Summary: In Carolan's Cottage I'm given to think of the blind harpist, Turlough O’Carolan, beginning in the late 1600's, wandering from "big house" to "big house," earning a living by entertaining his hosts with song and harp. His must have had his own small cottage when he eventually married and raised five children. Or perhaps the cottage of this tune was one of a few from his childhood, in particular the one on the land of a major patroness, Mrs. MacDermott Roe. It was here he caught smallpox and lost his sight. Subsequently he received instruction on the harp and was given a horse and guide to make his way in the world.
