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"

1889

"Slattery’s Mounted Fut"

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

1892

"Mathew Hannigan’s Aunt"

1894

Married Helen (Lennie) Sheldon, an English chorus girl of Burnington House, Warwickshire

1896

"The Mountains of Mourne"

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

Tickets

Early Booking Special Offer

Each whole day €50. Students €10

  • Three / Four Lectures
  • Afternoon Recital
  • Tea / Coffee / Homemade Cakes

Tickets to the talks taking place in the theatre room in Castlecoote House must be booked in advance, seating is strictly limited per event and we expect these to be fully booked well in advance so please book early to avoid disappointment

Ticket Office:

  • +353 (0)90 666 3794

Don’t miss out, Festival tickets sell out quickly!

We are very sorry to say that we can’t do refunds as they play havoc with the ticketing system. If you can’t make it, we’d rather you gave your tickets to a friend who can.

The 15th Percy French Festival

French Awakenings

19th, 20th, 21st July 2023

At Castlecoote House

Honorary President of the Festival, the President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins.

Informed Social & Cultural Discussion of Ireland Today.

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The Percy French Festival 2023 acknowledges the major support of Excel Industries, Dublin; Whyte’s; CastleAcre; C&F Quadrant Ltd; Davies Group; Hidden Ireland.

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