TOM
ARMSTRONG (1903-1970) UILLEANN PIPER & FIDDLE
PLAYER
Tom Armstrong ,
uilleann piper and fiddle player, was
a native of Annagh, in the parish of Drumboylan, near Carrick-on-Shannon
in North Roscommon. He was born on 19th October, 1903, into a
farming family. He learned his fiddle playing locally. In his
young days he worked on the family farm. At the age of 21 he joined
the Garda Siochana. His first posting was in Oranmore, in the
Galway West Division, where he spent 4 years. Except for a short
period in Clonroche, Co. Wexford, he served most of his career
in Co. Kildare, where he came into contact with Liam O'Flynn,
a fiddle player and local schoolteacher, and they became firm
friends through their mutual interest in traditional music. They
played a lot of music together over the years.
He learned to play the uilleann pipes from Leo Rowsome and he
followed the Rowsome style of playing. His first set of pipes
was a Coyne set. He never learned to read or write music but he
had a very keen ear, and he could pick up a tune on hearing it
a few times. He had a great influence on Liam O'Flynn's son, the
famous Liam Og O'Flynn. Liam Og was about 8 years of age when
he first met Tom Armstrong, and he was immediately fascinated
by Tom's pipes and his ability to play. From then on, Liam Og
had great admiration for Tom and his music.
Tom was also a great friend of the famous travelling piper, Johnny
Doran . Another great friend was an excellent piper, Scan O'Leary,
from Staplestown, Timahoe, Co. Kildare. Tom was a shy player who
never sought the limelight. He never made any commercial recordings,
he never took part in music competitions and he didn't care much
for public performances. His favourite pastime was a session in
a private house with his musical friends.
He was very active in the GAA while he was stationed in Leixlip.
He played football and hurling with local teams at club level.
He also played for Co. Kildare in 1931 when they were beaten by
Galway in the All-Ireland football final. He had a total of two
County and two Leinster Senior football medals.
Tom Armstrong retired from the Gardai in September, 1965, after
a career of 41 years and 124 days of exemplary service. He died
on 5th August, 1970. He was held in high esteem by his friends
and musical colleagues who regarded him as a great friend, a true
gentleman and a fine musician.
