Born on 4 January 1928, John Hennessy lived most of his life in Branch. A hard-working man his entire life, John’s work as a heavy equipment operator for the Department of Highways took him to other parts of Newfoundland and up to Labrador, including Churchill Falls. He also worked as a mail carrier
John Hennessy step dances to music played by Gerald Campbell on the harmonica. This image appears in Radharc's 1981 documentary The Forgotten Irish.
| Creator | Wylde, Donal, camera ; McCarthy, Dermod, director |
| Date | [August 1980] |
| Publisher | The Radharc Trust Film Archive |
| Location | Roche house, Branch, St Mary's Bay, Newfoundland, Canada |
| Subject | Newfoundland: Instrumental Music ; Newfoundland: Dance |
| Collection | The Radharc Trust Film Archive |
| Type | Image |
| Extent | 1 digital image |
| Copyright | The Radharc Trust Film Archive |
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John Hennessy step dances while Gerald Campbell plays the harmonica, August 1980 / The Radharc Trust Film Archive
© The Radharc Trust Film Archive
John could often be heard singing at house parties around Branch with his wife, Helen. He also appeared in local concerts, performing songs and step dancing. John’s music came from previous generations of his family, a tradition he continued by passing on his songs to the next generation.
John passed away on 16 May 2014.
The barque in the harbour / John Hennessy
The barque in the harbour, song (The barque in the harbour, I went roaming on shore …) Also known as “The Spanish lass,” “The young Spanish lass,” and “The Indian lass,” this broadside ballad probably has its origins in 1820s Britain (Guigné 2016:347). It tells the story of a sailor who goes ashore, meets a local woman, and then leaves her to return home.
| ITMA Reference | 54056 |
| Creator | Hennessy, John, singing in English |
| Contributor | O'Hara, Aidan |
| Date | November 1975 |
| Publisher | Irish Traditional Music Archive |
| Location | Branch, St Mary's Bay, Newfoundland, Canada |
| Subject | Newfoundland: Song in English |
| Language | English |
| Collection | Aidan O'Hara Collection |
| Type | Sound |
| Extent | 00:02:43 |
| Copyright | Performer and Aidan O'Hara |
| Roud Number | 2326 |
| View in ITMA catalogue: | Go to catalogue |
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Courtesy of Helena Nash
John Joe English (1896–1991)
Bride (1908–1999) and Patsy Judge (ca. 1912–1989)
Irish Traditional Music Archive /
Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann
73 Merrion Square
Dublin 2
Ireland
D02 WK75
T +353 (0)1 661 9699
