Mayor spearheading campaign to recognise ‘Galway Bay’ composer

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Written by Christina Hession

Wednesday, 21 February 2007

Mayor of Galway City Niall O Brolcháin is spearheading a campaign to recognise the composer of one of the best-known songs about the county whose final resting place is an unmarked grave in Bohermore Cemetery.

The earliest firm information concerning him relates to the first year of his secondary education at the ‘Bish’.

The Irish Graves Association discovered that Arthur Colahan, who composed the song ‘Galway Bay’, was buried in a multiple grave in the city centre cemetery. They approached Mayor O Brolcháin who has tabled a motion for the March meeting of Galway City Council.

The man, who wrote the biggest selling song in 1956, has “no recognition at all”, according to the Mayor. “He should have his name on the grave. I thought it was a reasonable request. Though we have Colohan Road in the city, he’s obviously someone that a lot of people haven’t heard of.”

Born in Enniskillen on 12 August 1884, the family moved to The Villa opposite the Crescent, where Arthur grew up. The earliest firm information concerning him relates to the first year of his secondary education at the ‘Bish’.

He enrolled at UCD in 1900, did an Arts Degree and then studied medicine. He transferred to UCG and graduated in 1913. A member of the Literary and Debating Society in college, he participated in many college plays.

Arthur Colohan composed a number of songs including ‘Maccushla Mine’, ‘Asthoreen Bawn’, ‘Until Gods Day’, ‘The Kylemore Pass’ and ‘The Claddagh Ring’, but his best-known song was ‘Galway Bay’, which was the biggest selling record of all time for a time.

Theories abound as to where the song was written or where it was first heard. Some say it was in the home of Dr Morris at 1 Montpelier Terrace, while others believe it was in The Vicars Croft on Taylor’s Hill, from where one could see Galway Bay.

The song, which became well known locally, was recorded by many artists over the years, the best known being Bing Crosby. Arthur Colohan began his medical career in the County Infirmary in Prospect Hill, and then moved to Holles Street. He joined the Royal Army Medical Corps, and was badly affected by mustard gas in India. After the war he settled in Leicester, where he spent the rest of his career as a neurological specialist. He died on 15 September 1952.

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