CHAPTER 4: Dulcimers in the British Isles since 1800 > Dulcimers in Southern Ireland

John Barton

Nothing more is heard of the dulcimer until after the First World War, the time when John Barton was active:

"I saw the famous player John Barton, playing in the fairs in Rathdowney, about 1920 it would be, or previous to that: I used to follow him about; God, I thought it was amazing music all right!

"He was from Dublin, he used to play outside the theatres; Dame Clara Butt stopped outside to listen to him play - he was as good as that.

"I imagine he was a Dublin man - he was knocked down with a bus... "(38)