Arthur Nicholas Whistler Colahan (12 August 1884 – 15 September 1952) was an Irish medical doctor, British Army officer and songwriter.

Career

Born Nicholas Arthur Colohan at Alexandra Terrace, Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, he was eldest child of Professor Nicholas Colahan (1853–1930) and Elisabeth (Lizzie) Quinn of Limerick (born c.1866). His family moved to Galway, and he grew up there. After completing his secondary education at

St Joseph's Patrician College St. Joseph's Patrician College, often known as "The Bish", is a secondary school in the West Ireland city of Galway. Founded by the Patrician Brothers, a religious order, it has approximately 800 students on roll and, in recent years, has ha ...

, Galway ('The Bish') and Mungret College, Limerick, he enrolled at University College Dublin in 1900, did an Arts degree then studied medicine. He transferred to University College Galway and graduated in 1913. He was a member of the college Literary and Debating Society and participated in drama. He began his medical career in the County Infirmary in Galway, and then moved to

Holles Street Holles Street is a street in Marylebone in the City of Westminster in central London that runs from the south side of Cavendish Square to Oxford Street. History The street was one of those laid out around 1729 when the area north of Oxford Stree ...

maternity hospital. He joined the

Royal Army Medical Corps The Royal Army Medical Corps (RAMC) is a specialist corps in the British Army which provides medical services to all Army personnel and their families, in war and in peace. The RAMC, the Royal Army Veterinary Corps, the Royal Army Dental Corps a ...

, and was badly affected by

mustard gas Mustard gas or sulfur mustard is a chemical compound belonging to a family of cytotoxic and blister agents known as mustard agents. The name ''mustard gas'' is technically incorrect: the substance, when dispersed, is often not actually a gas, b ...

in India. After the war he settled in

Leicester Leicester ( ) is a city status in the United Kingdom, city, Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority and the county town of Leicestershire in the East Midlands of England. It is the largest settlement in the East Midlands. The city l ...

, where he spent the rest of his career as a neurological specialist. Colahan was a composer of popular songs. His most famous work is '' Galway Bay'', which was popularised by

Bing Crosby Harry Lillis "Bing" Crosby Jr. (May 3, 1903 – October 14, 1977) was an American singer, musician and actor. The first multimedia star, he was one of the most popular and influential musical artists of the 20th century worldwide. He was a ...

, and was the biggest selling record of all time at one stage. Some say this was composed in the home of Dr Morris at 1 Montpelier Terrace, Galway, while others believe it was in The Vicars Croft on Taylor's Hill, Galway, from where one can see Galway Bay. Other songs written by Colahan included ''Maccushla Mine'', ''Asthoreen Bawn'', ''Until God's Day'', ''The Kylemore Pass'' and ''The Claddagh Ring''.

References

External links

"Mayor spearheading campaign to recognise 'Galway Bay' composer"
''Galway Independent'', 21 February 2006 {{DEFAULTSORT:Colahan, Arthur 1884 births 1952 deaths British Army personnel of World War I Irish psychiatrists Musicians from County Fermanagh Musicians from County Galway People from Enniskillen Royal Army Medical Corps officers Male songwriters from Northern Ireland Military personnel from County Fermanagh Medical doctors from County Fermanagh Irish military doctors Medical doctors from County Galway Irish officers in the British Army 20th-century songwriters from Northern Ireland

Career

Further reading

References

External links