Irish Music Legend Ronnie Drew Dies In Dublin

By Mike Fitzpatrick

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

In a brief statement, Mr. Drew's family confirmed he died at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin, just after 2pm on Saturday.

He had been suffering from poor health for some time.

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

His wife of over forty years, Deirdre, died last year, after having battled cancer for some time.

The couple had lived in Greystones, County Wicklow, prior to their deaths.

Having undergone six months treatment for throat cancer just two years ago, the iconic Dublin-born star's family said he passed away peacefully as they stood by his bedside.

"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.

Taoiseach Brian Cowen described Drew as having been an 'iconic figure in Irish music' 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 bore his illness with bravery and will be sadly missed", said Mr. Cowen.

Mary McAleese, the President of Ireland, said that it was with great sadness that she'd 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."

Ronnie Drew founded the Ronnie Drew Group, (later renamed The Dubliners in 1962) in the late '50s, with fellow Irish music legends, Ciaran Bourke, Barney McKenna and Luke Kelly; all but McKenna (who still plays with The Dubliners) are now dead.

The band, which has been through various incarnations, Drew himself left in the mid 1970s, only to return, before quitting for good in 1995, is still touring and performing to this day, despite the sad losses of Kelly (in 1984) and Bourke (in 1988).

Meeting regularly in O'Donoghue's pub in Dublin's city centre, they eventually went on to worldwide success and global renown, winning over audiences on every continent.

Earlier this year, members of U2, as well as Sinead O'Connor, Shane MacGowan, Ronan Keating, Mary Black, Bob Geldof, Mundy, Chris de Burgh, Christy Moore, The Corrs and other stars of the Irish music scene, gathered to record the single, 'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew', with all proceeds going to the Irish Cancer Society.

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

Ronnie Drew was laid to rest at Redford cemetery following a 10am mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary, in Greystones, with many mourners, including songwriters Paul Brady, Shay Healy and Phil Coulter, clearly emotional at the loss of their friend.

Brady claimed: "A whole era has come to an end. One of the most original Irish balladeers has gone, unfortunately. Ronnie Drew influenced all of us."