Tom Carroll Celebrated

By Pat Fleming, Sliabh Luachra Musician

Tom Carroll is another in the extensive list of Sliabh Luachra’s music legends.

He was born in 1923 in Milleen, Rockchapel. Like many, he came from a musical family, with a father that played concertina and his siblings, Seamus and Nonie played fiddle and accordion respectfully.

On Sunday nights, they would learn from Daniel Hartnett, another legend, known well as the best fiddle player in the area. Daniel had a share of unique tunes that Tom learned and carried on through the years.

Eventually, he left Milleen and moved to Kiskeam, where he met and married Elizabeth O’Keeffe. They raised a family of 9 in a house once occupied by another fiddle legend, John Linehan. A share of his descendants as well as a number of local kids learned the fiddle from him.

Over the years, he played all over Sliabh Luachra and at an Eisteddfod in Wales. He played with John Sheahan and Dan O’Keeffe for Crossroads Dancing at Lamanaugh Cross outside Boherbue and played with the Araglin Ceili Band for 10 years. He was also well known as a local at Scully’s Monday Sessions.

I was lucky enough to meet Tom and play with him on several occasions. Between all of this, Tom was the local postman for 25 years.

In 2015, he passed away at the age of 91, and he is missed dearly within the local community and in the music scene.

Photos from Sliabh Luachra Music Masters by Dan Herlihy.

Timmy O’Connor, Marie Forrest, Bridget Fox, Tom Carroll, and friends at presentation at Bru Na Carraige, Rockchapel, Co. Cork

Tom joins Shane, Mairead, and Adrian for a session at home.