Robert Dwyer Joyce facts for kids
Robert Dwyer Joyce (1830–1883) was an Irish poet, writer, and collector of traditional Irish music. He is best known for his poems and songs, especially those that celebrate Irish history and culture. Some of his most famous works include "The Wind that Shakes the Barley" and "The Boys of Wexford."
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Who Was Robert Dwyer Joyce?
Robert Dwyer Joyce was born in 1830 in County Limerick, Ireland. His parents were Garret and Elizabeth Joyce. He grew up near the Ballyhoura Mountains. Robert had three brothers: Michael, John, and Patrick, who became a famous scholar.
Early Life and Education
Robert Joyce first worked as a civil servant. He later became the principal of the Model School in Clonmel, following in his brother Patrick's footsteps. He loved Irish traditional music and collected many tunes. These tunes were included in a book called The Petrie Collection of the Ancient Music of Ireland, published in 1855.
To help pay for his studies, Robert wrote poems, stories, and articles for magazines like the Nation and the Harp. He also published his own book of poems. However, he is most famous for his contributions to Irish music.
Becoming a Doctor
In 1865, Robert Joyce became a doctor after studying medicine at Queens College, Cork. In the same year, he was also made a Professor of English at the Catholic University in Dublin.
Life in America
After some political events in Ireland in 1866, Robert Joyce moved to Boston, USA. There, he continued to work as a doctor. He also found success as a writer. His book Ballads of Irish Chivalry was published in 1872. Another book, Deirdre, published in 1876, was incredibly popular, selling 10,000 copies in its first week!
Return to Ireland and Legacy
Robert Joyce returned to Dublin, Ireland, in 1883 and passed away that same year.
Today, a special plaque marks the house in Glenosheen where the Joyce brothers lived. It has writing in both Irish and English. You can find it on the road between Ardpatrick and Kildorrery.
His poem "The Battle of Benburb" tells the story of a victory by Owen Roe O'Neill during the Irish Confederate Wars. This poem was later turned into a popular song.
The title of his famous poem, "The Wind That Shakes the Barley", was even used for a movie by Ken Loach. This film won a major award, the Palme d'Or, at the Cannes Film Festival in 2006.
