Johnny Tom Gleeson facts for kids

Johnny Tom Gleeson (1853–1924) was a talented Irish poet and songwriter. He was famous for writing popular songs and poems. One of his best-known songs was "The Bould Thady Quill". This song made fun of someone who wasn't good at sports. He also wrote "The Battle Ship Sinn Féin," which was about his love for his country, and "The Wild Bar-A-Boo," which joked about a famous fox hunt in County Cork. Johnny Tom wrote many other poems too, often making light-hearted fun of his friends and neighbors.

About Johnny Tom Gleeson

His Early Life and Family

Johnny Tom Gleeson was born on July 26, 1853, in Rylane, County Cork. His father, Thomas Gleeson, was a farmer. His mother, Mary Golden, was also a poet and a very smart woman. This meant Johnny Tom had a special gift for poetry from both sides of his family!

His mother, Mary, was related to some important people. She was the aunt of Peter Golden, who was a famous writer, actor, and poet from Cork. Mary was also related to Terence MacSwiney, who was a well-known Lord-Mayor of Cork.

When Johnny Tom was young, he wasn't very interested in sports or farming. He preferred reading, playing music, and spending time with people. He grew up to be a tall, handsome man with light brown hair and brown eyes.

Trying New Things

When he was 17, Johnny Tom became the main man in his family's home. This was a big responsibility, but farming wasn't really his passion. He even tried going to a seminary to become a priest, like his brother. But it seems the strict rules weren't for him, and he returned to the farm.

Johnny Tom tried to manage the farm for a while. Later, he hired people to help him. But as he got older, he didn't pay much attention to the farm at all. People even called his farm the "Wild West" because it was so neglected!

His Amazing Talents

It was clear that Johnny Tom's real talents were not in farming. He could write poems very quickly, almost as fast as he could talk! He was also a wonderful musician. He played both the accordion and the flute. He had a lovely singing voice too, and was especially known for his "lilting" or "dideling." This is a fast, wordless singing style that sounds like "di-diddle-dee-dee."

Because of his musical and poetic skills, Johnny Tom was very popular at local parties and gatherings. He would play music and sing for everyone. Many of his poems and songs were about real people and events, often in a funny way. He never wrote about romance or love. Johnny Tom never married.

His Unique Personality

Johnny Tom was a quiet and gentle person, but he had his own unique ways. He always carried a hook-shaped knife called a bill-hook. He used it for many things, like shaving, cutting tobacco, and even cutting bread!

He kept all his food in a big iron pot. He would even turn the lid upside down and use it as a stool. In his later years, he often slept in his clothes. He was also always seen wearing a bowler hat.

His Final Years

About two months before he passed away, Johnny Tom's health was not good. He sold his farm and moved in with his neighbors, Paddy and Lena Corkery. They were related to him through his mother's family.

Paddy and Lena's daughter, Hanna Maria, helped care for Johnny Tom. He passed away on July 21, 1924, from heart failure. His very last words were to Hanna Maria, asking for a glass of water.

Johnny Tom Gleeson was buried in Aghabullogue graveyard. In 1970, a special plaque was placed near his grave to remember him and his wonderful poems and songs.