Percy French Chronology
1854-
1 May, 1854
William Percy French was born at Cloonyquin House, Co. Roscommon
“Nearly sixty years ago an event of immense importance occurred in the history of Ireland. No cables buzzed the news to the ends of the earth. No telephones rang – there were none to ring. Cabinets were not hastily summoned nor consuls recalled, but Larry McCullagh lepped on the “chestnut mare” and galloped as fasht as he could shplit for Dr. Peyton. By the time the doctor arrived I was an accomplished fact, endowed by my parents with all the mental activity of the house of French and all the physical health and beauty of the Percys.”
He was the second son of landowner Christopher French and his wife Susan Emma (nee Percy), daughter of Reverend William Percy, a rector at Carrick-on-Shannon
French was educated at Windemere College and Foyle College, Derry
1872
Commenced a degree in Civil Engineering at Trinity College, Dublin (TCD)
1877
His first successful song, "Abdul Abulbul Amir"
1881
Graduated from TCD
“admirably unfitted for any profession whatsoever!”
1883
Became surveyor or inspector of drains with the Board of Works in County Cavan in 1883. His salary excluding expenses was £300 per annum
1889-1890
The Jarvey
1888
"Andy McElroe"
1890
On 28th June 1890, Percy French married Ettie Armytage
1891
Ettie dies in childbirth
Their daughter was born on 5th June
1891
Highly successful musical comedy in three acts, The Knight of the Road
1894
Married Helen (Lennie) Sheldon, an English chorus girl of Burnington House, Warwickshire
1896
10th August – French’s epic journey to a performance at Moore’s Hall, Kilkea at 8pm which resulted in the highly entertaining "Are Ye Right There Michael?" which describes his journey from Dublin to Kilkee on the West Clare Railway
1897
"Are Ye Right There, Michael?"
1900-
1900
"When Erin Wakes"
1907
"Pretendy Land"
1909
"The Kerry Courting"
1910
"Oklahoma Rose", "Tullinahaw" and "The Emigrant’s Letter"
1910
Toured Canada, the East coast of the USA, and the West Indies with Houston Collison, receiving enthusiastic reviews and playing to packed audiences
1911
"Flanagan’s Flying Machine"
1912
"Come Back Paddy Reilly"
1914
"The Killyran Wrackers"
1915
"Larry Mick McGarry"
1916
French was dragged by a train and consequently his health deteriorated
1920
Died from pneumonia on 24th January and buried in the churchyard of St. Luke’s Parish Church, Formby
1957-
1957
Week-long summer festival was held at Cloonyquinn House
1957
The Percy French Scholarship
1958
Week long summer festival was held again at Cloonyquinn House
1959
The Percy French Scholarship was founded
1960
Irish Land Commission acquired the property and sold it to a Mr. Stratford who was in the demolition and salvage trade
1964
Roscommon County Council paid Marty Keogh £3 6s 8d to demolish the house in 1964
1983
Percy French Society of North Down founded
1984
Roscommon Percy French Society founded
2009-
2009
First Percy French Festival – The Last Troubador at Castlecoote house
2010
Second Percy French Festival – When Erin Wakes at Castlecoote house
2011
Third Percy French Festival – Lead Kindly Light at Castlecoote house
2012
Fourth Percy French Festival – Through A French Window at Castlecoote house
Opened by The President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins
2013
Fifth Percy French Festival – The French Connection at Castlecoote house
2014
Sixth Percy French Festival – The French Paradox at Castlecoote house
2015
Seventh Percy French Festival – Through a French Mirror at Castlecoote house
2016
Eighth Percy French Festival – The French Letter at Castlecoote house
2017
Ninth Percy French Festival – Towards a Third Republic at Castlecoote house
2018
Tenth Percy French Festival – Percy French: The Synge of Song at Castlecoote house
2019
Eleventh Percy French Festival – Taking French Leave at Castlecoote house
2020
Twelth Percy French Festival – Time for a French Revue at Castlecoote house
2021
Thirteenth Percy French Festival – A French Vision at Castlecoote house
2022
Fourteenth Percy French Festival – Does the Soul have a Future? at Castlecoote house
2023
Fifteenth Percy French Festival – French Awakenings at Castlecoote house
