In This Section

Past Organists

Of the 22 organists who have held this office since 1634, many have had links with St Patrick’s & Christ Church Cathedrals in Dublin. One of the most notable was John Clarke (later Clarke-Whitfeld) who was organist in Armagh from 1794-1797 and later moved to hold a similar post at St John’s and Trinity Colleges Cambridge & Hereford Cathedral.

Frederick William Horncastle (1816-1822) holds the unique fame of having been dismissed from office of organist “on account of the turbulence, contention, insolence and contumacy”.

Robert Turle (1822-1872) was the younger brother of James Turle (later organist of Westminster Abbey) and was responsible for the training and musical education of several very distinguished composers, singers and instrumentalists. There is a memorial in the cathedral to his 50 years work as organist of Armagh.

View the list of Organists from 1634 to the present day, click an organist’s name to learn more.

1634 – 1642 Richard Gallway
1670’s – 1688 Claxton
1693 – 1695 John Hawkshaw
1695 – 1703 Robert Hodge
1711 – 1722 William Toole
1722 – 1752 Samuel Bettridge
1752 – 1758 John Woffington
1759 – 1774 Robert Barnes
1776 – 1780 Langrish Doyle
1782 – 1794 Richard Langdon
1794 – 1797 John Clarke
1797 – 1816 John Jones
1816 – 1822 Frederick William Horncastle
1822 – 1872 Robert Turle
1872 – 1916 Thomas Osborne Marks
1916 – 1920 George Henry Philips Hewson
1920 – 1935 Edred Martin Chaundy
1935 – 1951 Reginald Harry West
1951 – 1966 Frederick George Carter
1966 – 1968 Eric Christopher Phelps
1968 – 2002 Martin White
2002 - Theo Saunders