Tommy Makem

My daughter Sue and I never missed a "Tommy" concert. She knew all the lyrics and would always sing along. Her funeral was Wednesday and today I had my private "Irish Wake" singing along with Tommy and all our favorite songs. I hope they are singing together in Heaven.

Sadly, I am now just enjoying the wonderful Tommy Makem. His enchanting voice is brought to me today, March 17, 2010, courtesy of the Irish Travel Board on Create TV of the Public Broadcasting network. Getting to know his music will be a thrilling endeavor for years to come. Although he is with God now, Tommy will live forever through Traditional Irish music played in the villages and cities throughout Ireland.

This will be the first entry of 2010.
I have long been an admirer of the music and work of Tommy Makem. I first saw him with the Clancy Brothers as they performed at the Civic Opera House in Chicago in April or May of 1968. At that concert Tommy sang Four Green Fields and I loved it.
Years later Tommy wrote a book and I purchased a copy of it at Irish Fest in Milwaukee and he autorgraphed it for me. I asked why he had not sung Four Green Fields and he said his voice was a bit bad the night before. He wanted to know how long I had been following him and I told him of the First time I heard him sing it. He grabed my hand at Shoke it warmly and firmly. He said "You have been following a long time." He said the first time he sang it was that night at the Civic Operal House in Chicago.
Tommy, Thanks for all the great concerts, thanks for your many stories and thanks for being such a great performer.
May your soul and the souls of all the faithful deprarted, through the mercy of God, rest in Peace.

I first heard Tommy Makem when I was ten years old and he was 27. I swore then I would marry him!!! Alas, it was not to be but I became a dedicated fan and a true student of Irish music and folklore from that time on. I'm sad to hear he's gone but he provided a unique and remarkable conduit to a world of beautiful, sad and brave music, and a wonderful and inspiring history and culture! And at a time when it was in danger of being lost forever! I remember reading as a young person that the Irish Gaelic was officially a "dead" language when the "last native speaker" had died. Tommy Makem was one of a few who were instrumental in reviving Irish cultural and linguistic pride!! Keep watch over us from Heaven, Tommy!!

For years i sat and intently listened while my greatgranny told me stories of her childhood growing up in keady and informed me of her 'partner in crime' Tommy Makem, her cousin and her best friend. It never twigged with me at such an early age who this 'Tommy' fella was. Now at 18 years old i am fully aware of his character and his presence in the world of irish music. When Tommy last visited Ireland a few weeks before his death, my greatgranny went for a meal in the Armagh city hotel where Tommy happened to be staying, she contemplated going over to him and saying hello, but he was swamped with a crowd of adoring fans so she decided not to. It was only when she learned of his death a few weeks later she was angry at herself for letting the moment pass. To this day she regrets not saying hello for the first time in years and goodbye for the very last time.

So Tommy heres a final farewell from Kay (Kathleen) O'Hanlon nee Donnelly and her greatdaughter Meghan Leonard. You did South Armagh proud...'Tommy Makem'-a name that will forever echo around the rolling green hills of South Ard Mhacha.

My thoughts and prayers are with the Makem Family.
May your memories bring you comfort and your hearts soon be filled with wonderful times together as you celebrate Tommy's life, a life well-lived.
May the Lord hold Tommy in the hollow of His hand.

I was involved with a war during 2007 and was brought to tears of Tommy Maken's death.
I know my father is with him in heaven because I can hear them singing "Four Green Fields". Tommy Makem's songs will live forever.

I know this is a little late, but I have recently become a fan, or fanatic of the musi of Tommy Makem. And though I will never have the pleasure of seeing and hearing you perform in life, there are thousand of memories for me to watch. I'm sure you're making heaven even more wonderful and musical.

Slan, oh great one,
Lynn Buse

During this 2008 Holiday Season, I set aside time to honor those who have gone before me to their eternal reward (my own father, 3 years before) and was happy to have found this Guest Book for Tommy Makem exant, thanks to Google.com.

I recall when I was first introduced to the music and magic of Irish Music back in 1977, when Cleveland's "Fagan's In the Flats" had Tommy and Liam Clancy's Irish tunes blasting on their jukebox: something struck a "chord" within me, and my deep-seated love for my Irish heritage and its music suddenly sprouted, and I have Tommy to thank for that!!

In 1978 or 1979, my friend Theresa Johnson and I saw Tommy and Liam perform at Lakewood Civic Auditorium. Our first Makem & Clancy concert, what a rapture to our young Irish souls! And, Theresa casually told me we would meet them backstage after the concert. ("What??!!!") As daring as she was, I was paranoid crazy of being kicked or escorted out for us even daring such a stunt... but Theresa prevailed & pulled us through! Not only that, Tommy and Liam kissed us lightly on the cheek AND both autographed their (new) "Makem & Clancy collection" LP I bought. I felt, as a young 23-year old, that I had gone to Irish Heaven!! What gracious and kind gentlemen Tommy and Liam were to us, and to a few others that somehow followed us behind stage, as well!

In the years that followed, so did my love and collection of Irish music - and now I have every tune on my iPod! :) Tommy's music has followed my life: played at my wedding in 2001, played at my dad's funeral in 2005, and will, of course, be played at my own someday. But over the years it has enlivened my housework, Christmas/Irish/pool parties at our home, jog-walks and vacations, plane rides, waiting in lines, and my car's cassette and CD players over these many years gone by, with memories too much to recall...

I thank God that my husband was able to meet Tommy with me after he sang and performed at his last Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival a few years ago. I had the distinct pleasure of telling him that he starred prominently in my FAVORITE Christmas movie, "A Time To Remember," to which he comically commented: "you know, my wife told me often that it was my WORST performance ever!!" In reality, a GREAT performance (IMHO), but who could NOT laugh along with him at that remark?? (If you have NOT seen this movie, please do! Tommy sings most of "Sing Me the Old Songs" in the movie!!!)

Now, after his passing, he is our loss and Heaven's gain. Tommy, until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand... Eternal rest grant unto Tommy, and let perpetual light shine upon him, and may he rest in peace, Amen!