One of Ireland's 'most treasured' trad singers returning to Birr
‘a culture which was recognised by the Irish State in 2017 as a distinct ethnic group with its own language, traditions and crafts’
Thomas McCarthy, who has been referred to as one of Ireland's “most treasured” traditional singers, is coming back to his hometown of Birr to give a much anticipated concert in the town's Theatre & Arts Centre.
Birr Traveller & Settled Community Group said it is delighted to be presenting a two week event called “Strong Voices, Strong Minds”, which will feature an evening of song, story and community featuring Thomas and his accompanying musicians Blackie O’Connell and Seánie McGrath, plus singers Rosie McCarthy and Trish Reilly.
The concert is free and it will take place in Birr Theatre on Saturday 12 September at 8pm.
Originally from Birr, Thomas learned many of his songs by ear from his mother, Mary McCarthy, who in turn learned many of her songs from a long line of singers before her. In 2019 Thomas was honoured as Traditional Singer of the Year at the Gradam Ceoil Awards and has been praised by broadcasters such as the BBC’s Mark Radcliffe, who said he was “the real deal.”
Thomas points out that Saturday's homecoming performance will celebrate the living heritage of the Irish Traveller community, “a culture which was recognised by the Irish State in 2017 as a distinct ethnic group with its own language, traditions and crafts.” The evening will highlight Traveller contributions to Ireland’s cultural life through song and story.
“Strong Voices, Strong Minds,” is a project centring on supporting wellbeing through song and storytelling in the Traveller Community. As part of it Thomas will be an artist in residence in Birr for 2 weeks. During that time he will meet with different people from the Traveller community and also facilitate events and workshops in schools and nursing homes. Thomas will also spend a day with the Offaly Traveller Movement in Tullamore, working with both adults and young people. In 2027 Strong Voices, Strong Minds will support members of the Traveller community to engage in song and music in collaboration with Music Generation.
Strong Voices, Strong Minds is managed by Birr Traveller & Settled Community Group and is funded by the Traveller Wellbeing Through Creativity programme and Offaly County Council. While admission to Saturday's concert is free, members of the public are encouraged to reserve places in advance.
Thomas says his family settled in Birr generations ago. “I come from a long line of old traditional singers and musicians who kept the tradition of singing strong.
“I've been working in schools for several years. I offer song and story sessions to children of all ages, which raises awareness of the traveller community. To be able to tell children the wonderful stories I learnt from our people, the travelling people, that my family passed down through the generations, is a joy. I find nothing more rewarding, than when a child asks me for a story, seeing their eyes light up at stories about fairies, hunchbacks, banshees, druids, Finn McCool and Cuchulain. These stories are too often forgotten, but are an important part of our heritage, kept alive by our ancestors. Stories are still so important, they can keep you grounded in a world where people have forgotten the art of communication and conversation and the kids are all on mobile phones and computers. These old stories are relevant to all people, adults and children, immaterial of ethnicity. These days I am based in West London but regularly go back home to Birr. I have travelled back and forth since I was a child. When I went to Ireland as a child I would stay with my uncles and aunts who all sang. I find great comfort in singing the old songs and in continuing my tradition which I am passing to my niece and nephew who are fine singers. I am confident that the tradition will continue.”