Joseph Tomelty

Joseph Tomelty (5 March 1911 – 7 June 1995) was an Irish actor, playwright, novelist, short-story writer and theatre manager. He worked in film, television, radio and on the stage, starring in Sam Thompson's 1960 play Over the Bridge. Life and career Born in Portaferry in 1911, he was the son of James Tomelty, a skilled fiddler who was nicknamed "Rollicking"; and the brother of Peter Tomelty, a tenor and recording artist. Tomelty's exposure to music at a young age influenced his work as a playwright, with several of his stage works being named after songs, including The Singing Bird (1948), Down the Heather Glen (1953) and The Drunken Sailor (1954). He married Lena Milligan in 1942. They had two daughters together: Frances Tomelty is an actress and the first wife of singer and musician Sting; while Roma Tomelty (d. 22 April 2020) was also an actress. Works Plays Barnum Was Right (1939) Idolatry at Inishargie (1942) Poor Errand (1943) Right Again Barnum (1943) The End House (1944) All Souls' Night (1948) The Singing Bird (1948) Down the Heather Glen (1953) April in Assagh (1954) The Drunken Sailor (1954) Is the Priest at Home? (1954) A Year in Marlfield (1965)