Samuel Rowsome, Leo’s grandfather sent his sons, John, Thomas and William, to a German teacher who lived in Ferns, near their home in County Wexford to learn the theory of music and how to play various instruments.

This knowledge was passed on through William to his son, Leo, who made good use of it in his teaching, writing music for his many pupils.

His father, William, a Protestant who converted to his wife's Catholic religion,[2] realised that his son had the ability to become a talented musician and craftsman.

Noreen (O'Flaherty) Rowsome, from Corca Dhuibhne, had five children (Kevin, Mary, Anne, Nuala, and Caitríona) and ten grandchildren (Leo's great-grandchildren), five of whom (Tierna, Naoise, Mark Óg, Luke, and Alastair) are sixth-generation uilleann pipers.

[4] Leo Rowsome died suddenly whilst adjudicating The Fiddler of Dooney Competition in Riverstown, County Sligo on 20 September 1970.