Irish convict musicians

Between 1791 and 1867 about 40,000 Irish convicts were sent to the eastern Australian colonies. Although these only accounted for 12% of the total number of convicts transported, their culture had a distinct influence on the Australian psyche. Irish convict musicians provided music for celebrations, weddings (which could last up to three days), wakes, and for everyday entertainment, especially in public houses.

The great majority of Irish convicts served their sentences free from trouble and went on to lead ordinary lives. It is almost impossible to trace their musical careers. Occasionally the archives do record a convict with a musical calling, as in the case of the master of music and dance, Michael Blake from County Galway who absconded from his assigned master, N. Lawson of Bathurst in 1837.

Edmund/Edward Elliott was another Irish convict, also a master of music and dance, whose story was recorded, providing a more detailed insight into these times. Read Edward’s story here>>

The table below lists Irish convicts who identified themselves as having a musical trade. Many other musicians would not have listed this as their main profession, and consequently are not identified. No Irish women claimed a musical career, but there are many references to women singing and dancing in the colony.

Scroll across >> to see the date and place of trial, term of sentence, and the convict ship.

For more information, visit the National Library of Australia’s Irish Convicts

Thanks to Peter Mayberry for his information on  Irish convict sites and New South Wales convict database