Tommy Peoples facts for kids

Tommy Peoples, performing in September 2009

Tommy Peoples (born September 20, 1948 – died August 4, 2018) was a famous Irish fiddle player. He was known for his unique style of playing, which came from the Donegal region of Ireland.

About Tommy Peoples

His Life and Music

Tommy Peoples was born near St. Johnston, in County Donegal, Ireland. He grew up to become a very talented musician, especially known for playing the fiddle. His style of music was part of the East Donegal fiddle tradition.

In the 1960s, Tommy moved to Dublin. There, he worked as a Garda, which is a member of the Irish police force. Later, he moved to County Clare and married Mary Linnane. Mary's mother, Kitty Linnane, was a well-known leader of the Kilfenora Céilí Band.

Tommy was part of several traditional Irish music groups, including The Bothy Band. He also performed on his own starting in the late 1960s. His daughter, Siobhán Peoples, is also a talented fiddle player.

Tommy was the Traditional Musician In Residence at The Balor Arts Centre in Ballybofey, County Donegal. This meant he shared his musical knowledge there. In July 2015, he released his own book called Ó Am go hAm - From Time to Time. This book was special because it taught people how to play the fiddle using Tommy's methods. It also included music notes for 130 new tunes he created. The book also shared many stories from his life and music career. Tommy Peoples passed away on August 4, 2018, when he was 70 years old.

His Recordings

Tommy Peoples recorded many albums throughout his career. These recordings helped share his amazing fiddle playing with people all over the world.

With The Bothy Band

• The Bothy Band (1975)

Solo Albums

• An Exciting Session with One of Ireland's Leading Traditional Fiddlers (1976)
• The High Part of the Road (1976)
• A Traditional Experience with Tommy Peoples: A Master Irish Traditional Fiddle Player (1976)
• The Iron Man (1985)
• Fiddler's Fancy: Fifty Irish Fiddle Tunes Collected and Performed by the Irish Fiddle Legend (1986)
• Traditional Irish Music Played on the Fiddle (released in 1993, but recorded in 1982)
• The Quiet Glen/An Gleann Ciuin (1998)
• Waiting for a Call (2003)

Collaborations

• Matt Molloy . Paul Brady . Tommy Peoples (1977) (with Matt Molloy and Paul Brady)
• Welcome Here Kind Stranger (1978; remastered on CD in 2009) (with Paul Brady, Tommy played on four songs)