Which notable poet, writer and Irish lyricist wrote four volumes called ‘History of Ireland”?

Thomas Moore (1779-1852) was an Irish writer, poet and lyricist celebrated for his ‘Irish Melodies’ using English-language verse set to old Irish tunes. This marked a transition in popular Irish culture from Irish to English. He is best known for his poem written in 1805 called ‘The Last Rose of Summer’ and ‘The Minstrel Boy’, considered an Irish patriotic song believed composed by Moore in remembrance of a number of his friends.

In 1795, Moore was among the first Catholics admitted to Trinity College, Dublin, preparing, as his mother had hoped, for a career in law. In 1799, Moore continued his law studies at Middle Temple in London.

As an avid writer, Moore’s ‘History of Ireland’, published in four columns between 1835 add 1846. It reads as an extended indictment of English rule of Ireland. Moore was recognized in England as a press, or ‘squib’ (a brief satirical or witty piece) writer for the aristocratic Whigs.

He is often considered Ireland’s national bard and is to Ireland what Robert Burns is to Scotland. Some of his poems have been put to music by various composers plus some of his songs are cited in works by James Joyce (1882-1941), another Irish writer.