Patrick Heeney
Encyclopedia
Patrick "Paddy" Heeney sometimes spelt Heaney, was an Irish composer whose most famous work is the music to the Irish national anthem "Amhrán na bhFiann
" (The Soldier's Song).
states Heeney initially worked for the postal service before taking employment as a bagman at Hickey's Drapers in North Earl Street. One individual of the correct age named "Patrick Heaney" is listed living in Dublin in the 1901 census as one of four unmarried siblings at 242 Township Cottages (now Gulistan Cottages), Rathmines. This seems very likely to be the composer since this man's job is listed as a "town postman". Heaney is listed at the 31 Gulistan Cottages in the 1911 census (conducted in April, two months before the composer's death) along with a wife, Catherine, and a nine month old son, William.
put the date at 1909 or 1910. The English lyrics were the work of Kearney who was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood
and had been Heeney's musical collaborator since 1903. The unusual metre of Kearney's lyrics to The Soldier's Song initially gave Heeney considerable trouble in his attempt to fit music to them. Other collaborations between Heeney and Kearney include Michael Dwyer.
, where a plaque on the wall now commemorates him. Peadar Kearney was in London with the Abbey Company at the time of Heeney's death. He took up a collection for his deceased friend’s mother. Among the contributors were Michael Collins
and Sam Maguire
. Peadar Kearney dedicated his song Slán Libh to Paddy Heeney. In 2010, Dublin City Council
named Patrick Heeney House and Crescent, a new 63 housing unit development in Summerhill, in the composer's honour.
Amhrán na bhFiann
is the national anthem of Ireland. The music was composed by Peadar Kearney and Patrick Heeney, and the original English lyrics were authored by Kearney. It is sung in the Irish language translation made by Liam Ó Rinn. The song has three verses, but the national anthem consists of the chorus only...
" (The Soldier's Song).
Background
Heeney was born at 101 Lower Mecklenburgh Street (now Railway Street) in Dublin. He was the son of a local grocer and attended St. Patrick’s National School at 13 Mecklenburgh Street. He was a member of the Col. John O’Mahoney Hurling Club. A 1975 memoir of Peadar KearneyPeadar Kearney
Peadar Kearney was an Irish republican and composer of numerous rebel songs. In 1907 he wrote the lyrics to "The Soldier's Song" , now the Irish national anthem.-Background:...
states Heeney initially worked for the postal service before taking employment as a bagman at Hickey's Drapers in North Earl Street. One individual of the correct age named "Patrick Heaney" is listed living in Dublin in the 1901 census as one of four unmarried siblings at 242 Township Cottages (now Gulistan Cottages), Rathmines. This seems very likely to be the composer since this man's job is listed as a "town postman". Heaney is listed at the 31 Gulistan Cottages in the 1911 census (conducted in April, two months before the composer's death) along with a wife, Catherine, and a nine month old son, William.
The Soldier's Song
Heeney was unable to write music, but had a knowledge of tonic solfa and usually composed by trying out melodies on his melodeon. The Soldier's Song is generally believed to have been composed in 1907, though, in later years, the lyricist Peadar KearneyPeadar Kearney
Peadar Kearney was an Irish republican and composer of numerous rebel songs. In 1907 he wrote the lyrics to "The Soldier's Song" , now the Irish national anthem.-Background:...
put the date at 1909 or 1910. The English lyrics were the work of Kearney who was a prominent member of the Irish Republican Brotherhood
Irish Republican Brotherhood
The Irish Republican Brotherhood was a secret oath-bound fraternal organisation dedicated to the establishment of an "independent democratic republic" in Ireland during the second half of the 19th century and the start of the 20th century...
and had been Heeney's musical collaborator since 1903. The unusual metre of Kearney's lyrics to The Soldier's Song initially gave Heeney considerable trouble in his attempt to fit music to them. Other collaborations between Heeney and Kearney include Michael Dwyer.
Death and commemoration
Heeney died in poverty aged 29 in Jervis Street Hospital, Dublin. He was buried in an unmarked grave in Drumcondra CemeteryDrumcondra Church
Drumcondra Church is located in Drumcondra, Dublin. It was erected by a Miss Coghill as a memorial to her brother, Dr. Marmaduke Coghill, who died in 1738. It contains a monument to his memory. Dr...
, where a plaque on the wall now commemorates him. Peadar Kearney was in London with the Abbey Company at the time of Heeney's death. He took up a collection for his deceased friend’s mother. Among the contributors were Michael Collins
Michael Collins (Irish leader)
Michael "Mick" Collins was an Irish revolutionary leader, Minister for Finance and Teachta Dála for Cork South in the First Dáil of 1919, Director of Intelligence for the IRA, and member of the Irish delegation during the Anglo-Irish Treaty negotiations. Subsequently, he was both Chairman of the...
and Sam Maguire
Sam Maguire
Samuel Maguire , an Irish republican and Gaelic footballer, is chiefly remembered as the eponym of the Sam Maguire Cup, given to the All-Ireland Senior Champions of Gaelic football.-Early life:...
. Peadar Kearney dedicated his song Slán Libh to Paddy Heeney. In 2010, Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council
Dublin City Council is the local authority for the city of Dublin in Ireland. It has 52 members and is the largest local authority in Ireland. Until 2001, it was known as Dublin Corporation.-Legal status:...
named Patrick Heeney House and Crescent, a new 63 housing unit development in Summerhill, in the composer's honour.