In memory of Tom O'Neill

In a year of sad passings, with a heavy heart we must add another well known & loved figure to the list. Tom O'Neill, owner of one of the best known session pubs in Ireland, will now be pulling pints for the likes of Tommy Peoples, Liam O'Flynn & Alec Finn at that great session above.

On Friday the 23rd of November 2018 our good friend Tom O'Neill was laid to rest by the beautiful St. Patrick's Church, in Culfeightrin, in the Glens of Antrim.

Deepest condolences to his wife Eileen, son James and the family circle, as well as to Tom's very wide circle of friends."

i took the photos posted here during Irish Music Sessions in his pub, the House of McDonnell & they show Tom in his natural setting, in Ballycastle, Co. Antrim. This wonderful old pub, which has been in Tom's family since 1766 is actually where Tom was born & thanks to being largely unchanged over the years, it is now Grade A Listed & a great classic among Irish pubs. It is also one of the finest Irish Traditional Music session pubs in the country & with Tom & Eileen at the helm, you were always guaranteed a warm welcome from these perfect hosts. Tom's legendary Friday night session has certainly been the highlight of my week now since the early 1990s.

The music I'm playing here is a Traditional Irish Air, An Saighdiúir Tréigthe & my favourite from the classic album Skara Brae, & I'm playing it on my Hammered Dulcimer, an instrument synonymous with the Glens of Antrim, plus Fiddle, Concertina & Whistle.

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Permalink Reply by Dick Glasgow on November 25, 2018 at 10:43

From 1:35 in this video you see Tom, in his regular spot by the large mirror, enjoying the music at one of his regular Friday night sessions.

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Permalink Reply by Eoin McMichael on January 28, 2019 at 20:44

Thank you for posting this tribute to Tom O'Neill, Dick. No less than he deserved, of course. I have fantastic memories of performing in the pub most Friday nights in the early eighties. Tom always had words of wisdom when the crowd was clearing and we'd run out of tunes! Ballycastle has lost a true character. He was also cousin of mine so I was always felt at home in the House of Donnell.

Dick Glasgow said: