Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín

Subject: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: GUEST,Liberty Boy (sans cookie)
Date: 08 Sep 13 - 12:53 PM

So sorry to have to report the death today September 8th 2013 of ex member of The Press Gang and An Góilín stalwart Tom Crean. Tom passed away last night in his home after a short illness, born with his usual fortitude. He will be sadly missed by all at an Góilín and the Clé Club of which he was a founder member.

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 08 Sep 13 - 03:05 PM

A lovely man and a fine singer.

Regards.

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 05:12 AM

I'm very sorry to hear this. He was a most friendly and generous man. Anytime I met him, be it in Hughes' or the Góilín, or at events further afield, he was very welcoming and supportive. Unfortunately, it is unlikely that I will be able attend the funeral. I would be indebted if either of you, Martin or Jerry, would make my apologies and let me know the number of the house (I know the address in general) so I can write.

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 06:26 AM

John

Will do.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 06:51 AM

The Press Gang, of which Tom was a member, made one LP in 1975. Mostly English material, though with some Irish. Here they are singing Adieu Sweet Lovely Nancy:

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: GUEST,George Henderson
Date: 09 Sep 13 - 12:52 PM

Thanks for that link Martin. He will be sadly missed. Always good company when we were with Tom. The French people in Le Pouldu send their sympathies. He will be missed there too.

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 10 Sep 13 - 06:50 PM

Wonderful celebration of Tom's life at his funeral service today. Not everyone has Paul Brady to sing at his funeral Mass, a eulogy by Booker Prize winner John Banville and a supporting cast of many of the great and good of Irish traditional music and song... May he rest in Peace.

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 02:24 PM

Tom served his time as a gas fitter in Dublin in the days when they cycled around on orange-painted bicycles with their toolkit perched on the back carrier! Eventually became an important trade union official with one of the national unions.

His importance to music and singing is twofold. Firstly, he was involved in organising and running two of the earliest and most influential folk clubs in Ireland - The Neptune and The Tradition Club in Slattery's pub in Capel Street in Dublin. These had (IMHO) a seminal impact on the growth of interest in traditional music and song in urban Ireland - a fact reflected in the attendance at his funeral. Secondly, he was himself a fine (bass) singer with a group called The Press Gang in the '70's - they were the first to introduce unaccompanied harmony singing into the Irish tradition, really - playing John the Baptist to The Voice Squad's Christ! In later years, he was a familiar presence at festivals and sessions throughout Ireland and especially at his beloved Góilín club in Dublin. Incidentally, he had been able to visit the latter last Friday night...

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: GUEST,Mike O'Leary-Johns
Date: 11 Sep 13 - 09:23 PM

I did not know Tom very well but ........Sad News.
I only met him a couple of times.
As Martin said a really nice guy and fine singer.......Mike

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 12 Sep 13 - 11:27 AM

At a session in Kinvara last night, John Faulkner told me a story of being in the Tradition Club in Slattery's way back in the '70's, with Dolores Keane. The guests on the night were Dolores's wonderful aunts Sarah and Rita Keane who sang in an achingly beautiful unison. As they sang, a punter at the back of the bar was chatting away to a neighbour... Tom stood up, said to the aunts "Excuse me, ladies!" , then called out to the offender, in his best trade union official voice, - "You! Yes - you! Out! You can collect yer money at the door!". Then "Sorry, ladies. Please continue!".

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: MartinRyan
Date: 21 Sep 13 - 12:11 PM

Today's Irish Times has an obituary for Tom:

Click here

Regards

Subject: RE: Obit-Tom Crean, The Press Gang- Góilín
From: GUEST,Diva
Date: 02 Oct 13 - 08:04 AM

I was stunned to hear of Tom's passing when I was at the Frank Harte on Friday night. I had met him a few times and he was a gentleman and a fine singer.