2. Patrick O'Leary Manuscript
(1851–1925), fiddle player, Co. Cavan & Australia
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"…gifted with uncommon musical attainments…"
A highly-regarded member of Capt. Francis O’Neill’s far-flung network of musical correspondents was Cavan-born fiddle player Patrick O’Leary (1851–1925) who spent most of his life near Adelaide in Australia. O’Neill wrote: ‘In all that tends to promote the regeneration of Irish ideals in music and dancing, language and literature, among the “Exiles of Erin” at the Antipodes no one is more persistent, potent, and practical, than Patrick O’Leary of Eastwood, Parkside, Adelaide, South Australia. Endowed with an attractive personality and gifted with uncommon musical attainments, his correspondence proclaims him a writer of no ordinary ability. And were his lofty sentiments and patriotic ardor shared by any considerable portion of his countrymen, Ireland would not be regarded as it is by some - a spot on the map, or a term in geography. In every movement designed for the rehabilitation of the old land, Mr. O’Leary's name figures conspicuously as organizer, chairman, and even entertainer; for being a fine violinist of the old school and playing in concert with his no less talented son Eugene on the piano, their joint performance is a rare musical treat. Phonograph records of Mr. O’Leary’s fiddle-playing which we enjoyed at the home of his brother Owen, and sister, Mrs. Kelsey, in Chicago, justify any eulogy which our words could express.’ [1] |
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Patrick O’Leary was born in Co. Cavan on 25 March 1851, the youngest of 12 children (7 sons and 5 daughters) of John & Sarah Leary of Benwilt townland (Drumgoon civil parish), Cootehill.[2] Patrick’s siblings included: (1) Rebecca (1827-), (2) Mary (1829-64), (3) Margaret (c. 1830-??), (4) Elizabeth (c. 1835-bef. 1845), (5) Owen (c. 1836-1908), (6) Anne (1837-1909), (7) James (c. 1839-??), (8) Thomas (c. 1841-1905), and (9) Elizabeth (Bessie) (May 1845-c. 1902).
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Patrick O'Leary with sons Patrick Eugene (left) & John Gerald (right)
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At least six members of the family immigrated to the US. Patrick himself went in 1870 as did Anne and Elizabeth but he and two of his brothers returned home in 1874 in time to attend the funeral of their father who died on 25 August of that year. Rebecca, the eldest, may have married a man named Stinson. Mary married a man named Coyle and died at Mapleton, Waukesha County, Wisconsin in 1864. Elizabeth (Bessie) married an Irishman named William Kelsey in Chicago. Owen was staying with Bessie and her husband in Chicago when they encountered Francis O’Neill. She died in Chicago c. 1902 and Owen died there in 1908. Anne Leary died in Los Angeles in 1909. Thomas, who inherited the farm at Benwilt, died in 1905.
