John Moran, Portrait Painter
(fl. c. 1764)
Portrait Painter
From A Dictionary of Irish Artists 1913
He was given a premium of five guineas by the Dublin Society in October, 1763, for "a composition of several full-length figures." He was then living in College Green, Dublin. He was perhaps the Moran who worked at Newmarket, Co. Cork, and restored the portrait of Captain Robert Oliver, of Castle Oliver, now at Blarney Castle. His performance is commemorated in the lines:
Old Robin Rhu of valour true,
But aspect most uncivil,
In armour dight, like ancient knight,
Would shame the very divil!
'Tis true, they say, that in his day
His face with scars was worn.
But sure it is his ugly phiz
Was uglier made by Moran!