BY ADRIAN MULLAN

IRISH folk and traditional songwriting legend Tommy Makem was laid to rest today in his adopted home of New Hampshire in the United States. Makem, along with the Clancy Brothers, brought traditional Irish songs to an audience of millions in the 1960s and was influential amongst other songwriting giants, such as Bob Dylan.

What is perhaps less well known is that he was also uncle to a prominent Omagh musical family, the Sweeney's of Gallows Hill and Strule Park. Indeed Tommy's nephew, protege and friend, Tom Sweeny and his wife Francis, flew to New Hampshire to be there for the funeral.

Speaking to the UlsterHerald, Tom Sweeney reflected on his relationship with Tommy Makem.

Tommy was the brother of Tom's mum, Mona, and along with his grandmother, they grounded him in the knowledge of Irish song and culture.

Makem died last week at the age of 74 after battling cancer for some time, and his death came as a blow to all who knew him.

Tom recalls, "When Tommy went to America in the 50s he would send us home records. He was there for the big 60s folk revival and he'd been a huge influence on people like Dylan, for example. He brought the songs that people in Ireland were singing in their kitchens to the world and he played almost every major venue in the world from Carnegie Hall to the Albert Hall."

Tom recalls that the first time he went to the U.S. at the age of 16 along with his brother Jimmy, Tommy got them a series of gigs in four or five different towns in Massachusetts.

"Jimmy and I went on to play all over the States and Canada for the next 20 years."

Tom also gigged with Maken at numerous times in practically every state of the Union not to mention in Europe and Britain.

"Tommy and I were very close friends. Both he and I had a very deep understanding of what we liked. I admired him greatly and I think he admired me also. His mother was one of the 'Singing Greens' of Keady and he was the last of that family.

"I'm happy to say that the songs that Tommy, my mother and grandmother gave us are safe with me and Jimmy, and with Tommy's own children."

In a matter of days Tom will join Tommy's sons, Shane, Rory, and Connor and his daughter Katie on stage at the world's largest Irish music festival in Milwaukee, where they will play a tribute to Tommy.