Sean McCarthy (songwriter)

Sean McCarthy statue in Finuge, Ireland

Sean McCarthy (1923 – 1990), a native of Finuge, County Kerry, Ireland, was an Irish song writer. He was born one of 10 children, on 5 July 1923. He penned some of Ireland's favourite ballads including "Shanagolden" and "In Shame".

A festival in honour of McCarthy, is held every August in his home village of Finuge, County Kerry.

"Poet, author, folklorist and traditional music aficionado" Mattie Lennon has written a play about the life and works of Sean McCarthy entitled "And All his Songs Were Sad". It was produced by the Pantagleize Theatre Company in Fort Worth, Texas October 2010.