Percy French was an engineer, inspecting Civil works in County Cavan. He also became well known as a composer of songs such as Come Back Paddy Reilly to Ballyjamesduff and Phil the Fluters Ball, both of which refer to Cavan. He lived in Cavan from 1880 to 1888 on Farnham Street. He also owned one of the first bicycles in Cavan but as they were so expensive, he had to purchase and share it with another man. He married local Cavan girl Ellie Armitage Moore. He was also a talented artist. It is said that while he lived in No. 16, he painted on the walls of the house but this painted was wallpapered over by the owners and lost. He married local Cavan girl Ellie Armitage Moore.
He performed at numerous Concerts in the Protestant Hall on Farnham Street. He was also an avid Tennis player and it is claimed that he laid out the tennis courts behind the Protestant Hall on Farnham Street, which is still being used today by Cavan Tennis Club.
Next to Percy French’s house are some beautiful Georgian Houses. All built in the 1820s, owned by the gentry of Cavan, they are fine examples of Georgian Architecture.
