Tommy Drennan
Thomas Drennan (1941 or 1942[1] – 11 July 2024) was an Irish singer.
Drennan was born in the Janesboro area of Limerick and was educated at Presentation Convent before moving to Limerick CBS. He was first introduced to singing when he joined the local church choir as an 11-year-old boy soprano. Drennan's 1953 rendition of O Holy Night brough him to prominence.[2] He later studied voice at the Royal Irish Academy of Music. During this time Drennan was first prize winner at the Feis Ceoil, appeared on several half-hour programmes of classical songs for Radio Éireann, and also appeared regularly on Ulster Television in Teatime With Tommy.[3]
Drennan toured as lead singer with The Freshmen before later becoming lead singer with the Limerick-based showband The Monarchas.[4] The band released several albums under the EMI label and had numerous hit singles which reached number one in the Irish Charts, including a 1972 version of O Holy Night which merged his original 1953 recording with a contemporary version. Drennan also reached the semi-finals of the 1968 National Contest.[5]
Drennan died at Milford Care Centre on 11 July 2024, at the age of 82 or 83.[6][7]
References
- ^ "Grandad Drennan on song as he enlists eight little helpers for CD". Irish Examiner. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "O Holy Night by Tommy Drennan and The Monarchs". Second Hand Songs. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Tommy: Monarch of all that he surveys". Limerick Leader. 4 September 1999. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "All about the Freshmen (1962-1980)". Irish Showbands website. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Irish Selection 1968: Tommy Drennan - "If You Love Me"". Eurovision World. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Limerick showband legend dies". Limerick Live. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ "Showband legend and Ennis music teacher Tommy Drennan dies". The Clare Herald. 11 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.