SNIPPET: Oliver GOLDSMITH of Longford was a physician turned prolific writer, editor, and poet. His essay on Turlough CAROLAN (1670-1738) is said to be the earliest mention of the blind harpist. Per the author -- "Of all the bards this country ever produced, the last and the greatest was Carolan the blind. He was at once a poet, a musician, a composer, and sung his own verses to his harp. The original natives never mention his name without rapture; both his poetry and music they have by heart; and even some of the English themselves who have been transplanted here, find his music extremely pleasing .... Whenever any of the original natives of distinction were assembled at feasting or revelling, Carolan was generally there, where he was always ready with his harp, to celebrate their praises. He seemed by nature formed for his profession; for as he was born blind, so also he possessed of a most astonishing memory, and a facetious turn of thinking, which gave his entert! ainers infinite satisfaction. Being once at the house of an Irish nobleman, where there was a musician present, who was eminent in the profession, Carolan immediately challenged him to a trial of skill. To carry the jest forward, his lordship persuaded the musician to accept the challenge, and he accordingly played over on his fiddle the fifth concerto of Vivialdi. Carolan, immediately taking his harp, played over the whole piece after him, without missing a note, though he had never heard it before: which produced some surprise but their astonishment increased, when he assured them he could make a concerto in the same taste himself, which he instantly composed, and that with such spirit and elegance, that it may compare (for we have it still) with the finest compositions of Italy ... " A painting by Francis BINDON, "Carolan the Harper, oil on copper, 18th century, can be found in the National Gallery of Ireland, Dublin.