TV3 Tommy Makem Interview

29th April 2002 Tommy Makem was once a member of the world famous 'Clancy Brothers,' then went on to even more success as one half of 'Makem & Clancy.' He is credited with having expanded the boundaries of Irish folk culture.

[@martinwalsh3228]

Great interview 20 years later.

[@derrickmurphy6040]

Ah ya couldn't help but love him.Great man sadly missed.

[@mcglobulon]

Tommy and Mary lived and raised their family here in my hometown and man i miss running into him in the bookstore.

[@edejan]

I'd followed his career since I was a little child. He gave me a lifelong love of Irish music. I hadn't seen this interview before. Thank you. It's wonderful to see the great man telling stories and charming everyone.

[@patrickenright6094]

Seems to me (from this short clip) that he possesses all the characteristics most men would want out of life.

[@jimkeappock7558]

Have followed his career with the Clancy Brothers, for as long as I can remember. I was fortunate to have met with Tommy and Liam, at the Irish Pavillon on East 57 St in NYC. RIP TOMMY, LIAM, TOMMY, PADDY 🌹☘️ Still listening to your music!!

[@gerardodwyer9693]

I like that interview with Tommy makes from the Clancy Brothers he died from lung cancer he was the best singer poeat and the best song writer

[@andrewmunro44]

What a humble and Smart Man!

[@pauljohnson2473]

Wonderful interview, and extraordinary man

[@jamescoughlan8193]

RIP Tommy such a great entertainer. so many fond memories of his music.

[@carthageflaherty6247]

what a lovely gentelman, i love him singing gone way to soon RIP XXX

[@patrickohare1681]

The late and the great ,🙏🏻🇮🇪

[@irishelk3]

Great character

[@gerrywalsh7677]

Great interview. Loved him.

[@Chesterton7]

The best.

[@JohnHutchinson2013]

great talent!

[@jimmymalone9139]

FIOR LAOCH TOMAS

[@michaeldineen8324]

Tommy Makem,s songs are badly needed these days. I wonder will any group come along, and do what The Clancy,s and Tommy Makem did.? it is harder for this type of music to get publicity these days, because the industry has changed in such a big way. I hope that this music will be remembered.

[@MookiePlays]

I grew up with it and I'm only 21 so It's definitely not dead these days although it's obviously not as popular, I do agree though that these songs are folk classics and should never die out and I highly doubt they ever will because there'll always be an interest in Folk music, especially because the songs are engraved in Irish history

[@michaeldineen8324]

It is great, to hear of a young person who is interested in Ireland's ballad tradition. Maybe it proves there are still people who want to hear what was handed down. In fact let me be blunt and say, Ireland produced something better than boy bands, and U2. Ballads and rebel songs are still recorded, so there will be some modern evidence of Irish history, and our native songs.

[@MookiePlays]

Michael Dineen Michael, I see on your page you also like some of the lesser known singers like Gerry Guthrie, I myself was born in County Westmeath but I moved to Texas this year but I do know of those country singers as I'm from the Midlands, I particularly like Derek Ryan, Mike Denver etc. and the classic folk bands like The Dubliners, Wolfe Tones, Clancy Brothers etc.

[@michaeldineen8324]

Mookie I'm not into modern day, Irish country music. You are mistaken on that view. I feel that these singers, don't have respect for our native songs. I hope the demand for Irish country music, won't spell the end of our native songs.

[@MookiePlays]

Michael Dineen Ah I can understand that, the same could honestly be said about modern American country as well. I myself have a strong interest in the Irish language and hope to see an increase in usage in the future, my wife is from here in Texas and even she's picking up a few Irish words from me and especially some of the older folk songs. How do you feel about Christy Moore?

[@kevinboyle3927]

There will NEVER be another!!

[@johnsparling6064]

The best as simple that is wo

[@tungstenkid2271]

Amazingly the Clancys and Tommy were almost unheard of here in England, more's the pity. Maybe it's because they spent so much time in America?

[@leifarvidsson4867]

Could it be because they were irish?

[@tungstenkid2271]

Leif Arvidsson - I don't know if the Clancys and Tommy M didn't like the English. If they didn't like us, they missed out on making big money in England like The Fureys, Chieftains and Dubliners did. In fact the Dubliners took the English charts by storm with Ronnie Drew belting out 'Seven Drunken Nights', everybody in England couldn't stop humming it for weeks..:)

[@leifarvidsson4867]

Well im not Irish nor English but what I've heard of the Clancy's they sung a lot of patriotic songs. So I just asked if it could have something to do with that. But of course it could have been a large marked in the US for Irish songs.

[@gondarman]

Tungsten Kid Oh no they weren't! I lived in England in the 60s and the Clancys (and Tommy) together with the Dubliners were big stuff then! I recall seeing them all at the Fairfield Halls in Croydon.

[@tungstenkid2271]

Arthur Jacobs - I was born in Leicester over 60 years ago and have lived in England all my life, and the first time I heard of the Clancys and TM was when I accidentally discovered them on youtube last year..:)

[@tungstenkid2271]

Incidentally, something that's always puzzled me about the catholic Irish is why on earth they let themselves be bossed about by a bloke in Rome?

[@ailsamcinroy2262]

Go do some research.

[@geraldneary1948]

Troll.

[@pottypranks8628]

You're filth