Johnny Tom Gleeson

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Johnny Tom Gleeson (1853–1924) was an Irish poet and songwriter. He wrote the ballad The Bould Thady Quill around 1895, a humorous mock about a non-athlete, and two other well-known poems: The Battle Ship Sinn Féin (around 1905), his only patriotic piece, and The Wild Bar-A-Boo (around 1910), spoofing the Muskerry fox hunt that passed near his home in Rylane, County Cork. He also wrote many other verses, mostly satirical sketches of his neighbors.

John (“Johnny Tom”) Gleeson was born on July 26, 1853, in Rylane. His father, Thomas Gleeson, was a farmer, and his mother, Mary Golden, was a learned poet who came from a family with other famous Cork figures. Mary was the aunt of Peter Golden, a Cork author, actor, poet, and patriot, and she was related to Terence MacSwiney, the martyred Lord Mayor of Cork. Johnny Tom grew up with little interest in farming or sports, preferring reading, music, and socializing. He was about 5 feet 8 inches tall, broad-shouldered, handsome, with brown eyes and light brown hair.

As a young man, Johnny Tom briefly tried to follow his brother into the priesthood, but he returned to the family farm. He never married and, in midlife, half-heartedly managed the farm, eventually neglecting it and letting the cattle and house take care of themselves. The farm was known locally as the “Wild West.” He was also known for being tight-fisted with money, quick to borrow tools, and slow to repay them.

Music came naturally to him. He played the accordion and flute, had a pleasant tenor voice, and sang in a lilting, fast-paced style. He could set many of his poems to music, and his talents were in demand at local gatherings and set-dances in the valley below his uncle David Gleeson’s house. This valley lay on the route of the Muskerry fox chase, which Johnny Tom immortalized in The Wild Bar-A-Boo.

Johnny Tom was quiet and gentle, with a stubborn streak and many quirks. He carried a bill-hook (a curved knife) for various uses, kept his food in a large iron pot (which he also used as a stool when turned upside down), slept with his clothes on, and always wore a bowler hat.

Two months before his death, in poor health, he sold his farm and moved to live with his neighbors Paddy and Lena Corkery, who were related to the Golden family. The Corkerys’ daughter, Hanna Maria, and Lena cared for him. He died of heart failure on July 21, 1924, at their home. His last words were asking Hanna Maria for a glass of water.

A plaque marking Johnny Tom Gleeson’s grave was unveiled on August 16, 1970, near the wall outside South Kilmurry Church. He is buried in Aghabullogue graveyard.