Acclaimed folk musician Tommy Makem dies
Thursday, 2 August 2007 22:17
President Mary McAleese has paid tribute to the acclaimed folk musician and singer Tommy Makem who has died at his home in Dover, New Hampshire in the US.
President McAleese said Mr Makem had brought happiness and joy to hundreds of thousands of fans the world over.
She added that he was always the consummate musician, and described him a superb ambassador for Ireland, and one of whom the country would always be proud.
Tommy Makem was aged 74 and had been suffering from lung cancer.
A musician, artist, poet and storyteller, he was best known as a member of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
He was born and raised in Keady in Co Armagh. After moving to the US in the 1950s, he teamed up with the Clancy Brothers who were signed to Columbia Records.
He left the group in 1969 to pursue a solo career but later joined Liam Clancy to become Makem and Clancy. He went solo again in 1988.
Tommy Makem was best known for songs such as The Green Fields of France, Gentle Annie and Red is the Rose.
- Nine News: Flor MacCarthy reports that the legendary folk musician Tommy Makem has died in New Hampshire at the age of 74
- Six One News: Flor McCarthy reports that Tommy Makem died at his home in New Hampshire, he had suffered with lung cancer
- Six One News: Brian Walsh speaks to Liam Clancy who was in the Clancy Brothers with the Co Armagh-born folk singer
- One News: Flor MacCarthy reports on the death of the acclaimed folk musician and singer Tommy Makem, who was 74
- Morning Ireland: Peter Makem talks about his uncle who has died from cancer at his home in the US at the age of 74
- Morning Ireland: Liam Clancy, musician, says Tommy Makem was a man of high integrity and courage
- Morning Ireland: Nicholas Carolan, Traditional Music Archives, discusses how The Clancy Bros & Tommy Makem helped make folk music popular
- News At One: Joan O'Sullivan reports that Tommy Makem who sang with the Clancy Brothers died in his home in New Hampshire
