Irish musician in hospital for months after stroke & cancer health hell to return home as funds raised for carer costs

AN IRISH folk musician is due to return home from hospital after a debilitating stroke, cancer diagnosis, and string of other health issues following a huge public fundraising appeal.

Jimmy Crowley, 76, who formed his folk orchestra Stokers Lodge in the late 60s, has been in hospital for a number of months fighting a number of health battles.

The musician now needs two full-time carers to ensure he can remain living at home – and thanks to the kindness of strangers the necessary funds were secured in the space of just 24 hours.

The music man, who also formed The Electric Band and hit the charts with their reggae version of The Boys of Fairhill, made an online appeal to help cover the costs of a second carer, with his wife, Eve Telford, set to be the other.

Crowley revealed on social media yesterday that he was diagnosed with stage three oesophageal cancer in September last year.

This was followed by a number of other health complications which have seen him stuck in hospital for many months.

But the pensioner, who is now mostly wheelchair-bound and will need to try to learn to walk again, is desperate to return to his Cobh home to be with his wife, and cat Smudge.

In a message on Facebook he said: “Dear people of the beautiful city and beyond, this is Jimmy Crowley, the singer from Cork. I’m having to call upon your kindness as a last resort.

“I’ve been rather under the weather of late. In late September 2025, I was diagnosed with stage three oesophageal cancer.

“Three months later, on December 27, I had a debilitating stroke. I’ve been in the Stroke Ward in Cork University Hospital for nearly five months now.

“I had a good many setbacks and complications during that time, including several falls which resulted in a hip replacement and then periprosthetic surgery on the same hip.

“I am now mostly wheelchair-bound, but have not given up on learning to walk.

“Before the cancer diagnosis and stroke, I was a full-time musician, cyclist, all-year-round sea-swimmer, and walker.

“Now all I want is to be able to return home to Cobh, to my pussycat Smudge and my sweetheart Eve.

“I’m soon to be discharged from CUH, and the choice is stark: home or nursing home.

“Unfortunately the only way I can return home is if I have two carers living with me 24/7. My partner Eve will be a full-time carer, but I need a second carer.

“I kindly request any donations, large or small, to help me afford a second live-in carer so I can finally return to Cobh and live at home, rather than in a nursing home, for the time I have left.

“Your donations will also help with the rising costs of suddenly having to live with not one but two dramatic, life-changing health conditions.”

Following the appeal, more than €66,000 was raised in less than 24 hours.

In an update posted tonight on the dedicated GoFundMe page, Eve said: “We’re so overwhelmed by the donations here. Thank you all so much! We’re at a loss for words, to be honest.

“Thanks to you all, we will be able to afford a live-in carer, and Jimmy will be able to come home. We’ll leave the GoFundMe open for now, and further contributions will go towards all the major house modifications and increasing medical expenses.”

Jimmy has been collecting and playing traditional Irish songs since he was 16, and he has recorded an album Child Ballads with his partner Eve, which has drawn from the rich heritage of Irish Travellers.

Jimmy pursued a solo career from the 90s, and successfully released his new album Life last year.