Celebrating International Songwriters Day with a Special Tribute to Omagh’s Jimmy Kennedy

To mark International Songwriters Day on 9 April 2025, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is proud to share a remarkable collection of works to celebrate the extraordinary musical legacy of one of Omagh’s most influential songwriters, Jimmy Kennedy. The collection, generously gifted by J.J. Tohill, has enabled the development of an online education programme accessible to all via the Strule Arts Centre website.

Many may not realise that Jimmy Kennedy, the creative mind behind timeless classics such as The Teddy Bears’ Picnic and The Hokey Cokey, was born in Omagh. For years, Omagh has subtly paid tribute to his legacy through the annual Teddy Bears’ Picnic in Grange Park. Now, thanks to Mr. Tohill’s generosity, the Council has been able to take this recognition a step further by cataloguing and providing digital access to an extensive collection of Kennedy’s song sheets, showcasing the breadth of his contributions to music.

Recognising this special tribute, Chair of Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Councillor John McClaughry, stated,

“Thanks to the generosity of Mr Tohill, we are now able to share Jimmy Kennedy’s legacy in a meaningful way. Aligning with a Council commitment to conserve, develop, promote, and enhance access to our heritage assets, this new digital resource will provide an opportunity for people of all ages to learn more about his contributions to music.”

For more information and to access the Jimmy Kennedy education programme, visit: https://struleartscentre.co.uk/your-visit/roof-top-museum/

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