McCalley, John

Dates Active in Dublin: 

1782–1800

Business Type: 
Musical instrument maker: harpsichord
Musical instrument maker: piano
Music publisher
Music seller
Address(es): 

33 Moore Street

Details: 

A notice in the Freeman's Journal on 5–7 September 1782 stated that 'John McCalley has opened shop' on 33 Moore Street. A notice in the same newspaper (cited in Kerry) on 2–4 September 1782 stated that he was also a harpsichord and piano maker.

In the Dublin Directories he is listed as 'music seller' from 1783 to 1789, thereafter as 'music seller and professor'.

Succeeded in business by his wife Mary after his death in 1800 (Pollard).

[Dates differ according to sources: the Dublin Directories, Hogan and Humphries & Smith give the dates from c. 1783 to 1801 but the Freeman's Journal provides the date of 1782 and Pollard states that he died in 1800. Note: John is listed as a 'professor of music' in the Melodia Sacra in 1814 which may suggest that either he was alive and active at this date or that Mary was still using his name.]

Select Product/Work List: 

Published

  • Giordani, The Graces, words by G.E. Howard, 2 January 1784 (Hibernian Journal, cited in Pollard)
  • McCally, I, When First this Humble Roof I Knew, in Lord of the Manor, c. 1785–97 [for the guitar] (Pollard)
  • 'W. Jackson’s opera performed Dublin 1781, 1785, 1797' (Pollard)
  • Carter, C.T, Oh Nanny Wilt Thou Fly From Me, c. 1785? (Pollard)
  • Ebdon, T., 'Sacred music in score' [proposal for printing by subscription], 14 May 1789 (Dublin Evening Post, cited in Pollard)
  • Hallelujah Chorus, c. 1795 (Pollard)
  • 'Collection of hymns for a voice, harpsichord or guitar', c. 1797/c. 1800 (Pollard, Lawrence)

    • Sold

  • 'Imported an assortment of the most approved and fashionable Music for the Harpsichord, Violin, Guitar, German Flute, &c. The best Roman Violin and Violoncello Strings, Harpsichord and Guitar wires, with every article in the musical way, which he will sell at the most reasonable prices for ready money. - Songs &c. adapted with particular care for the Guitar, with an accompanyment [sic]. [...] He will be constantly supplied with the newest Publications, English and Foreign', 1782 (Freeman's Journal)
  • 'Three duets, by W.H. Bird', 10 November 1794 (Hibernian Journal, cited in Pollard)
    • See Also: 

    McCalley, Mary

    Source(s): 

    Dublin Directories

    Freeman's Journal, 5–7 September 1782, p. 1

    Carroll, F., ‘Dublin Music Sellers, Etc. 18th Century’, The Irish Book Lover, 31.6 (November 1951), 129–30 (p. 130)

    Hogan, Ita Margaret, Anglo-Irish Music 1780–1830 (Cork: Cork University Press, 1966) (p. 103)

    Humphries, Charles and William C. Smith, Music Publishing in the British Isles, from the Beginning until the Middle of the Nineteenth Century; a Dictionary of Engravers, Printers, Publishers, and Music Sellers (London: Oxford University Press, 1970), p. 221

    Kerry, Frances P., 'The Music Scene in Dublin During the Late Eighteenth Century (1790–1800)' (unpublished masters thesis, St Patrick's College, Maynooth, 1994), p. 32

    Lawrence, Thomas, ‘The History of the Guitar in Ireland 1760-1866’, 2 vols (unpublished doctoral thesis, University College Dublin, 1999), I, p. 38

    Pollard, M., A Dictionary of Members of the Dublin Book Trade 1550–1800: Based on the Records of the Guild of St Luke the Evangelist Dublin (London: Bibliographical Society, 2000), pp. 376–77

    Boydell, Brian, ‘McCalley, John’, Dublin Music Trade Card Index <http://dublinmusictrade.ie/card-index>

    Last Update: 17-05-2018