Catherine Hayes

Catherine Hayes, married name Catherine Bushnell, (1818? – 11 August 1861) was a world-famous Irish soprano of the Victorian era. According to London's Daily Express, "Hayes was the 'Madonna' of her day; she was the 19th-century operatic equivalent of the world's most famous pop star."

Biography Youth in Limerick and education in Dublin and Paris (1818–1845) Hayes was baptised on 8 November 1818, in St Mary's Cathedral, Limerick. She was born of humble Anglo-Irish parentage at 4 Patrick Street, Limerick. Her father was the musician Arthur Williamson Hayes; He organized funding for Hayes to have vocal training in Limerick. She then gave private performances for the local Protestant Ascendancy.

The Age newspaper called Hayes' first concert in the Queen's Theatre, Melbourne, "a great event in our local history." After a tour through Geelong and Adelaide, she departed for Calcutta, where she disembarked in January 1855 The central stone monument was painted grey with black lettering, and the surrounding balustrade green and white. Cemetery authorities said the work had not been authorised, was not in keeping with the cemetery, and my have damaged the stonework.