Large attendance expected at Big Tom's funeral

 

Fans and friends of Irish country music legend Tom McBride, who passed away on Tuesday last, will have an opportunity to pay their respects later today (Wednesday, April 18) at Oram Community Centre where his remains will be lying in repose.

The remains of 'Big Tom', as his known, will be lying in repose near Castleblayney town between 12 noon and 8pm.

Oram is on the R182, Newtownhamilton Road, north of Castleblayney. St Patrick's Church and the Community Centre are adjacent to each other.

Big Tom’s house meanwhile will remain strictly private.

The removal of the body of Big Tom will take place on Friday morning and Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11am at Saint Patrick’s Church, Oram, Castleblayney, followed by interment in the adjoining cemetery.

 

Tributes

Tributes have continued to flow in in respect of Big Tom since his passing, age 81, with former Minister for Arts, Heather Humphreys extending sympathies to family of the man known as the 'King of Country'.

“Big Tom was one of Monaghan’s most famous sons and a true country music legend. His fantastic career spanned more than 50 years and, in June 2016, he was the first person ever inducted into Ireland’s Country Music Hall of Fame.”

She added: “Big Tom was synonymous with Monaghan and he held a very special place in people’s hearts in his native Oram and right across our county. It is fitting that the Carrickmacross-Castleblayney Municipal District are currently building a statue in Big Tom's honour. This will be a fitting tribute and there is absolutely no doubt that Big Tom’s music and memory will live on forever.”

Fianna Fail's Brendan Smith meanwhile spoke of his Big Toms love of community.

“I often enjoyed good and humorous chats with him, be it in St Tiarnach’s Park in Clones, Breffni Park or Croke Park, as he was a great supporter of Monaghan GAA. I know that along with his late wife, Rose, he gave selflessly to local community and voluntary endeavours in his home area of Oram and indeed much further afield.”

Sinn Féin MEP Matt Carthy also expressed his sadness at news of Big Tom's death.
“Big Tom was Monaghan's most loved son and a great ambassador for the county. In many respects he invented the ‘Country and Irish’ genre. A major figure in Irish Country music for over 50 years, Big Tom was hugely popular, not just in Ireland but among the Irish diaspora, especially among Irish emigrants in Britain.
He added: “He will be sadly missed by people across all generations and especially by people from Monaghan who have always been proud of our association with him.”

Finally, Fine Gael Senator for Cavan and Monaghan, Joe O’Reilly extended his sympathies to the family and friends of Big Tom, having spoke in Seanad Éireann about the positive impact Big Tom had for many people through his music.

“Big Tom brought people together when he performed, and his music often connected with people who had emigrated to other countries across the world. I was pleased to have met Big Tom on a number of occasions, and he most certainly was an absolute gentleman, and always down-to-earth.
“Through his music, Big Tom brought joy through his performances to many people and into many communities in bleak times. Big Tom truly was the Gentle Giant from Castleblaney.”