Henry Blosse Lynch: A famous Irish explorer

When we think of famous Irish explorers, the names of Shackleton and Crean come to mind. But what of Henry Blosse Lynch who went before the aforementioned? Here the Evening Herald newspaper of July 1969 picks up on the story, perhaps anticipating some news of exploration of a different before that month was out:

HENRY BLOSSE LYNCH, the famous explorer, was born at Partry, County Mayo, in 1807. As a boy he showed restlessness. He loved the sea, and was always watching the horizon for sailing ships. Ships were on his mind night and day, and before he was 14, it was quite evident to his parents that he was destined to be a sailor. In 1823 he joined the navy, and after spending six years at sea, and visiting many foreign parts, he sought further adventure. With F.H. Chesney, he explored the Nubian desert and traversed the Euphrates route to India. He also travelled on foot from Armenia to Baghdad, opening up that route for the traders, who were to come after him. He was always and ever seeking new lands, and new routes to old places.

In 1843 he returned to the sea when he was appointed commander of a flotilla in the Royal Indian Navy. He retained that command until 1851, when he retired and settled down in Paris, where he lived until 1875, writing his memoirs in French and explaining to posterity what had been achieved through the exploration of the bast tracks of desert land, which he had crossed, and opened up. He had a large circle of friends in Paris, as well as in England, particularly in London. Towards the end of his life, he enjoyed a Civil List Pension of £300 per annum, from the British Exchequer.

For more information on Blosse Lynch search the pages of the Irish Newspaper Archive (www.irishnewsarchive.com )