Bermuda: Irish Poet Thomas Moore - St. George, St. George's Parish, Bermuda

Thomas Moore

St. George, St. George's Parish

Bermuda

N 32° 22.882 W 064° 40.570

Quick Description: 

A bust of Irish poet Thomas Moore is located in a triangular walled garden east of King's Square in St. George, Bermuda.

Long Description:

A 3' high life-size bronze bust of Irish poet Thomas Moore rests on a 3' high stone base. The curly haired poet is is shown from the mid-chest up. He is wearing a double breasted coat buttoned left over right, a neck scarf, and a bow tie. He is facing slightly to his left.

A bronze plaque on the front of the base is inscribed:

THOMAS MOORE

1779-1852

IRISH POET AND LYRIST

BYRON'S FRIEND

THAT LITTLE BAY WHERE WINDING IN

FROM OCEAN’S RUDE AND ANGRY DIN

THE BILLOWS MISSED THE SHORE, AND THEN

FLOW CALMLY TO THE DEEP AGAIN.

Poet, singer, songwriter, and entertainer Thomas Moore was born in Dublin, Ireland on May 28, 1779. He was one of the first Catholic students to graduated from Trinity College in 1795. In 1799 he traveled to London to study law but his interests were elsewhere. He became widely regarded as a poet, translator, balladeer, and singer. A collection of his works called "Moore's Melodies", were published between 1808 and 1834.

In 1803 he was appointed registrar to the Admiralty in Bermuda. He spent several months in Bermuda where he wrote several poems about the islands. He is sometimes called the unofficial poet laureate of Bermuda.

Thomas Moore is best remembered for writing the lyrics of "The Minstrel Boy" and "The Last Rose of Summer". He, together with with John Murray, was responsible for burning the memoirs of his friend Lord Byron upon Byron's death.