Northern Ireland

Country music in mourning after death of Big Tom McBride

 Country music star Tom McBride has died
 Country music star Tom McBride has died  Country music star Tom McBride has died

ONE of the icons of Irish country music, Co Monaghan singer Tom McBride has died at the age of 81.

In a statement, his family said Mr McBride, fondly known as Big Tom, had "passed away peacefully".

They said he would "be sadly missed by all who knew him". 

Mr McBride had a career that spanned more than five decades. He was best known for the showband he formed in 1965, the Mainliners.

The band found success with songs such as Gentle Mother, Old Log Cabin For Sale, Broken Marriage Vows, The Sunset Years Of Life and Back To Castleblayney.

Daniel O'Donnell said that big Tom  was the pillar of country music, and with the recent passing of his wife Rose Daniel felt that he was probably heartbroken.

"We all referred to him as the King," O'Donnell told RTE Radio 1. "There’s people who have a presence and big Tom had it in abundance when he walked in somewhere".

O'Donnell talked about his memories of going to dances, hearing Four Country Roads in the late 1970s and early 1980s and seeing big Tom. "Country music is richer because of him, he has left so much behind", he said. Remembering  bigTom and his late wife Rose who died earlier this year, O'Donnell added: "there’s a great reunion in heaven today".

Philomena Begley spoke of how he'd light up a room. "He was a character in his own right... he’d light up a room because he was full of divilment too you know."

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said: His songs were a reflection of Irish life and an important connection for the Irish diaspora.



"Not many people are known by their first name, but that was Big Tom. It shows his popularity and legendary status as the king of Irish country music.



"I want to extend my condolences to his family and his huge army of fans."

President Michael D Higgins said: “As one of the most charismatic and influential artists in Irish country music, Big Tom was widely respected and through his five decades of music making he leaves a lasting legacy.

His name will be recalled with fond memory by those who listened, and danced to, his and his band members’ generous nights of entertainment all over the island of Ireland."