Limerick singer-songwriter Gearoid McCarthy's emotional tribute to father goes viral
Limerick singer-songwriter Gearoid McCarthy.
Limerick singer-songwriter Gearoid McCarthy has paid an emotional tribute to his father, who passed away recently while McCarthy was touring in Newfoundland.
Sharing the news that he had found out that his dad Thomas was unwell while touring in Newfoundland in Canada, McCarthy put a call out on social media asking if anyone could help him get back to Ireland as soon as possible.
After receiving the news from home, McCarthy was scheduled to leave Newfoundland on March 18 after a St Patrick’s Day gig in Broderick’s Irish pub on March 17.
In an attempt to get home sooner to be with his father, McCarthy made the plea on social media, saying he would “pay whatever” if anyone knew anyone with a private plane.
“I’ve just got a phone call that nobody wants to get when they’re on tour. My dad is not well. So, if anybody in Newfoundland knows anybody with a private plane, I’m happy to pay whatever. We’re playing a gig in Broderick’s tonight and I need to get home as soon as possible after that,” he said.
“Right now, we’re scheduled to leave tomorrow in the middle of the day and get back to Ireland on Wednesday morning but I’d like to get back there sooner if I could, so if anybody knows any way or anything to get to Ireland as fast as possible, please let me know. Thank you.”
However, on St Patrick’s Day, McCarthy found out that his father had passed away and pledged to still play the gig at Broderick’s in his memory.
McCarthy sang emotional renditions of Finbar Furey’s and Ron Hynes’ to a crowd of supportive fans on March 17.
The performances, uploaded to social media, received a myriad of praise from fans and social media users alike, who described McCarthy as someone with “so much strength” for still taking to the stage despite the news of his father’s passing.
The comments sections were full of praise for McCarthy, with people sharing their condolences and saying how proud his dad would be.
During his performance of , McCarthy addressed the crowd, saying: “Before we finish this song, lots of things happen in families. It’s all bullshit, the only thing that’s important is that they’re with you.”
McCarthy has since landed back in Ireland, uploading a video to social media earlier today where he thanked everyone for their support.
He was brought to tears while thanking everybody in Newfoundland for the respect they showed his father.
“Thank you for giving my father such a send-off in Newfoundland. We’re going to do the same for him here now in Ireland and if you’re a musician and you’re coming to my dad’s funeral, do not come empty-handed. Bring your instrument. He loved music and we’re going to have a big concert for him. Thank you all so much,” he said.
Thomas McCarthy will be laid to rest at Mount Pleasant family grave following requiem mass at St Senan’s Church in Foynes at 12pm on Friday. The mass will be live-streamed here.
McCarthy was touring in Newfoundland as part of a wider tour which also saw him perform Vicar Street in Dublin earlier this month, following the release of the full studio version of his viral hit back in 2024.