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From Cootehill to Adelaide, Australia
Patrick O’Leary immigrated to Australia in 1876 and settled in Adelaide. In 1878 he joined the staff of the Mental Hospital, Parkside, in that city. On 30 November 1882 he married Elizabeth O’Brien, the Adelaide-born daughter of Patrick and Margaret O’Brien. They had five children, one of whom died in infancy. John Gerald was born on 31 May 1883, Patrick Eugene was born on 4 May 1885, Elizabeth Annie was born on 18 October 1887 but died on 8 December 1887, Sarah Elizabeth (known as ‘Waddie’) was born on 1 July 1891, and finally Mary Ellen Rebecca (‘Ellie’) was born on 10 September 1894. In 1910 Patrick was promoted to head of staff at the Mental Hospital, Parkside. He retired in 1931 after 43 years of service and he died at home, ‘Dromlona’, 10 John St., Eastwood, on 16 August 1925, aged 74. His widow Elizabeth died there on 3 December 1930. They are buried at West Terrace Cemetery, Adelaide. |
Patrick & Elizabeth O'Leary
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The O'Leary Home in Eastwood, Adelaide
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Patrick O’Leary’s interest in uilleann piping
Patrick was enamoured with the sound of the uilleann pipes ever since the days of his youth. He had fond memories of listening to Monaghan piper Phil Goodman (c. 1831-1908) playing at a barn dance in 1869 shortly before he went to America. From the older generation he had also heard about an earlier Monaghan piper, the celebrated Walter Jackson. Patrick’s maternal grandfather (name not recorded), who was a good fiddler, was a neighbour of Jackson and indeed was ‘something of a crony of his’, and enjoyed his friendship for years. Decades later in Adelaide, Patrick wrote a letter to the Anglo-Celt newspaper in his native Co. Cavan soliciting readers’ help for information regarding Piper Jackson’s ‘origin, birth-place, life history reminiscences, anecdotes, class of music in which he excelled, etc.’ |
In Australia Patrick also became a valuable source of information for Francis O’Neill, as already mentioned, supplying him with details about Australian-based pipers such as his fellow Cavan-born piper, John Coughlan (1837–1908),[3] and J. Critchley, of Rockleigh, Adelaide, who played both uilleann and war pipes and had Wicklow ancestry. Patrick went to great trouble trying to acquire a set of uilleann pipes and finally, after 20 years searching, he managed to a buy a dilapidated set from an old piper named Kelly for 10 shillings and eventually got it refurbished by a Northumbrian piper.
Obituary of Patrick O’Leary, 1925
‘Mr Patrick O’Leary, one of the most prominent and zealous workers in Catholic and Irish movements in South Australia of the past 35 years, died at his home, John-street, Eastwood, Parkside, on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 74. He was born at Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, and he went to the United States in 1870. He returned with two of his brothers in 1874, just in time to carry his father to his last resting place. In 1876 Mr O’Leary left Ireland for Australia, and, like many of those who made the trip in the sailing days, he underwent unenviable experiences on the trip out. He joined the staff of the Mental Hospital, Parkside, and by his assiduity and devotion to duty gradually climbed the ladder of promotion, and in 1910 was appointed head of staff. His popularity with the medical officers and nurses was demonstrated in a signal manner on the occasion of the farewell social tendered him on his retirement in 1921. During his service he secured a certificate and silver medal from Dr W.L. Cleland for his proficiency as officer in charge of the hospital. His courtesy and genial manner endeared him to all visitors to the hospital, and on his retirement – after 43¼ years’ unbroken service – he was the recipient of many expressions of regret. His kindly interest in the condition of the inmates impressed itself on their relatives and friends. On settling in the Parkside district, Mr O’Leary identified himself very closely with all Roman Catholic movements in St Raphael’s parish, and was a trustee of the old church. He was instrumental in the formation of St Raphael’s Literary Society, of which he was the first vice-president, and he was a delegate to the Union Parliament. In 1906 he induced the Very Rev. Francis Kelly, C.P., Superior of the Passionist Fathers, Glen Osmond, to establish St Raphael’s Catholic Young Men’s Society, and was elected first vice-president. This society is still flourishing, and has turned out several citizens prominent in the legal, literary, and commercial spheres. In all matters pertaining to the welfare of his native land, Mr O’Leary took an active and prominent part. He occupied executive office in the Land League, the Irish National Federation, the Irish National League, and United Irish League. When the last-mentioned organisation voluntarily went out of existence Mr O’Leary actively supported the new Irish National Association, and was its first vice-president. He took an enthusiastic part in the work of the society until his death. The Self-Determination League also secured his ardent support. The Irish Pipers’ Band was one of his pet projects, and it was established in 1910 as the result of his persistent advocacy. The offices of president and patron were filled by him, the latter until his death.
