Oliver Goldsmith. (1728 - 1774}
Oliver Goldsmith was one of Ireland's finest writers and a literary journey through the Irish midlands is hardly complete without visiting his birthplace in County Longford, though there is some argument as to where, with Elphin in County Roscommon being also suggested. A poetry competition and literary festival in his honour is held each year and centers around Pallas where there is a fine statue of him modeled on the one that guards Trinity College in Dublin alongside his compatriot Edmond Burke. There is also one in Ballymahon County Longford and another in Westminster Abbey with an inscription by Samuel Johnson. He was the prompt at the recent 'Poetry for Pleasure' outing in An Tobar, Ardbraccan and it's amazing how many different pieces of information came up. Died very young and in great debt but his legacy remains. The above was loaded to Youtube by 'Classic Literature' and with thanks.
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