One of the pioneers of country music in Ireland, Tom Dunphy from Waterford, died in a road accident in Co Leitrim on 29 July 1975.

He was on his way to a dance show in Co Donegal when the accident took place near Drumsna-Jamestown. Tom was a singer with The Royal Showband, which featured Brendan Bowyer as the lead.

Plans are now in place to hold a special commemoration to mark the 40th anniversary of his death, in the Leitrim townland where the accident took place.

This has been arranged for Friday, 31 July, with mass on-site (weather permitting) at 7.30pm – otherwise, the mass will be celebrated in Annaduff Church.

A reception will be held afterwards in the Lough Allen Hotel in Drumshanbo.

Tom, who had a number one hit with If I Didn’t Have A Dime, recorded some great classics on his Tom Dunphy Country album, including Miller’s Cave, Apartment Number 9, Five Hundred Miles, Branded Man, Middle of Nowhere, Old Doc Brown and Mama Tried.

A voluntary committee, fronted by John Flynn, Des Shanley and Padraig Gilbride, has been working on the commemoration ceremony for some months.

“The Dunphy family, together with Brendan Bowyer and members of the Royal Showband, will be present on the evening. We intend to make this a fitting tribute to a man who was held in such special regard by so many people all over the country,” says John Flynn. CL

Sheerin Family closeS the doors for Moate launch

The Sheerins closed the doors at The Well in Moate last week, for the Tuesday night launch of Mary and Dan Sheerin’s album, Through The Years. No one has ever seen anything like it at the venue over the decades.

There can be no doubting the popularity of the Sheerin family in this region of the midlands, and patrons were treated to an amazing sight, which will probably never be seen on any stage in Ireland, or the world, again – 13 members of the same family singing and playing together.

Dan and Mary were joined by all 11 of their family members as they played and sang through a selection of country favourites, including the Merle Haggard classic, Daddy Frank.

The Well was buzzing as people looked on in amazement, cheering them on and cherishing a night that will become part of the folklore of the venue in times to come.

Joining Dan and Mary and the Sheerin Family Band as guests on the night were Nathan Carter, Johnny Brady, John Hogan, Matt Leavy, Lisa McHugh and Camillus Egerton.

But all of them will readily admit that the real stars of the night were Mary and Dan, who rolled back the years with a wonderful selection of country duets from their new album.

Songs like Before I Met You, Somewhere Between Your Heart and Mine, 4-0-33 and I Heard The Bluebird Sing brought the house down.

The respect and affection for them was absolutely palpable and it was great to see people turn out in such numbers to show their support, appreciation and, above all, respect for this very special family.