Tommy Moffit

Honored February 16, 2002.  R.I.P.

Tommy Moffit was born to Catherine McDonough and Michael Moffit on December 11, 1930 in Errisaune, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon.  The youngest of four children, Tommy had two sisters and one brother.  Tommy immigrated to the U.S.A. at the age of 16 with his sister Kathleen after the passing of their parents who died within three months of one another.  They came, initially, to Atlantic City to an Uncle Tom McDonough who was a very good accordian player sparking Tommy’s interest and he soon taught himself the instrument.  By 18, Tommy was out playing on his own.  Upon moving to Philadelphia, he played at all the basement and kitchen sessions around in the hallowed company of Ed Reavy Sr., Joe Vesey and Tomas Standeven who, sadly, passed away. 

Tom met his wife, the late Peggy (Harrington) Moffit at a ceili and they had three children.  For 15 years, Tommy was a fixture on Sunday nights at the Irish Center’s Fireside Room in Philadelphia.  Tommy has played locally at every group’s ceilithe, every Irish pub and every Irish festival and benefit.  He has been the emcee for the Philadelphia Ceili Group’s annual Traditional Music Festival for years and he has been an active and vocal supporter of CCE-Delaware Valley since its inception.  Folks in the Delaware Valley have enjoyed his weekly radio program aired on WTMR 800 AM every Sunday from noon to 1 PM and now you can hear it worldwide over the internet at www.irishradio.com.  Tommy is truly “Mr. Irish Music Man” of Philadelphia and a very worthy addition to the Hall of Fame in the Mid-Atlantic Region of CCE. 

– Marianne MacDonald