William Allingham (1824-1889) was a poet from Ballyshannon, Co.Donegal. When he was young he enjoyed the country sights and gardens, learned to paint and listened to his mother's piano-playing. Sadly his mother passed away when he was only nine years old.
When he grew up he worked in his native town for a number of years and then married an Illustrator called Helen Paterson in 1874. William resided in England during this time and died at Hampstead in 1889. His ashes are interred at St.Anne's church in Ballyshannon.
Throughout his lifetime he produced much excellent lyrical and descriptive poetry, and the best of his pieces recognize the spirit of local colouring. His verse is clear, fresh and graceful.
