Joseph Tomelty facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Tomelty
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| Born | 5 March 1911 Portaferry, County Down, Ireland
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| Died | 7 June 1995 (aged 84) Belfast, Northern Ireland
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| Occupation | Actor, playwright |
| Years active | 1947–1964 |
| Spouse(s) |
Lena Milligan
(m. 1942) |
| Children | 2, including Frances Tomelty |
| Family | Joe Sumner (grandson) |
Joseph Tomelty (born March 5, 1911 – died June 7, 1995) was a talented Irish actor and writer. He wrote plays, novels, and short stories. He also managed a theater. Joseph Tomelty worked in movies, on TV, in radio shows, and on stage. One of his most famous roles was in the 1960 play Over the Bridge by Sam Thompson.
Contents
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Joseph Tomelty was born in Portaferry, which is now in Northern Ireland, in 1911. His father, James Tomelty, was a skilled fiddler nicknamed "Rollicking." Growing up with music greatly influenced Joseph's writing. Many of his plays were even named after songs.
Joseph's brother, Peter Tomelty, was also a musician. He was a tenor singer who made recordings. Joseph Tomelty married Lena Milligan in 1942. They had two daughters together. Their daughter Frances Tomelty became an actress. She was also the first wife of the famous musician Sting. Their other daughter, Roma Tomelty, also became an actress.
Joseph Tomelty's Creative Works
Joseph Tomelty was a very busy writer. He created many different types of stories.
Plays for the Stage
Joseph Tomelty wrote many plays that were performed in theaters. Some of his plays were:
- Barnum Was Right (1939)
- Idolatry at Inishargie (1942)
- Poor Errand (1943)
- The Singing Bird (1948)
- Down the Heather Glen (1953)
- The Drunken Sailor (1954)
- Is the Priest at Home? (1954)
Novels and Books
Besides plays, Joseph Tomelty also wrote longer stories called novels. His novels include:
- Red Is the Port Light (1948)
- The Apprentice (1953)
Radio Shows
Joseph Tomelty also wrote for radio. One of his most popular radio shows was The McCooeys. Other radio works included:
- Barnum Is Right (1938)
- Elopement (1939)
Acting in Films
Joseph Tomelty acted in many movies throughout his career. Here are some of the films he appeared in:
- Odd Man Out (1947)
- Treasure Hunt (1952)
- The Sound Barrier (1952)
- Hobson's Choice (1954)
- Devil Girl from Mars (1954)
- Moby Dick (1956)
- A Night to Remember (1958)
- Hell Is a City (1960)
- Lancelot and Guinevere (1963)
The McCooeys Radio Show
Joseph Tomelty's radio show, The McCooeys, was about a family. It first aired on the BBC Home Service in Northern Ireland on May 14, 1949. For six years, it was the most popular radio program in the region.
Years later, in 2022, Joseph's daughter Roma and her husband Colin Carnegie helped bring the show back. Their theater company, Centre Stage, turned four episodes into a stage play. It was performed at the Grand Opera House Studio Theatre.
