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BORN
1934
DIED
2008
Ronnie Drew Obituary
Drew passed away in Dublin after a lengthy battle with cancer, friend Brian Hand said.
Drew, born in Dublin in 1934, formed The Dubliners in 1962 with Luke Kelly, Ciaran Bourke and Barney McKenna.
Their songs include "The Molly Maguires," ''Dirty Old Town" and "Seven Drunken Nights." The Dubliners also recorded with The Pogues, and together they had a hit with "The Irish Rover." Drew also released a string of solo albums.
Earlier this year, a group of musicians — including Bono of U2, Christy Moore, The Pogues' Shane MacGowan, and Sinead O'Connor — released a song called "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew." All profits from the single went to the Irish Cancer Society.
The first chorus, sung by Bono, celebrated Drew's gravelly voice: "Here's to the Ronnie, the voice we adore; Like coals from a coal bucket scraping the floor; Sing out his praises in music and malt; And if you're not Irish, that isn't your fault."
Irish President Mary McAleese called Drew a "champion of traditional Irish music.
"With The Dubliners, he re-energized and refreshed our unique musical heritage," she said. "He brought great pleasure to the people of Ireland and yet more around the world. Ronnie will be greatly missed."
In a statement on U2's official web site, Bono said Drew created "music to inspire, to console."
"Ronnie has left his earthly tour for one of the heavens," the statement said. "They need him up there ... it's a little too quiet and pious."
Drew's wife, Deirdre, died last year. He is survived by two children and five grandchildren.
Copyright © 2008 The Associated Press
54 Entries
October 9, 2016
a pure legend , r,i,p ronnie drew , from all the hogan and roche family , dublin xxx
Liam Keyes
August 16, 2014
God Rest you Ronnie, Liam Keyes(Boston, Ma. late of Mespil Road, Dublin.
February 27, 2014
Loved your voice & those enticing enquiring eyes.God rest your soul hope you're enjoying a ceilidh!
Kieran O'Connell
July 28, 2013
A legend, sadly missed
03 Farewell Ronnie Drew.m4a
How you can show support
April 3, 2010
For Drew...a founding member of the Irish folk group The Dubliners.
WEEP NOT FOR ME
Do not weep for me when I no longer dwell among the wonders of the earth; for my larger self is free, and my soul rejoices on the other side of pain...on the other side of darkness.
Do not weep for me, for I am a ray of sunshine that touches your skin, a tropical breeze upon your face, the hush of joy within your heart and the innocence of babes in mothers arms.
I am the hope in a darkened night. And, in your hour of need, I will be there to comfort you. I will share your tears, your joys, your fears, your disappointments and your triumphs.
Do not weep for me, for I am cradled
in the arms of God. I walk with the angels, and hear the music beyond the stars.
Do not weep for me, for I am within you;
I am peace, love, I am a soft wind that caresses the flowers. I am the calm that follows a raging storm. I am an autumns leaf that floats among the garden of God, and I am pure white snow that softly falls upon your hand.
Do not weep for me, for I shall never die, as long as you remember me...
with a smile and a sigh.
© Joe Fazio
~
[email protected] /Joe Fazio,
Beverly Hills, California
jack barrett
January 22, 2010
miss your contribution to irish music
Susan Watt
April 7, 2009
May God bless and keep you, Ronnie. Thank you for all the wonderful songs and music. You will be greatly missed. Love always, Susan Watt xxx
Kate O'Sullivan
August 22, 2008
Ronnie, may you look down on us from a far playing and singing away to your hearts content. god bless you Ronnie for you, you belong to one of the dublin rare auld times!!!!
( England, in usa on holiday)
susan riordan
August 21, 2008
Ronnie - I loved your singing voice and i thought you were a great character - I am really sad that you are gone but hopefully you are now reunited with your wife Deirdre.
HARTS
August 20, 2008
We were so sorry to hear of Ronnie's death. May the comfort and tender mercies of our Heavenly Father be with you all (2 Corinthians 1:2-4). With deep sympathy,
John Erangey
August 20, 2008
The Ballad Singer rests his head
From all the Songs he carried for so long
Thank God He passed on his special flavour to us all
I remember the nights in the Savoy Cork
When we rose from our seats in admiration of one of Irelands greatest.
John Erangey Jefferson City Mo.
Norbert Rudolf
August 20, 2008
I will miss the great voiche of Folk and Worldmusic.You never forgotten.
Paddy Carroll
August 20, 2008
God bless ya, Ronnie Drew-and welcome you into Heaven!!!
peggy mc fetridge
August 19, 2008
my deepest sympthy on the parting of ronnie drew may st. patrick watch over you afan
peggy mc fetridge
danny milby
August 19, 2008
you where such an inspiration god bless .an ards man
Funeral todat of Ronnie Drew
Brian Fitzmaurice
August 19, 2008
Luke
August 19, 2008
Ronnie,
May the heavens welcome you with with wide open arms , may you sing your beautiful songs to all our loved ones who have passed away , the crack must be 90 in Gods kingdom today .
A LEGEND .
All our love to your family .R.I.P and may you and Deirdre dance to Black Velvet band this eve.
Liz and Malcolm
August 19, 2008
To the brightest star in the sky look down on us from up above.
thanks for all your wonderful music.
you will live on in all our hearts..
our prayers are with your family.
Paul Roche
August 19, 2008
Ronnie
It was a pleasure to know you and the family. You will be sadly missed on the global stage and on our road !
Cliodhna and Phelim did you both proud today.
May you and Deirdre rest in peace.
Terry Welch
August 19, 2008
You were one of Ireland's best.....may you rest in peace.
