I've long been fascinated by this tune and its subject. Lots of versions listed in the Vickers tune book. I got this lead from a mention in Barry Callaghan's book Hardcore English
http://www.setdance.com/archive/lattin.htmlSeems like he was a gentleman fiddler with a piper pal called Larry Grogan, also with a tune named after him who also died young - in Barbados.
What I found interesting was that he was described as not native Irish after the family had been there for 500 years. Surely if you've danced and died for the country you qualify!
He died in 1731 and the dance and song was current by 1733 and spread right across the British Isles and some say led to 'Yankee Doodle' via doggerel Irish kids' verse
It got into Joyce's
Ulysses whereThe Honourable Mrs Mervyn Tallboys threatens Leopold Bloom with a flogging 'I'll make it hot for you. I'll make you dance Jack Latten!' ie dance and snuff it
As with Iron Legs I do love a good story!
