The Irish standard. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn. ;) 1886-1920, 1909-05-29
MOORE'S NATAL DAY.
The Bard Of Erin Born in Dublin on
.. MAY %, 1879.

ne 6afo OF Erin Born IN Ouo'ln on
May %, 1879.
Friday, May %. was the 130th ami
versary of the birth of Thomas Moore
the national poet of Ireland. The day
was celebrated in New York, Boston
and other large cities in the United
States and throughout Ireland. In
New York city there was the usual
tribute to his memory paid in eulogies
and his statue in one of the public
parks was adorned with laurel
wreath.
| Thomas Moore was born in Dublin
on May %, 1879. His father, John
Moore, was a dealer in groceries and
spirits. His mother was woman Of
talent and education, and made every
effort to give her son an education
that would fit him for one of the
professions. Both parents were de-
vout Catholics. After his prelim
mary education he was sent to the
academy conducted by Samuel Whyte,
and where Richard Brinsley Sheridan
and many other distinguished Irish
men had received their education.
At an early age Moore displayed
| unusual poetic. musical and romantic
tastes. Mr.. Whyte was enamored of
the stage and encouraged his pupil to
cultivate his declamatory and histri-
onic powers. At the age of IA Moore
was writing verses and was referred
teemed correspondent, T. NJ" His pa
rents wanted him to study law, but
such were then the disqualifications to
which Catholics were subjected that
he could not enter on the books of
Trinity college except as a Protestant.
The disqualification was later remov-
ed and he entered Trinity in 1894.
In college young Moore was more
disposed to cultivate the modern than
the ancient languages. He. became a
member Of the College Historical So
ciety of which Robert Emmet and Ar
thur O'Connor were then the most
prominent members. Emmet was one
of his most intimate friends, and his
mothers influence alone prevented him
from becoming perhaps fatally involv-
ed in the revolutionary movement Of
1898. In his diary he gives a graphic
account of the difficulty he had in pull
ing himself through at the visitation
of the Chancellor, Lord Clare, for the
purpose of clearing the college Of stu
dents having revolutionary principles.
Moore became familiar with the
italian and French languages. At the
age Of 20 he graduated from Trinity
j with the degree Of Bachelor of Arts.
The following year he entered as law
student in London. An introduction to
Lord Mora made him at home in Lon
don society, and in a short time the
gifted young Irish poet became the
lion of the hour. His pleasant man
ners. literary taste, rare musical tall
ents and the brilliancy Of his conver-
sation won friends for him rapidly.
In 1903 Moore was appointed Admir-
atty Registrar at Bermuda, but the Sc
. clusion of the islands was too much
for him. He visited the United States
, and Canada for several months and
then resigned his position.
On his return to London the poet
threw himself once more into literary
work. In 1907 Moore entered into an
arrangement with Power. the music
publisher, to write suitable words to
, collection of old Irish airs. These
, Irish melodies were published from
!, time to time from 1907 to 1884. For
these he received $2,5oo year. The
melodies at once became the rage and
have ever since maintained their pop.
ularity.
: In 1911 Moore married Miss Bessy
, Dyke. a young Irish actress. He was
model Of conjugal affection. otis
Z All for Thee" and I'D Mourn the
Hopes That Leave Me-" and other OF
| his melodies were addressed. to her