William Orr
Life 1766-1797; United Irishman; b. Farranshane, Co. Antrim, of Presbyterian farming and linen-producing (bleachery) family; advocated moderate views at Carrickfergus meetings; arrested on charge of administering illegal United Irishmeens oath to two soldiers, 1796; unsuccessfully defended against charge of treason by Curran, sentenced and hanged at Carrickfergus, 14 Oct. 1797; his execution aroused great popular indignation and became the subject of a celebrated elegy-ballad by William Drennan. ODNB DIB
Criticism The Northern Leaders of 98 - No 1: William Orr (Dublin: Maunsel & Co 1906).
References Justin McCarthy, ed., Irish Literature, 10 vols. (Washington: University of America 1904), Vol. 3, selects The Wake of William Orr by William Drennan (p.925); rep. also in Brendan Kennelly, ed. & intro., Penguin Book of Irish Verse (Harmondsworth: Penguin 1970), pp.126-27. See further under Drennan [supra].
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