Born in Fethard, Tipperary, Ireland, Charles MacCarthy demonstrated great musical ability and sporting prowess from childhood. Determined to pursue a medical career he entered the Catholic University School of Medicine, Dublin. He eventually graduated M.D. at the University of Brussels in 1884 and was admitted a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland. That same year he immigrated to Australia.
MacCarthy's musical activity in Australia saw him write, arrange and publish songs, including several patriotic war-songs. His biggest success was "The Toast is ANZAC! Gentlemen." He also collaborated with Harry Taylor on the comic opera Lady Nora (1907), lectured and wrote on music, and in 1912 co-founded the Tom Moore concerts at which he was an accompanist.
A devout Catholic, MacCarthy's paintings were mainly on religious themes. His sculptures were also much admired by the public and critics alike. Interestingly he was self-taught as a sculpture.
Among MacCarthy's published works are: 'Address to the Ladies of Australasia on Behalf of the 98 Commemoration : With a Brief Sketch of the Events which Precipitated the Irish Insurrection of 1798' (1898) and 'Effects of Secular Music on Mind and Morals : A Paper Read before the First Australasian Catholic Congress' (1900).
