O’Flaherty, Charles.—Born in 1794, in Dublin, where his father was a pawnbroker in Ross Lane, and was apprenticed to a bookseller, eventually turning to journalism. He was on the staff of the Dublin Morning Post, and afterwards edited the Wexford Evening Post. He died in May 1828. He published three volumes of verse, and some of his songs enjoyed great popularity, especially “The Humours of Donnybrook Fair,” which is taken from his Trifles in Poetry, 1813.
O’Keeffe, John.—This popular dramatist was born in Dublin on June 24th, 1747, and was at first intended as an artist, as he was very deft with the pencil. But he preferred the stage, and was a successful actor for a time. Removing to London, he began to earn repute as a dramatist, writing numerous plays, chiefly operas and farces, which had great vogue. His “Wild Oats,” a comedy, still keeps the stage, and other pieces of his are still remembered. He lost his sight many years before his death, which occurred at Southampton on February 24th, 1833.
O’Leary, Joseph.—Author of The Tribute, a collection of prose and verse, published anonymously at Cork in 1833. He was born in Cork about 1790, and was a contributor to the scurrilous Freeholder and other papers of his native city and of Dublin. He came to London in 1834, and acted as parliamentary reporter for the Morning Herald. Between 1840 and 1850 he disappeared, and is said to have committed suicide in the Regent’s Canal. “Whisky, Drink Divine” first appeared in The Freeholder about 1820.
O’Leary, Patrick.—One of the foremost writers in Irish at the present day. He is a resident of West Cork, and is probably a native of that locality. The original of the sketch quoted appeared in The Gaelic Journal, and was translated by himself for the present collection.
O’Ryan, Jeremiah.—Born near Bansha, co. Tipperary, about the close of last century, and died in March 1855. He is generally known as “Darby Ryan of Bansha.” Some of his songs were collected and published in Dublin in 1861.
Porter, Rev. Thomas Hamblin, D.D.—Born about 1800, and died some years ago, but little is known about him. He graduated D.D. at Dublin University in 1836, and wrote a few pieces, which were published in Dublin magazines. “The Nightcap” appeared about 1820.
Roche, Sir Boyle.—Born probably in the south of Ireland about 1740. Was a soldier, and distinguished himself in the American War. He entered the Irish Parliament, and was created a baronet in 1782 by the Government for his unwavering support. He was pensioned for his service in voting for the Union, and died in Dublin on June 5th, 1807. He was noted for his very carefully prepared blunders in speech.
Shalvey, Thomas.—A market-gardener in Dublin, who wrote some amusing poems for James Kearney, a vocalist who used to sing at several music-halls and inferior concert-rooms in Dublin a good many years ago. Kearney was very popular, and some of his best songs were written for him by Shalvey.
Shaw, George Bernard.—Born in Dublin in 1856, is now recognised as one of the most brilliant of musical critics in London. He was for a time a land agent in the West of Ireland, but was always a musical enthusiast, and belongs to a musical family well known in Dublin. He has a profound knowledge of music, but a somewhat flippant way of showing it. He has written several clever novels, and literary, art, and musical criticisms for leading London papers. He was the caustic “Corno di Bassetto” of The Star, and is now the musical critic of The World. He is also a brilliant speaker, and has quite recently come to the front as a dramatist.
Sheridan, Richard Brinsley.—Born in October 1751, in Dorset Street, Dublin, and son of a noted actor and manager. As dramatist, orator, and spendthrift, Sheridan’s name figures very prominently in the memoirs of his time. His wit was squandered in every direction as well as his cash, and he has been reproached for making every one of the characters in his plays as witty as himself. He was an important personality in the politics of his day, and sat in the English Parliament for many years. He died in debt and poverty on July 7th, 1816, and was accorded a grand burial in Westminster Abbey.