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Folk musician Tommy Maken dies after long cancer battle

Thursday, 2 August 2007

The acclaimed folk musician Tommy Makem has died in the United States at the age of 74.

The south Armagh native, who was born and raised in Keady, is credited with starting the boom in Irish folk music in the 1960s.

He worked frequently with The Clancy Brothers and Liam Clancy in particular, but also enjoyed a solo career.

Makem is best known for songs like The Four Green Fields, Red is the Rose and Gentle Annie.

The 74-year-old, who had been suffering from lung cancer, passed away at his home in Dover, New Hampshire, last night.

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