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Catherine Ann Cullen

A ‘Dark Man’ of Dublin Songs: Finding Joseph Sadler

Catherine Ann Cullen is the inaugural Poet in Residence at Poetry Ireland, and an award-winning poet, songwriter and children's writer. ITMA is delighted to host a new blog on her recent research into the life of an all but forgotten 19th century Dublin street poet and ballad seller, Joseph Sadler. As well as enriching our knowledge of Dublin history and song, this substantial piece of research provides important context for Sadler material found in ballad sheets held in the ITMA Collection.

“For this blog post, I have recorded three samples from Sadler songs. As far as I can tell, these are the first recordings of his songs ever made, and they have not been heard since Sadler sang them over 150 years ago.”

Catherine Ann Cullen, 2021

“One of these ballad sheets, A New Song on the O’Connell Monument, also held at the Irish Traditional Music Archive, includes the intriguing information that the author was ‘Joseph Sadler, a dark man’. This detail proved key to discovering more about the life and work of Sadler.”

Catherine Ann Cullen, 2021
A New Song on the O'Connell Monument / Composed by Joseph Sadler, A Dark Man. Digital Copy held in ITMA courtesy Dublin City Library and Archive

Peace Not Praties, song / Catherine Ann Cullen, singing in English; Joseph Sadler, composer

A New Song on the Glorious Victory of the Popes Brigade / by Joseph Sadlier. Digital Copy held in ITMA courtesy Dublin City Library and Archive
Detail: Lines on the Expected Testimonial of his Grace the late much Lammented Rev'd Doctor O'Connor Bishop of Saldis / by Joseph Salder. ITMA Collection.
Lines on the Expected Testimonial of his Grace the late much Lammented Rev'd Doctor O'Connor Bishop of Saldis / by Joseph Salder. ITMA Collection.

The Green Gown Lass, song / Catherine Ann Cullen, singing in English ; Joseph Sadler, composer

The Orange Repealers, song / Catherine Ann Cullen, singing in English ; Joseph Sadler, composer

Lines written on Montgomery / composed by Joseph Sadler. ITMA Collection Courtesy: Dublin City Library and Archive
Detail: Sketches of Irish character in Dublin, 1881 / Harry Furness. ITMA Collection
Fraser's Map of Dublin and its Suburbs, 1855. Courtesy: UCD Digital Library http://digital.ucd.ie/view/ivrla:4198

“Perhaps it takes some effort to ‘pay attention’ to Sadler, and to reclaim him as more than a news dealer: as a balladeer who trod a short but proud path in the Liberties, and whose songs reflected the stories of the day, especially as they affected the Catholics of his city.”

Catherine Ann Cullen, 2021