–1936), naval officer, hydrographer, and author, was born 7 September 1863 on his family's historic estate at Drishane, Castletownshend, near Castle Haven, Co. Cork, third son of Lt.-col. Thomas Henry Somerville (later high sheriff of Cork) and his…...
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…...
Tighe, William
Tighe, William (1766–1816), politician, topographer, and landowner, was born 5 May 1766, the eldest son of William Tighe (1738–82), landowner of Rossanagh, Co. Wicklow, and MP for Athboy, Co. Meath (1761–76), and his wife, Sarah (née Fownes) of Woodstock, Co. Kilkenny. William…...
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…...
Wright, George Newenham
Wright, George Newenham (1794?–1877), clergyman, schoolmaster, topographical writer and biographer, was born in London probably in 1793 or 1794. He was the youngest of the four sons of Thomas Wright (qv), a surgeon of Great Ship St.,…...