Ó hAmhsaigh began to play for himself at the age of eighteen (i.e., in 1713), his first patron being Counsellor Canning of Garvagh, with whom he stayed for half a year.
His second journey to Scotland coincided with the 1745 Rebellion: In his second trip to Scotland, in the year 1745, being at Edinburgh, when Charley the Pretender was there, he was called into the great hall to play; at first he was alone, afterwards four fiddlers joined: the tune called for was, "The king shall enjoy his own again:" – he sung here part of the words following – "I hope to see the day When the Whigs shall run away, And the king shall enjoy his own again."
Mr Bunton, the celebrated musician of that town, was here the year before, at Hampson's, noting his tunes and his manner of playing, which is in the best old style.
Ó hAmhsaigh returned to Magilligan late in life, and "at the age of eighty-six, married a woman of Inishowen, whom he found living in the house of an old friend.
He is pleased when they tell him, as he thinks is the case, that several people of character, for musical taste, send letters to invite him; and he, though incapable now of leaving the house, is planning expeditions never to be attempted, much less realized; these are the only traces of mental debility; as to his body, he has no inconvenience but that arising from a chronic disorder: his habits have ever been sober; his favourite drink, once beer, now milk and water; his diet chiefly potatoes.
[citation needed]" Lord Bristol gave Ó hAmhsaigh three guineas and ground rent free to build a house, joining the family at the housewarming.
Lord Bristol helped alleviate the family's distress "in the dear year, his lordship called in his coach and six, stopped at the door, and gave a guinea to buy meal.