He was educated at Banada National School and Banada Abbey Secondary School – both located close to the town of Tubbercurry.
Tommy got involved in amateur drama at an early age and was a member of the Banada Drama Group, The Phoenix Players in Tubbercurry and Charlestown Drama group. He featured in a series of plays including ‘The Winslow Boy’, ‘A Bit Of Land’, ‘Conversations on a Homecoming’, ‘The Outcasts of Poker Flat’, ‘Barbers Tale’, ‘The Year of the Hiker’, ‘The Word and the Flesh’ and ‘See How They Run’ to name but a few.
In 1985 he was a member of the cast and co-writer of a comedy sketch entitled ‘Heaven Help Us’ which scooped a Scor All-Ireland award in the novelty act category at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin.
His first stab at writing came in the early 1990’s when he wrote a series of plays and pantomimes including ‘Band of Gold’, ‘Cindy Eile’, ‘Pake and the Beanstalk’ and ‘Do You Believe in Toothfaries’. During that time Tommy performed alongside fellow-broadcaster John Duggan, International Singing Star Sandy Kelly and Eurovision-star Marc Roberts.
Having established himself as a writer Tommy then penned his first 3 act play in 2007. The Banshee of Crokey Hill was a humorous, yet often daunting production, that dealt with relationships and conflict. The play was originally a short-term project but ended up being performed in over 40 venues in Ireland as well as touring the UK (Manchester and Birmingham) and America (Boston, Chicago and New York) over a hectic two-year period.
In 2010 Tommy co-wrote the highly acclaimed drama/musical ‘On a Wing and a Prayer’ in collaboration with Terry Reilly – former M.D. of the Western People newspaper. The production commemorated the life of Monsignor James Horan and was staged over 9 performances to mark the 100th anniversary of his birth. The production raised over €150,000 for Mayo/Roscommon hospice. As well as co-writing the show Tommy also directed the production which featured a cast of 130 people.
In 2012 the play ‘It’s The Real McCoy’ was Tommy’s next production. Set in rural Ireland in the 1960’s it told the story of Madge Molloy – a woman who never knew why her husband deserted her after just four months of marriage! The Real McCoy is regarded as one of the funniest Irish plays in decades and Tommy and his cast and crew spent over 3 years on the road touring theatres in Ireland, the UK and America with ‘SOLD OUT’ signs at every venue.
In 2015 another hilarious production was launched as Tommy’s play ‘Nobody’s Talking To Me’ was again heralded as a ‘must see’ production. The storyline centred around a couple who hadn’t spoken a word to each other in over 10 years! However, when the local curate decided to ‘surprise’ the happy couple to renew their wedding vows you can only imagine what unfolded!! Yet again this play proved to be an overwhelming success with tours across Ireland, the UK and America and along with ‘It’s the Real McCoy’ has now become a firm favourite with amateur drama groups staging both plays to local audiences.
Realising the ‘variety is the spice of life’ Tommy decided to set his next production in a more modern setting and in 2018 launched the play ‘3 Hail Mary’s’. Set in a nursing home this play is laced with humour and emotion. Audiences quickly fall in love with the three main characters – Mary O’Toole, Mary O’Neill and Mary O’Brien – as they spend their last day together in a nursing home. All three suffer from memory-loss and Tommy cleverly wove together a script that is sensitive yet hilarious.
Apart from writing Tommy is a well-known radio broadcaster with Ireland’s most popular radio station Midwest Radio. He presents the morning current-affairs programme from 9 to 11 and has won numerous radio awards during his broadcasting career including runner-up in the Broadcaster of the Year in 2013.