James Lynam Molloy
Encyclopedia
James Lynam Molloy was an Irish poet
, author and composer.
in Dublin, graduating in 1858. He then continued his studies in London, Paris & Bonn, being called to the Bar in 1863, although he never practised Law.
He started writing and publishing songs which soon became popular in concert halls. Initially concentrating on operettas, he later gained popularity with his songs "The Old Cottage Clock", "Bantry Bay" and "The Kerry Dance". In 1884 he had his greatest success of all "Love's Old Sweet Song
", a song since very popular with sailors, among others. With W. S. Gilbert
, he wrote several songs, including "Thady O'Flynn" (1868; used in the operetta No Cards
), "Corisande" (1870) and "Eily's Reason" (1871). He also wrote a book in 1874 called Our Autumn Holiday on French Rivers.
Irish poetry
The history of Irish poetry includes the poetries of two languages, one in Irish and the other in English. The complex interplay between these two traditions, and between both of them and other poetries in English, has produced a body of work that is both rich in variety and difficult to...
, author and composer.
Biography
James Molloy attended St Edmund's College (Ware) as a student between 1851 and 1855 along with his brother Bernard, who later became an MP. After leaving the College, he went to the Catholic UniversityCatholic University of Ireland
The Catholic University of Ireland was a Catholic university in Dublin, Ireland and was founded in 1851 following the Synod of Thurles in 1850, and in response to the Queen's University of Ireland and its associated colleges which were nondenominational...
in Dublin, graduating in 1858. He then continued his studies in London, Paris & Bonn, being called to the Bar in 1863, although he never practised Law.
He started writing and publishing songs which soon became popular in concert halls. Initially concentrating on operettas, he later gained popularity with his songs "The Old Cottage Clock", "Bantry Bay" and "The Kerry Dance". In 1884 he had his greatest success of all "Love's Old Sweet Song
Love's Old Sweet Song
Love's Old Sweet Song is an Irish folk song published in 1884 by composer James Lynam Molloy and lyricist G. Clifton Bingham.It has been recorded by many artists, including John McCormack and Clara Butt. It is alluded to in James Joyce's Ulysses as being sung by Molly Bloom....
", a song since very popular with sailors, among others. With W. S. Gilbert
W. S. Gilbert
Sir William Schwenck Gilbert was an English dramatist, librettist, poet and illustrator best known for his fourteen comic operas produced in collaboration with the composer Sir Arthur Sullivan, of which the most famous include H.M.S...
, he wrote several songs, including "Thady O'Flynn" (1868; used in the operetta No Cards
No Cards
No Cards is a "musical piece in one act" for four characters, written by W. S. Gilbert, with music composed and arranged by Thomas German Reed. It was first produced at the Royal Gallery of Illustration, Lower Regent Street, London, under the management of German Reed, opening on 29 March 1869 and...
), "Corisande" (1870) and "Eily's Reason" (1871). He also wrote a book in 1874 called Our Autumn Holiday on French Rivers.