Percy French Road: Percy French (1854-1920)

Along with John McCormack, Percy French is probably the most famous of the musician commemorated in the Musical roads. Born in rural Cloonyquin, Co. Roscommon, French studied Civil engineering at Dublin's Trinity College and began a career in song writing from the 1890s. A move to London in 1900 was productive, and he composed numerous songs including the hits "Are ye right there Michael" and the eponymous "Come back, Paddy Reilly".

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