Your family will be in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.
KEN & MARY O'DANIEL
August 19, 2008
OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,& CONDOLENCES TO RONNIE DREW'S FAMILY, FRIENDS,MUSICIANS, &FANS.
Blanaid McCarthy
August 19, 2008
'The voice of Dublin has died' RIP Ronnie all my love Blanaid McCarthy
NIGEL BOURKE BOURKE
August 19, 2008
I NEVER MET YOU RONNIE BUT I,LL MISS YOU AS I DO MY OWN FATHER AS A CHILD MY FATHER WOULD PLAY DUBLINERS MUSIC TO ME . SUCH HAPPY TIMES THAT YOU FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE FOR ME IN MY HUMBLE LIFE
Joe Rankin
August 18, 2008
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Drew Roden
August 18, 2008
my sincere condolences
Jackie
August 18, 2008
R.I.P.
chris guttridge
August 18, 2008
a true legend.. time for the parting glass
Brian Fitzmaurice
August 18, 2008
Ronnie
Your legacy is to the many thousands of Dub’s at home and more so abroad who through your songs and stories have a deep appreciation of Dublin, its culture and its heritage.
Now that you and Luke are reunited I have no doubt that the Angles Harps will be replaced by the bodhran and banjo and the two most passionate voices of Irish music will be heard within the heavens.
May you rest in Peace
Jim Burke
August 18, 2008
Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners still provide me with many hours of great Irish entertainment...my deepest sympathy to his family, bandmates and friends.
Owen
August 18, 2008
R.I.P.
Joe O'Rourke
August 18, 2008
Rest in peace Ronnie Drew. You will be missed.
Jan W Woldering
August 18, 2008
My deepest condolences for the lost of this great man and voice..
May you rest in peace.
Angus Collins
August 18, 2008
With fond and happy memories on our visit 2 years ago to Ireland and our times spent together as a family.
Rest in Peace
Love
Angus, Tania, Seamus, Simone and Ashlin Collins (Melbourne, Australia)
Becky Lolley
August 18, 2008
I just learned about the Dubliners a short time ago. I've been in love with the Irish songs but really fell hard for the Dubliners. Ronnie's voice gave the music a heart and soul. You and Luke sing a chorus of Black Velvet Band for the good Lord and you'll have a favored place forever! May the road rise up to meet you!
Lynda Butler
August 17, 2008
Rest in peace Ronnie, thank you for all the great songs and memories you left us with, you were a great entertainer and you'll be missed.
J Mikell
August 17, 2008
May God hold Ronnie in His memory.
ann mccabe
August 17, 2008
Ronnie Drew what a fantastic man and musician he'll be sadly missed although he has been immortalised in his brilliant music
Willie Gilmore
August 17, 2008
Thank,s for all your song,s Ronnie.RIP.
SHEILA SMITH
August 17, 2008
Rest in Peace Ronnie.
Slim & Linda Denby
August 17, 2008
Thanks Ronnie, King of Dublin and Lord of the Liberties. We have loved you all our lives. Good luck in your tour of heaven and give the missus our love. You are sadly missed even now.
Twan Masala
August 17, 2008
The music of Ronnie Drew and the Dubliners was always a kind of stepstone in my life. I am very sad that he passed away. Ronnie, I guess in heaven they did not wanted to wait any longer for the arrival of a great singer. Thank you so much for the beautifull music and all the moments you cheared up my life. My condoleances to the family and friends. Adios.
terry
August 17, 2008
Thanks Ronnie for all the hours of enterainment you gave us.
You will be missed by everyone you ever enterained
Sean Pope
August 17, 2008
Ronnie's Family and friends. God saw that you were tired. He decided to give you rest. So he took you to His Heavenly Home. And, He only takes the Best. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam.
R.D. Eno
August 17, 2008
A great sorrow that he is no longer in the world. Ronnie was a man of unexpected sophistication -- even in his twenties he could take you by surprise. As fame took him, I think, leaving him unspoiled. It was a pleasure to know him -- and Luke and Ciaron, also gone from us, and the indomitable Barney -- in the first moment of youthful amazement that such wonderful things could happen in life as The Dubliners.
Jack poppert
August 17, 2008
What a loss to Ireland and to Irish Music. Thankfully, your music and your wonderful VOICE will go on thanks to records etc. The world of Irish Music is going to be a lesser place without you. As Bono said in his Ballad of Ronnie Drew "here's to you Ronnie Drew" Rest Peacefully Lad.
Henryk Zaleski
August 17, 2008
Thank you for the music.
Mike Enright
August 17, 2008
"Safe Home" to you Ronnie Drew, and may Luke Kelly and Tommy Makem welcome you at the gate to Heaven, where the music will be richer from this time forward. God bless you.
Maureen " Mo" Dundon
August 17, 2008
May God Go with You , Thank you for the music !
Marian Quinlan Curtin
August 17, 2008
A very sad day, I first saw Ronnie play and sing back in the late sixties in a pub in Dublin
Loved his music but I feel he is at Peace now with his lovely late wife.
Heaven has gained another star.
What a legacy of memories and music
Ronnie has left.
Rest in Peace
Marian
Matthew Spencer
August 17, 2008
I will never forget your voice. So fill to me the parting glass. Good night and joy be with you. God bless.
August 17, 2008
There is a grand party going on tonight in heaven. Grew up with his music and others. What fun that was. Had one of my biggest thrilles of my life to hear him live many years ago. What a blessing. To the family you are in my prayers.
D. ZIMMER4MAN
August 16, 2008
REST IN PEACE RONNIE DREW
FREDIA PRUITT
August 16, 2008
with love
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