Sean McCarthy (songwriter)

Sean McCarthy (1923–1990), a native of Finuge, County Kerry, Ireland, was an Irish songwriter. He was born one of 10 children, on 5 July 1923. He penned some of Ireland's favourite ballads including "Step It Out Mary", "Shanagolden", "Red Haired Mary" "In Shame Love, In Shame" and "Highland Paddy". In 1973 a collection of his songs was published in Listowel, Co. Kerry.[1]

For other people named Sean McCarthy, see Sean McCarthy (disambiguation).
Sean McCarthy statue in Finuge, Ireland

"Poet, author, folklorist and traditional music aficionado" Mattie Lennon has written a play about the life and works of Sean McCarthy entitled "And All his Songs Were Sad".[2] It was produced by the Pantagleize Theatre Company in Fort Worth, Texas October 2010. It received a poor local review.[3]

A festival in honour of McCarthy is held every August in his home village of Finuge, County Kerry.[4] The festival includes ballad and story writing competitions. Finuge has one of the oldest surviving authentic thatched cottages in Ireland and this house, Sheahan's Thatched Cottage is owned by the Festival Committee.[5]

Discography
  • The Wandering Man, EMI, ISRMCD 009, 2002

References
  1. Sean, McCarthy (1973). The Songs of Sean McCarthy. Listowel, Co.Kerry: Donal O'Sullivan Castle Printing.
  2. "ScriptCircle: And All his Songs Were Sad by (theatre play script)". www.scriptcircle.co.uk.
  3. Noteboom, Kris (18 September 2010). "Review: And All His Songs Were Sad | Pantagleize Theatre Company | Fort Worth Public Market Complex". TheaterJones.com.
  4. "Sean McCarthy Memorial Weekend". Retrieved 14 January 2017.
  5. "Sheahan's Thatched Cottage". Retrieved 14 January 2017.


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