Biography
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Born
1953 (age 72)
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Born In
Macroom, County Cork, Munster, Ireland
Jimmy MacCarthy (born James McCarthy in Macroom, County Cork, in 1953) is an Irish singer-songwriter. Better known as a songwriter, especialy "Ride On" (recorded by Christy Moore and other artist), his songs have been recorded by many Irish artists including Christy Moore, Mary Black, Finbar Wright, Maura O'Connell, The Corrs and Westlife.
MacCarthy received his first guitar at the age of 7. At 12, he formed a garage band with his brother Dan. Prior to forming his first band, Southpaw with Declan Sinnott, MacCarthy and a friend from his formative years, Owen Hunter O’Brien, formed an act called Huntermac who were booked as the support act for Planxty at the Savoy in Limerick and in Cork, playing a combination of covers and some original songs.
Following Southpaw, MacCarthy became a solo performer and, through a deal with Mulligan Records, released two singles of his own in 1981, titled 'Miles of Eyes' and 'Like in the Movies'.
From the 1990s until the 2010s, MacCarthy released a series of full albums.
Between 2003 and 2008, MacCarthy took an extended hiatus from performing. Upon his return to the live scene, he played with a band consisting of Eleanor Healy (bass and vocals) and Martin Leahy (percussion and drums).
MacCarthy has not performed live since 2015, although he has performed some new songs during performances on live radio.
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