Wed Sept 30th 2026 – Tom Lewis Sea Shanty

Venue: King House, Boyle
Date: Wednesday September 30th
Time: 2pm
Ticket Price: €5 Cultural Companions Programme
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Born in Northern Ireland, Tom’s Celtic heritage is obvious in his clear, strong voice, evoking quiet sorrow for a fisherman lost to the sea just as honestly as it powers out a shanty “to be heard above the gales.”

Tom’s repertoire—from traditional shanties to songs fashioned out of his own seafaring background—recruits his audience for a voyage by turns reflective, dramatic and humorous.

With songs that have become folk standards; known and sung wherever great choruses ring out; Tom accompanies himself on button accordion and ukulele—but it’s that powerful vocal style and infectious humour—that quality of entertaining—which keeps audiences coming back again … and again.

As winner of the inaugural “Trophée Stan Hugill”, French fans dub Tom “The Springsteen of Sea Chanteys”. Old Songs Festival (Altamont NY) declares “This man knows the sea … from the bottom up!”, whilst Living Tradition (UK) says “Although I always knew he was good, I was not quite prepared for HOW good.” 24 years in the British Royal Navy, “provides him with that vitally authentic stance with which to tackle nautical song” Living Tradition.