His great hobby was Irish dance music (traditional) for the violin, and no Irish gathering, such as St Patrick’s sports and concert, seemed complete without his familiar figure and his inimitable presentation of the time-honoured music of the national dances. Captain O’Neill of Chicago, the foremost living authority on Irish traditional music, manifested a high appreciation of Mr O’Leary’s ability as an exponent and component of Irish music. In his exhaustive Irish Minstrels and Musicians he writes: “Phonograph records of Mr O’Leary’s playing, which we enjoyed at the home of his brother, Owen, and his sister (Mrs Kelsey) in Chicago, justify any eulogy which our words could express.” Captain O’Neill included Miss Rochelle Rudolph’s Hornpipe, which Mr O’Leary composed in honour of the visit of his grand-niece from America in 1921, in his Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody, published in 1922. Mr O’Leary was the prime mover in the highly successful Irish Feis, and carried off the honours in the traditional music. His proclivities and enthusiasm in this direction are inherited by his family, who have figured very prominently on Irish and Catholic concert programmes for a considerable time. At his funeral a striking tribute was paid to his memory by the Irish Pipers, who, with pipes reversed and muffled drums, headed the cortege. There were also present representatives of the Irish National Association, the Catholic Federation, the Irish Pipers’ Band, the Highland Pipe Band, St Raphael’s CYM Society, and the Mental Hospital, Parkside. At St Raphael’s Church the Right Rev. Monsignor Hurley paid an eloquent and feeling tribute to the splendid example of Mr O’Leary’s life, and the Very Rev. Prior Doyle, O.P., of North Adelaide, in asking the prayers of his congregation, remarked: “If any man stood out in the Catholic community of South Australia, it was Mr O’Leary. Throughout his life he has given a grand combination of Catholic faith and Irish culture.” Mr O’Leary left a widow, two sons (Mr J. Gerald and P. Eugene O’Leary, the latter being pipe-major of the Irish Pipers’ Band and vice-president of the Irish National Association), and two daughters, Misses Waddy and Ellie O’Leary, the former being soprano soloist of St Raphael’s noted choir, Parkside.[4]
Obituary of Patrick O’Leary, 1925
‘Mr Patrick O’Leary, one of the most prominent and zealous workers in Catholic and Irish movements in South Australia of the past 35 years, died at his home, John-street, Eastwood, Parkside, on Sunday, August 16, at the age of 74. He was born at Cootehill, County Cavan, Ireland, and he went to the United States in 1870. He returned with two of his brothers in 1874, just in time to carry his father to his last resting place. In 1876 Mr O’Leary left Ireland for Australia, and, like many of those who made the trip in the sailing days, he underwent unenviable experiences on the trip out. He joined the staff of the Mental Hospital, Parkside, and by his assiduity and devotion to duty gradually climbed the ladder of promotion, and in 1910 was appointed head of staff. His popularity with the medical officers and nurses was demonstrated in a signal manner on the occasion of the farewell social tendered him on his retirement in 1921. During his service he secured a certificate and silver medal from Dr W.L. Cleland for his proficiency as officer in charge of the hospital. His courtesy and genial manner endeared him to all visitors to the hospital, and on his retirement – after 43¼ years’ unbroken service – he was the recipient of many expressions of regret. His kindly interest in the condition of the inmates impressed itself on their relatives and friends. On settling in the Parkside district, Mr O’Leary identified himself very closely with all Roman Catholic movements in St Raphael’s parish, and was a trustee of the old church. He was instrumental in the formation of St Raphael’s Literary Society, of which he was the first vice-president, and he was a delegate to the Union Parliament. In 1906 he induced the Very Rev. Francis Kelly, C.P., Superior of the Passionist Fathers, Glen Osmond, to establish St Raphael’s Catholic Young Men’s Society, and was elected first vice-president. This society is still flourishing, and has turned out several citizens prominent in the legal, literary, and commercial spheres. In all matters pertaining to the welfare of his native land, Mr O’Leary took an active and prominent part. He occupied executive office in the Land League, the Irish National Federation, the Irish National League, and United Irish League. When the last-mentioned organisation voluntarily went out of existence Mr O’Leary actively supported the new Irish National Association, and was its first vice-president. He took an enthusiastic part in the work of the society until his death. The Self-Determination League also secured his ardent support. The Irish Pipers’ Band was one of his pet projects, and it was established in 1910 as the result of his persistent advocacy. The offices of president and patron were filled by him, the latter until his death.
