Tributes come from all four country roads...
‘A down-to-earth gentleman’
FANS from across the country honoured the king of Irish country, Big Tom McBride, as he was waked in his home county yesterday.
The drizzling rain didn’t stop people from queuing outside the community centre in Oram, Co. Monaghan to pay tribute to a ‘humble’ and ‘down-toearth’ gentleman.
The line of dedicated fans snaked around the community centre just outside Castleblayney to bid farewell to the Monaghan star who lay reposed yesterday with his trusty guitar beside his coffin.
A large painting from ceiling to floor of the much-loved singer hung on the wall, with framed pictures of him with his wife Rose, who died just a few months ago, and his family, placed around his coffin. The family pictures were illuminated by flickering candles.
As people gathered outside, they reminisced about the singer who had played such a big role in their lives, from finding love in dance halls, to his time entertaining Irish emigrants in London.
Phyllis and Noel McGinnity, from Clontibret, Co. Monaghan, met at a Big Tom concert in a dance hall in 1966 and have now been married for 50 years.
Mrs McGinnity said: ‘I met Noel at a Big Tom show in the Embassy ballroom in Castleblayney 52 years ago. I was a teen and he was in his 20s and we both loved Big Tom.
‘He asked me to dance and on July 17 this year, we will be 50 years married.’
Padraig Burke travelled from Clarinbridge, Co. Galway to bid a final farewell to his hero and spoke about how the singer had welcomed him into his home last year for a cup of tea.
Mr Burke said: ‘I met Tom and his wife Rose at a concert and she said that I could call to visit them in their home – she said to visit when he turned 80, so that is what I did.
‘There were no electric gates or anything like that; I just knocked on their back door and Tom was sitting at the table and he brought me in for a cup of tea. I got a great welcome; he was just so humble, kind and down-to-earth.’
Mark Neely and his three-yearold daughter Maria were among the constant stream of fans arriving at the community hall to pay tribute to Big Tom. Mr Neely, who travelled from Letterkenny, Co. Donegal with his family, said: ‘I am a massive fan.
‘My father passed away a few years ago, but I have lovely memories of listening to Big Tom with him. He had such a great way with people and made a genuine connection with everyone he met.’
Irish country music star Derek Ryan, who was there to bid a final farewell to his hero, told how he influenced his musical career.
He said: ‘I have been singing his songs since I was five and, when I was 12, myself and my brother got to support him in Leighlinbridge, Co. Carlow and it was a dream come true.
‘I am here as a massive fan to pay my respects.
‘When we perform we play a medley of Big Tom’s songs, such as Four Country Roads, and the young people love it. His music will last forever.’
Family friend Eileen Kerr told how the musician worked tirelessly to support charities.
She said: ‘We have been friends forever with Tom and Rose. He was always so supportive and generous over the years when it came to helping charities.
‘I played golf with Rose and travelled extensively with her.
‘Tom and Rose were a lovely, dedicated couple.
‘And Tom touched so many people with his music. He was a legend.’
The much-loved country singer lay in repose yesterday at the community centre up to 8pm and, after saying their last goodbyes, people gathered upstairs and shared more memories about the musician over steaming cups of tea and biscuits.
Mick Morrissey, from Clonbullogue, Co. Offaly, who was wearing a T-shirt proclaiming him the legendary singer’s number one fan, said: ‘I travelled to a Big Tom show in Cootehill, Co. Cavan back in 1986 on a Honda 50 – it took me four and a half hours to get there, but it was worth it.’
The funeral Mass is due to take place at 11am tomorrow in St Patrick’s Church in Castleblayney.