image

Ronnie Drew

… in Tribute - RTE

Saturday, 16 August 2008

image

Singer Ronnie Drew dies after long illness

President Mary McAleese has led tributes to singer Ronnie Drew who has died following a long illness.

The President said: 'It is with great sadness that I have learned of the death of the great Irish singer Ronnie Drew'.

She said he was a champion of traditional Irish music and with The Dubliners re-energised and refreshened Ireland's unique musical heritage. Advertisement

Mrs McAleese said that Mr Drew 'will be greatly missed by many, but most particularly by his family with whom our thoughts are today'.

Phelim Drew said his father passed away peacefully in St Vincent's Private hospital this afternoon at age 73. Mr Drew's family expressed their gratitude to Professor John Crown and the entire staff of the hospital.

Mr Drew founded the then Ronnie Drew Group in 1962 which later came to be known as The Dubliners.

The group included fellow Irish music legends Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna.

While Mr Kelly was known for singing their soulful ballads, Drew will be best remembered for his gravelly-voiced renditions of rabble-rousing folk songs, like Finnegan's Wake and Dicey Reilly.

Ronnie Drew 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.

In 1995 they appeared once again on the show with Shane McGowan and the Pogues, who performed with Mr Drew on their single 'The Irish Rover'.

Born in 1934 in Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin, Mr Drew underwent six months' treatment for throat cancer two years ago.

Deirdre, his wife of more than 40 years, died last year. The couple lived in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

He is survived by his two children, Phelim and Cliodhna, and five grandchildren.

Tributes flood in for 'iconic singer'

The Taoiseach said that the Dubliners singer had been an iconic figure in Irish music over the past five decades and that his unique singing voice had been enjoyed by many people.

Mr Cowen added that Mr Drew, whether as part of the Dubliners or during his solo career, will be remembered for his promotion of Irish music both at home and around the globe.

Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism Martin Cullen also expressed his sadness at the news.

Mr Cullen described the singer as a truly Dublin icon and part of our modern folk history.

He said 'I am sure he will be missed 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'.

Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny said Mr Drew's contribution to Irish music and Irish life was immeasurable and his influence would be felt for many years to come.

In a statement on U2's official website, Bono said Mr Drew has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens.

'Music to inspire, to console... an optimism that was contagious... that's what U2 took from The Dubliners,' he said.

'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.'

… in Tribute - BBC

Saturday, 16 August 2008

image Irish folk singer Drew dies at 73

Ronnie Drew, the legendary Irish folk singer and musician, has died at the age of 73, his family has announced.

Drew, the founder of The Dubliners, had been battling ill health for some time.

In a brief statement, his family confirmed he passed away at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin at 1400 BST on Saturday.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen said Drew had been an "iconic figure in Irish music" over five decades who would be remembered worldwide for his music.

"I met him and admired his music, his unique singing voice was loved by so many people," he said.

"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."

Drew underwent six months' treatment for throat cancer two years ago.

His wife of more than 40 years, Deirdre, died last year. The couple lived in Greystones, Co Wicklow.

He is survived by his two children and five grandchildren.

Drew's family said he passed away peacefully while they were at his bedside.

Ronnie was a champion of traditional Irish music and, with The Dubliners, he re-energised and refreshed our unique musical heritage Republic of Ireland president Mary McAleese

"The family are very grateful for all the letters of support and wishes during the term of Ronnie's illness," they said in a statement.

They also thanked Professor Crown and the entire medical staff of St Vincent's Private Hospital.

Con Kavanagh, barman at O'Donoghues, where The Dubliners started out, said everybody gathering at the pub this evening was talking about Drew.

"When you mention Dublin, you mention Ronnie Drew — the two just went together," he said. "Everybody loved him."

Irish president Mary McAleese said it was with great sadness that she learned of Drew's death.

"Ronnie was a champion of traditional Irish music and, with The Dubliners, he re-energised and refreshed our unique musical heritage," she said.

During his career, Drew recorded with many artists, including Christy Moore, The Pogues, Antonio Breschi and Eleanor Shanley.

Earlier this year, members of U2 joined fellow Irish musicians Sinead O'Connor, Shane MacGowan, Christy Moore and others to record a tribute song The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew.

All profits from the release of the single went to the Irish Cancer Society.

Speaking at the time of the recording, U2 frontman Bono said: "Ronnie is like the King of Ireland, and we are his subjects.

"This is a big fight for him. But like any fighter, it's easier if there's a crowd cheering."

Drew founded the Ronnie Drew Group in 1962, which later came to be known as The Dubliners.

The group included fellow Irish music legends Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna and they began by singing in the O'Donoghues pub in central Dublin.

Kelly was known for singing their soulful ballads and Drew will be best remembered for his gravelly-voiced renditions of songs like Finnegan's Wake and Dicey Reilly.

Drew sang one of the band's biggest commercial hits, Seven Drunken Nights, and the band appeared on the BBC's Top of the Pops.

They later appeared again on the show with Shane MacGowan and the Pogues to perform the single The Irish Rover.