Catherine Hayes

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Catherine Hayes (1818-1861) was the first Irish opera singer. Born at 4 Patrick Street, Limerick, Ireland, her father deserted his family causing great financial distress. Hayes achieved legendary status in her own lifetime and and was the first Irish born Opera Diva.

The young Catherine Hayes worked as a charwoman at Lord Limerick's home at Henry Street where she sang as she worked and was heard by a Dr. Knox, the Church of Ireland Bishop. He arranged sponsorship for her to study under Antonio Sapio in Dublin where she gave her first public performance in 1839 at the age of 19. Seven years later Catherine Hayes was prima donna at La Scala, Milan and in 1849 she gave a Command Performance for Queen Victoria with the Royal Italian Opera Company. She returned to Limerick in March 1850 where she gave a performance of Bellini's La Somnambula at the Theatre Royal.

Catherine Hayes toured extensively in Europe, America and Australia. She was the first Irish international star and the first ever Opera star to tour Australia. She sang for the Hawaiian Royal family in Honolulu, Hawaii and a street was named in her honor in San Francisco where she married her manager, William Avery Bushnell in 1857. She was the highest paid singer of her time attracting huge fees for her performances.

Catherine Hayes died in August 1861 at the age of 43 and is buried in Kensal Green Cemetery in London. During her lifetime she was a generous supporter of many charitable works in Ireland including the restoration of St.Mary's Cathedral in Limerick as well as many causes abroad.