Percy French (May 1 1854 - January 24 1920) was one of Ireland's foremost entertainers of the day. He graduated from Trinity College Dublin (TCD) as a civil engineer in 1881 and joined the Board of Works in County Cavan. When the Board reduced its staff around 1887 French turned to journalism as editor of "The Jarvey", a weekly comic paper.

When the Jarvey failed, French's long and successful career as a songwriter and entertainer began. He became renowned for composing and singing comic songs and gained considerable distinction with such songs as "Phil the Fluters Ball", "Slattery's Mounted Fut", "The Mountains O' Mourne" and "Are Ye Right There Michael?". Percy French died from pneumonia in 1920, aged 65. He is buried in Formby in Lancashire.