Richard Toomey Irish music collection

Collection

Identifier: BC-2024-013

Staff Only

Dates

Creation: 1950s-1970s, 2008, 2012

Scope and Contents

Collection contains handwritten musical notation prepared for Richard Toomey by his accordion instructors Jerry O'Brien and Billy Caples; a single flier for a performance by Hogan's Goat, a band in which Toomey played; and several portraits by Toomey. The portraits depict Irish musicians Joe Derrane (Playing Hornpipes, pen and ink), Mairead Doherty (The Harpist, watercolor), and Jimmy Hogan (The Whistle Player, charcoal).

Creator

Toomey, Richard (Person)
O'Brien, Jerry, 1899-1968 (Person)
Caples, Billy (William T.), 1928-1986 (Person)

Restrictions on Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

These materials are made available for use in research, teaching and private study, pursuant to U.S. Copyright Law. The user must assume full responsibility for any use of the materials, including but not limited to, infringement of copyright and publication rights of reproduced materials. Any materials used for academic research or otherwise should be fully credited with the source. The original authors may retain copyright to the materials.

Biographical note: Richard Toomey

Richard "Skip" Toomey, born in South Boston, Massachusetts, earned his BA from Boston State College (merged with the University of Massachusetts Boston, 1982) in 1972. He also studied at the Museum School at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, and earned his MFA from Tufts University. Toomey taught Art and English in the Scituate Public Schools for 37 years, worked seasonally as a commercial lobsterman for 17 years, and played Irish music several times a week in the Boston area. Toomey also performed for over 40 years in ballad groups. After joining his first one, The Last Hurrah, he went on to co-found various bands including Curragh's Fancy, The Irish Volunteers, Hogan's Goat, and Geese in the Bog.

Sources:

Chalkdust, Volumes 15-16, Boston State College. https://archive.org/stream/chalkdustvolumes00stat_1/chalkdustvolumes00stat_1_djvu.txt (Accessed May 28, 2024).

Richard Toomey Fine Art. https://skiptoomeyartwork.com/about/ (Accessed May 28, 2024).

Extent

6.25 Linear Feet (4 containers)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Collection documents the life and career of Boston-area musician and artist Richard "Skip" Toomey through annotated musical manuscripts, drawings, and a watercolor.

Arrangement

Chronological.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Gift of Richard Toomey, 2008, 2024.

Purchased from Richard Toomey, 2008.

Related Materials

James W. Smith Irish music recordings, IM-M016-1991, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Joe Derrane Irish music materials, IM.M208.2017, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Joe Lamont Irish music recordings, IM.M145.2005, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

Paul C. Haley collection of Jerry O'Brien music manuscripts, BC.2024.028, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.

T. Jeffrey Sullivan collection of Tommy Sullivan and Joe Derrane, IM.M176.2009, John J. Burns Library, Boston College.