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Gerry Timlin - Bringing It All Back Home.

We were delighted to be joined by Gerry Timlin, on a visit home from America, where he has lived for more than 50 years.

This is a wonderful podcast as he recalls growing up in Coalisland, local characters, football with the Fianna and joining folk group The Jolly Tinkermen as a teenager after winning a major talent competition.

He recalls his beloved parents, and the devastating loss of his father Joe a barber, who passed on the trade to Gerry's brother Malachy who continued on Main Street for more than 60 years.

Gerry also remembers his team-mates on the winning U16 championship team of 1966 and the heartache his brother Niall and the senior team endured when defeated by Carrickmore in the 1969 county final.

Music was Gerry's great passion meeting local greats on stage, including the irrepressible Birdy Sweeney, before he made his way across the Atlantic.

A carpenter by trade, he eventually carved a full-time career in music. It wasn't easy, when home was so far away, long before the era of social media and texting.

Gerry found a whole new freedom getting off alcohol and now over 40 years sober, his enthusiasm for life is infectious.

He rubbed shoulders with Irish legends such as The Clancy Brothers, Finbar Furey and Paddy Reilly and performed in front of the American President.

These days, accompanied by his wife Lois, he brings tours of American visitors to sample the delights of Ireland, performs on luxury cruises and gets great joy from his daughters and grandchildren.

It's as if he was never away. A regular visitor to Coalisland, he likes to catch up with family and old friends.

A huge thank you to Gerry for joining the TwoMacs podcast and regaling us with a few songs. A fabulous performer!

* Further research has revealed that Coalisland NaFianna did play Brackaville in the first round of the 1970 O'Neill Cup, winning 3-7 to 0-8. Whether Malachy Timlin was marking his brother Niall, we don't know, as reports are scant.