Thomas McCarthy

Singer of the Year TG4 Gradam Cheoil 2019.

One of the most exciting and moving voices singing today, you would stand in the snow to listen to Thomas sing. Thomas comes from a well-known musical Irish Traveller family who kept the tradition of singing strong. He is the grandson of a renowned seanachie and grew up surrounded by the singing of his late mother, her father and aunts and uncles. McCarthy is also a passionate activist on behalf of his people and is an ambassador for traveller singing and traveller song.
Thomas has a unique ability to connect with his audience and is described by Gradam Cheoil as captivating “This singer has a voice of great strength, tone, character and beauty.

His technique is a joy to listen to. His art is particularly illustrative of the power of storytelling through song, beyond simply singing the song. His style of presentation, of narrative and history before and around the song, is captivating. He has a unique ability to connect with his audience. On top of that, he carries with him that distinctive style of singing – a movement in the longer notes – known as ‘the warble’.