William Connellan facts for kids

William Connellan was an Irish musician who lived a long time ago, around the 1600s. He was a very talented harper, which means he played the harp, and also a composer, meaning he wrote music. He is famous for creating beautiful tunes that are still remembered today.

The Life of William Connellan

William Connellan was born in a place called Cloonamahon in County Sligo, Ireland. He had an older brother named Thomas Connellan, who was also a harper and composer. Both brothers loved music and the harp.

William is best known for a famous song called "Molly McAlpine." This song is sometimes also called "Carolan's Dream." Another very famous Irish harper, Turlough Carolan, loved "Molly McAlpine" so much. He even said he wished he had written that song more than any of his own!

William may also have written the tune "Caoineach Luimnigh," which means "The Lament for Limerick." After his brother Thomas passed away, William traveled a lot. He spent time in Scotland, where he was well known. In Scotland, his tune "Luimnigh" became a new song called Lochabar No More. People also believe he composed other songs like Love's A Tormenting Pain and possibly Killiecrankie.

Another famous harper named Arthur O'Neill (who lived from 1734 to 1818) wrote about William in his life story. Arthur O'Neill said:

• I heard much of his brother William Connellan, who was a famous harper and a fine composer. He died in the county of Waterford.