Timmy McCarthy

Timmy McCarthy was born in London to Irish parents in the mid-1940s. As a boy he travelled back and forth to Cork on the cattle boats. His father worked for British Rail. When his parents died he went into care and at school developed a keen interest in history. In 1961 he followed a friend into the Royal Air Force and served in Germany before leaving in 1966, when he returned to his native land of Cork.

Timmy found no traditional music in Cork on his return, just show bands. He set about trying to establish a folk club and began teaching dancing. He also learnt the accordion to play for the dances as he found local musicians got bored with all the ‘stopping and starting’! He’s always been a much- loved, funny and engaging character – and a wonderful teacher, as all those who have been to his packed classes in Cork City will testify. No keen dancer should miss the opportunity to meet Timmy ‘the Brit’ McCarthy.