Uilliam Ó Flinn - William O'Flynn

O'Flinn the family Butler
William O'Flynn the butler

William O'Flynn was butler at the house of Carolan's patron Mrs. Ann MacDermott Roe where Carolan returned on horseback when he felt he was going to die. He was settled in bed and went sound asleep. After the space of an hour he awoke and called for a drink. The butler William Flynn, ran quickly and brought him his well known bowl, filled with his favorite beverage, which he eagerly grasped and pressed to his lips until he satisfied his thirst. Then he repeated the following verse in a clear and distinct manner, laid down his head, and in a moment sunk in a sleep to wake no more. The last he spoke was the following to Flynn. ... O'Sullivan v 1 p 102.

Shiubhail mé thart go ceart thríd críche Chuinn,
Is fuair mé marasaigh neartmhar, bríoghmar ann.
Ar brígh mo bhaisde ní bhfuaras ariamh sa' rainn
An té choissg mo thart go ceart ach Uilliam Ó Floinn!

 I duly travelled round through Conn's territory
And I found many mighty and vigorous there.
By my baptism, for dispensing [drink] I never found
One who quenched my thirst aright but William Flynn.

Song Notations

Notations are courtesy of Carolan, the Life and Times of an Irish Harper by Dónal O'Sullivan vol 1 pg. 232 Celtic Music Edition 1983.

Replay background music: William Flynn
Courtesy of Vivian and Jack Hennessey, IrishPage.com, 2004.
The O'Flynn coat of arms came into existence centuries ago. The process of creating coats of arms (also often called family crests) began in the eight and ninth centuries. The new art of Heraldry made it possible for families and even individual family members to have their very own coat of arms.

Filleadh go liosta
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