Press Release
CATHERINE HAYES -LIMERICK’S DIVA
FROM RAGS TO RICHES
The second time around
No. 4 Patrick Street is the birthplace of Catherine Hayes, Irelands first Operatic Diva. The property is located in Limerick city at the far end of O’ Connell Street towards the Dublin Road. The terrace of six houses incorporates Catherine Hayes former home and will now become situated close to the retail development to be known as “The Opera Centre”. The area in question dates back to early Georgian Limerick, it is estimated to have been built in the late 1780’s. From a conservation point of view all that can be done has been done to save any buildings of architectural merit in this area. Those that are being demolished have been surveyed and have shown to be in a horrific state of disrepair, many beyond conservation to the extreme. By taking on the enormous task of restoring No. 4 Patrick Street, Limerick Civic Trust is ensuring that part of this important architecture is retained.
Using No.4 as a typical example of a Georgian building in Limerick, it lacks the size and grandeur of properties in O’ Connell Street or Pery Square which were built in the early 1800’s. This shop fronted building, four storeys over basement does not have any ornate plasterwork, fancy woodwork but it still represents an important example of Georgian architecture as it is part of the earliest developments in Newtown Pery. The interior of the shop is possibly the oldest in the city. Its quaint charm is unique and something special. Trade directories, census records and so forth record that No. 4 was a busy place, at various times selling confectionary, straw hats, tobacco, toys and fancy goods.
But No. 4 has an added significance it is soon to be a monument to Catherine Hayes “The Swan of Erin” as she was affectionately known throughout the world.
Catherine Hayes (1818-1861) was born in No. 4 Patrick Street, where she lived until her teens before moving to Dublin for formal voice training. If there ever was a classic rags to riches story this is it.
Her early years were ones of poverty and hardship. Her father, a bandmaster, abandoned the home so her mother had to provide for the family. One of the Corbett sisters, from the nearby Corbett’s Music Emporium gave Catherine singing lessons at a young age.
Catherine’s success began when she was discovered at 16. It all began when Catherine was singing in the garden of the Earl of Limerick’s Mansion at 105 Henry Street Limerick. While waiting for her mother who worked there as a maid, Catherine began singing alone in the garden. The next door neighbour Bishop Edmond Knox was listening to her and recognised the quality and potential in her voice. The Bishop arranged for some of Limerick’s merchant princes of the time to hear Catherine singing they agreed to fund the cost of her formal training with Signor Sapia in Dublin.
In 1840 Signor Sapia arranged for Catherine to give a recital at Swinbourne’s Hotel, Brunswick Street, now Sarsfield Street, Limerick (this was also the same venue where Franz Liszt gave two concerts in 1841). Bishop Knox and his merchant acquaintances were so impressed that they renewed their bursary type support for a further year’s training. Soon after Catherine progressed to advanced voice training in Paris and Milan. It was not long before she was starring in Opera and once she made her debut at La Scala in Milan in 1845 the world was at her feet.
Catherine Hayes captivated audiences throughout Ireland, England, Continental Europe, Canada, the USA, Southern America, Australia, Asia and India. Full houses, and near riots over ticket demand was the norm wherever she performed. A hospital in Sydney was named after her, songs and poems were written especially for her, drinks, ships and race horses were also named after her such was the public adoration of “The Irish Nightingale”.
Catherine was extremely popular on a world wide scale, she was of course greatly appreciated in her home town. In 1850 Catherine performed in Limerick’s Royal Theatre, her shows were sold out immediately even at a 300% premium rate. According to archive sources, hoards of people gathered outside the theatre to catch a glimpse of the diva as she travelled from Cruise’s Hotel to the theatre, police were called to manage the growing crowd. Mr. Corbett (who leased the building from Joseph Fogerty) kindly opened all the doors to allow those who were unable to buy a ticket to hear the famous Limerick Lady. Before leaving the city Catherine donated £20 which was distributed to two hospitals and the city dispensary. Limerick Civic Trust is fundraising to remember this very generous diva who contributed greatly to numerous charities worldwide.
Despite all the fame and fortune she amassed during her short life she never forgot the hardships of her early years. There are many accounts of her charitable deeds benefit concerts to help the funding of orphanages, churches and hospitals. Most importantly she never forgot Limerick and returned to give concerts usually promoted by the Cobbett’s to whom she gave a silver tea service as a token of her appreciation. In her will she bequeathed money to Miss Agnes Knox, the granddaughter of Bishop Knox, her mother and sister were also well cared for throughout their lives.
Catherine Hayes lived the last years of her life in London, when she died she was buried in Kensal Green Cemetery where many royalty, rich and famous are also interred. Interestingly close by to her grave are the burial places of the famous Irish composers William Vincent Wallace and Michael Balfe who both wrote and dedicated music to her.
Just like her Limerick childhood home, due to neglect and natural decay her burial place and monument fell into a state of disrepair or in the context of this article, a very ragged state. These two present day reminders of the extraordinary worldwide achievements of a diva in classical music were in deep contrast to the adulation she enjoyed through the excellence of her personality and soprano voice. In early 2007 Limerick Civic Trust arranged for and funded the restoration of her sarcophagus in Kensal Green, London. Now once again her burial place is a fitting tribute to the memory of Catherine Hayes.
Limerick Civic Trust, the first Civic Trust to be established on the Island of Ireland in 1982, tried to acquire No. 4 Patrick Street to restore it, Trust as they have done with their other two properties The Bishops’ Palace and The Georgian House. They might have failed to gain ownership but instead Limerick Civic Trust secured the building for a peppercorn rent in perpetuity. The Trusts interests in the property have ensured that that No. 4 became a protected building. Once the building has been made structurally sound The Trust will actively fundraise to complete the restoration works at No. 4 to ensure that the birthplace of Catherine Hayes will once again hold a reverend place in her native city.
Recently the building was acquired by the Belfast based development company Regeneration Developments who have also acquired two acres of property in the Patrick Street areas for a major retail development which will be known as the Opera Centre.
In conjunction with Regeneration Developments, Limerick Civic Trust will be involved in a complete, faithful restoration of the Hayes home. The restored No. 4 will be a public visitor centre with a unique display on the life and career of Catherine Hayes, the shop will be owner- occupied by Limerick Civic Trust. The top two floors will be artist in residence type accommodation. Possibly most importantly will be that the house is to be in the home of The Catherine Hayes bursary through which it is planned to financially assist students in classical music to further their careers or studies.
So from the current ragged state of the building Limerick Civic Trust will faithfully restore this Georgian house into thriving arts venue worthy of the memory of Limericks’ Catherine Hayes the “Swan of Erin”
