De La Maine was an Irish composer and organist of French ancestry. Both his father, Laurence, and his grandfather, Henry, were dancing-masters who settled in Cork in the middle of the 18th century. They took over a house on Hop Island in Rochestown in Cork, which had earned its name from the activities of the previous owner, Mr Boland, also a dancing-master.
Laurence and his wife died within five days of each other in October 1762, by which time Henry had been appointed organist of Christchurch. He continued at this church until 1781 when he was appointed to Saint Fin Barre´s Cathedral. He held this post until his death in December 1796.
He published Six New Psalm Tunes in London in 1781 and a number of songs which attained great popularity. He also composed An Ode to the Duke and Duchess of Rutland, performed in Cork in 1785. The Duke of Rutland was Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at this time.