Tributes to singer and musician Ronnie Drew were led yesterday by President Mary McAleese, after his death in Dublin following a long illness at the age of 73.
The legendary folk singer passed away at St Vincent’s Private Hospital in Dublin at 2 o'clock yesteday afternoon.
Born in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, in 1934, Ronnie Drew formed the Ronnie Drew Group in 1962. The group, which comprised Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna, later came to be known as The Dubliners.
They emerged from back room sessions in the O’Donoghues Pub in central Dublin to become a world-renowned act.
While Luke Kelly was known for singing their soulful ballads, Ronnie Drew will be best remembered for his gravelly-voiced renditions of rabble-rousing folk songs, like Finnegan’s Wake and Dicey Reilly.
He sang one of the band’s biggest commercial hits, when they entered the UK top 10 in 1967 with Seven Drunken Nights and appeared on the BBC’s Top of the Pops. The song was later banned by RTÉ.
In 1995 they appeared once again on the show with Shane McGowan and the Pogues, who performed with Drew on their single The Irish Rover.
His wife of more than 40 years, Deirdre, died last year. The couple lived in Greystones, Co Wicklow.
Earlier this year, U2, Sinead O’Connor, McGowan, Christy Moore and others came together to record a tribute to the singer, called The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew. He is survived by his two children and five grandchildren.
Leading the tributes, President McAleese said: "It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of the great Irish singer, Ronnie Drew."
"Ronnie was a champion of traditional Irish music and, with The Dubliners, he re-energised and refreshened our unique musical heritage. He brought great pleasure to the people of Ireland and yet more around the world.
Ronnie will be greatly missed by many but most particularly by his family with whom our thoughts are today."
In a statement on U2’s official website, Bono said: "Weddings, funerals, bar mitzvahs... that's what I loved about Ronnie Drew's voice and spirit. Music to inspire, to console... an optimism that was contagious... that's what U2 took from The Dubliners."
"Ronnie has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens... they need him up there... it's a little too quiet and pious. God is lonely for a voice louder than His own... then the bad weather will break..."
“God is lonely for a voice louder than His own.”
Taoiseach Brian Cowen said that ”Ronnie Drew was an iconic figure in Irish music over the last five decades. I met him, and admired his music, his unique singing voice was loved by so many people."
"Ronnie, whether as part of The Dubliners, or during his solo career, will also be remembered for his promotion of Irish music both at home and around the world. He bore his illness with bravery and will be sadly missed. ”
Minister for Arts Martin Cullen said: “Ronnie Drew with his distinctive voice and wonderful sense of humour was truly a Dublin icon. Popular with audiences who delighted in his performances, he was equally sought out by singers and songwriters who wanted to perform with this man who broke the mould, and who together with Luke Kelly brought the unique sound of The Dubliners to the world. "
"A man who is now part of our modern folk history, Ronnie Drew will be sorely missed by his fans not just in Ireland but around the world. I am sure that he will be missed in particular tonight, from ‘Raglan Road’ to ‘Fitzgibbon Street’ and in all parts of the city of Dublin which he so romanticised about in his music and song.
"My sympathy is extended to his family and wide circle of friends at this sad time.”
Fine Gael Leader, Enda Kenny TD has expressed his sympathies. He said: “It is not exaggeration to say that Ronnie Drew was a legend and his sad passing will be felt both at home and abroad."
“His contribution to Irish music and Irish life was immeasurable and his influence will be felt for many, many years to come.
“I wish to convey my sympathies, and all those of the Fine Gael Party, to Ronnie’s family and hope that they found some solace in the joy that he brought to so many people through his music and gregarious character. "
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”