EMOTIONAL REVEAL: Fr. Brian D’Arcy’s Heartfelt Tribute to Big Tom on The Late Late Show
On The Late Late Show broadcast by RTÉ One, viewers were given a deeply moving reminder of the impact Big Tom McBride left behind, not only as a musician but as a cultural figure whose presence shaped the very soul of Irish country music. Among those who spoke was Fr. Brian D’Arcy, a close friend and confidant of Big Tom, who shared words that captured both the man and the legend.
Fr. D’Arcy reflected on Big Tom’s extraordinary gift for connecting with ordinary people. “Tom was never just about music,” he said. “He was about people. He had time for everyone — whether in a crowded dance hall or standing quietly on a roadside.” His tribute painted the picture of a man whose humility and warmth matched the strength of his voice, reminding the audience that Big Tom’s legacy was built as much on kindness as it was on song.
The segment was interwoven with clips of Big Tom’s greatest performances, each melody stirring memories for those who had danced, laughed, and grieved with his music. Fr. D’Arcy recalled traveling with Tom, witnessing firsthand the singer’s unwavering devotion to his fans and his community. “He carried Ireland in his heart,” he said, “and gave it back in his songs.”
For many, the words struck a chord as powerful as any performance. The studio fell into reflective silence, the audience visibly moved by the sincerity of the priest’s memories. It was not just nostalgia on display, but a testament to the enduring power of music to shape identity and community.
Big Tom’s death in 2018 left a void in Irish life, but tributes like Fr. D’Arcy’s show that his presence endures. The reverend emphasized that the songs still carry healing, still bring people together, and still remind listeners of simpler times and deeper values.
As the program drew to a close, viewers were left with the sense that Big Tom’s story is not one confined to the past, but a living thread woven into the fabric of Irish culture. Through his music and through the memories of those who knew him best, the King of Irish Country remains a guiding voice, one that continues to echo long after the final curtain.