His great hobby was Irish dance music (traditional) for the violin, and no Irish gathering, such as St Patrick’s sports and concert, seemed complete without his familiar figure and his inimitable presentation of the time-honoured music of the national dances. Captain O’Neill of Chicago, the foremost living authority on Irish traditional music, manifested a high appreciation of Mr O’Leary’s ability as an exponent and component of Irish music. In his exhaustive Irish Minstrels and Musicians he writes: “Phonograph records of Mr O’Leary’s playing, which we enjoyed at the home of his brother, Owen, and his sister (Mrs Kelsey) in Chicago, justify any eulogy which our words could express.” Captain O’Neill included Miss Rochelle Rudolph’s Hornpipe, which Mr O’Leary composed in honour of the visit of his grand-niece from America in 1921, in his Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody, published in 1922. Mr O’Leary was the prime mover in the highly successful Irish Feis, and carried off the honours in the traditional music. His proclivities and enthusiasm in this direction are inherited by his family, who have figured very prominently on Irish and Catholic concert programmes for a considerable time. At his funeral a striking tribute was paid to his memory by the Irish Pipers, who, with pipes reversed and muffled drums, headed the cortege. There were also present representatives of the Irish National Association, the Catholic Federation, the Irish Pipers’ Band, the Highland Pipe Band, St Raphael’s CYM Society, and the Mental Hospital, Parkside. At St Raphael’s Church the Right Rev. Monsignor Hurley paid an eloquent and feeling tribute to the splendid example of Mr O’Leary’s life, and the Very Rev. Prior Doyle, O.P., of North Adelaide, in asking the prayers of his congregation, remarked: “If any man stood out in the Catholic community of South Australia, it was Mr O’Leary. Throughout his life he has given a grand combination of Catholic faith and Irish culture.” Mr O’Leary left a widow, two sons (Mr J. Gerald and P. Eugene O’Leary, the latter being pipe-major of the Irish Pipers’ Band and vice-president of the Irish National Association), and two daughters, Misses Waddy and Ellie O’Leary, the former being soprano soloist of St Raphael’s noted choir, Parkside.[4]
Patrick corresponded with O’Neill and sent him a small collection of tunes he composed in 1922. I received this copy as part of the music items kindly donated to me from the estate of Phil Durkin. One interesting observation is each tune has a comment (fair, OK, etc.) notated in pencil and the final comment is signed SON (Selina O’Neill ?) ……. possibly Selena’s review and comment on each tune as she was selecting one to include in Waifs & Strays, which was first published in the same year (1922).
[1] Francis O’Neill, Irish minstrels and musicians (Chicago, 1913), p. 379 (hereafter IMM); the Kelseys lived at 638 Duncan Park, Lake, Chicago.
[2] The family surname was originally Leary. The more Irish-sounding form of ‘O’Leary’ seems to have been adopted only in the 20th century.
[3] O’Neill, IMM, p. 252.
[4] The Chronicle [Adelaide], 29 August 1925
[2] The family surname was originally Leary. The more Irish-sounding form of ‘O’Leary’ seems to have been adopted only in the 20th century.
[3] O’Neill, IMM, p. 252.
[4] The Chronicle [Adelaide], 29 August 1925
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Tunes:
1 . The Drumgoon Reel 2 . Mollie Doherty’s Hornpipe 3. The Drumlona** Reel 4 . Myles the Slasher Reel 5 . O’Leary’s Hornpipe 6. The Exile’s Dream Reel 7 . Rochelle Rudolph Hornpipe* * Included in Waifs & Strays published by O’Neill in 1922 in which O’Neill quotes as source: “Inspired by the visit of a relative, the first of his blood to greet him at the antipodes, since as a youth he left his native Cavan, Mr. O’Leary commemorated the occasion by the composition of this fine hornpipe in her name” ** Drumlona Lough is on the border of Cavan and Monaghan |
