Arising from the Troubles
18 tracks
Tommy Sands
RTÉ Radio 1 Folk Awards · 2026
Tommy Sands to receive RTÉ Lifetime Achievement Award
Celebrating a lifetime of music, storytelling and bringing people together.
Tommy will be honoured at Vicar Street, Dublin, on 10 November, recognising his contribution to folk music as a singer, songwriter, broadcaster and voice for peace.
From The Sands Family to There Were Roses, his songs and stories have connected people across communities and generations.
Tommy’s autobiography · Direct from the author
The Songman
The life behind the songs.
From a musical childhood in County Down to a lifetime of songs, stories and encounters around the world. Discover Tommy’s journey in his own words.
£16plus postage
Make it personal. Ask Tommy to sign your copy or add a dedication, at no extra charge.
Choose your delivery country to see the full price before you pay. Tommy posts your book directly.
You’re very welcome.
Explore the songs, stories and shared journeys of Tommy Sands — from his County Down roots to a lifetime of music and bringing people together.
Every County on the Island Tour
Appearances
Birmingham
Nortons, Digbeth
London
Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith
Newcastle
Tyneside Irish Centre
Naul
Seamus Ennis Centre
Ennis
Glor
Armagh
Marketplace Theatre
Newry
Saval GAC
Letterkenny
Regional Cultural Centre
London
Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith
Manorhamilton
The Glens Centre
Kilkenny
Seanti Bar
Rush, Co. Dublin
Millbank Theatre
Birmingham
Nortons, Digbeth
London
Irish Cultural Centre, Hammersmith
Newcastle
Tyneside Irish Centre
Beyond a single song.
More than
a performance.
Ballad of a Songman. Arising from the Troubles. Educational programmes bringing music and dialogue to schools, libraries, museums and universities.
Explore the programmes ↗Thank you for the kind words
“…that difficult but wonderful balance between knowing and loving the traditions of his home and being concerned with the future of the whole world.”
“These songs have an airiness and heartsomeness about them that I find very attractive. … You feel you can trust the singer as well as the song.”
“His songs are poems as much as melodies, each one carefully imagined and constructed toward its message of peace and social equality.”
“…one of Ireland’s most successful and influential folk singer-songwriters…”
“Tommy Sands is a shot in the arm to folk music.”
“His fine mellow prose sparkles with humour and compassion.”
“Richly talented singer and songwriter…”
“the internationally-acclaimed folk singer and consummate storyteller”
“Sands is a true weaver of dreams and spells.”