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Barney "Banjo" McKenna
Barney "Banjo" McKenna
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Barney McKenna Obituary
Eyewitnesses say McKenna was drinking tea with friends in his home Thursday and appeared to fall asleep. He couldn't be revived and was pronounced dead at a Dublin hospital.
McKenna was considered the most influential banjo player in Irish folk music. He spent a half-century performing, recording and touring with the band since its 1962 creation in the Dublin pub O'Donoghue's. The other three founders - Ronnie Drew, Ciaran Bourke and Luke Kelly - died in 2008, 1988 and 1984 respectively.
McKenna received a standing ovation at his final Dublin performance Wednesday.
Copyright © 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
71 Entries
Bob Barrett
May 2, 2012
You were the Best, We will all miss you. Now the Angles can enjoy you talent and wit.
Jeanette
April 18, 2012
We look forward to seeing you in perfect condition under God's Kingdom rule soon - Matthew 6:9,10.
Sue Barron
April 15, 2012
Saw the splendid performance at Leeds Grand Theatre on Mothers Day and remembered myself to the group from past association with them. It was a spectacular evening and I'm SO glad I was able to see them together although I missed Ronnie being there. At least Barney made that 50 year anniversary tour and I'm so pleased he was able to. Great memories of a band I've followed for most of that time!
Robyn
April 15, 2012
Sorry to hear of Banjo's death. I pray that his family, friends, and fans have comfort from "the God of all comforts".
How you can show support
April 14, 2012
Dear ol' Barney, you enriched all of our lives with your magic; thank you so much lovely man and God bless. Ken and Lynda Sumbler
Gaute Strandlie
April 14, 2012
Thank you, Barney. You made the world a better place, and my life brighter.
Detlef Tront
April 13, 2012
Dear Barney,
were ever you are now -I know in Fiddlers Green!-, best wishes for a ever good life there. Drag the Banjo whenever you've time therfor. That was your passion in the short time of your life on this little earth.
Also the best wishes from me sister. She saw you first on stage 3 years ago in Beverungen/Germany and loves your musik and entertainment from that moment, he saw you.
Barney, you where a Man, we don't met every day.
Thank you for your musik!!!
john cormack
April 13, 2012
Rest In Peace Barney.
John Cormack
llandudno North Wales
April 12, 2012
I am so sorry for your lost. May you and your family rely on God in this time if grief.
April 12, 2012
Banjo is being missed dearly. He left a very good legacy. Romans 15:33
mark fenton
April 11, 2012
Barney you where an inspiration to us all may you rest in peace
Tracy Leonard
April 10, 2012
Pleasure to have met you Barney,you were a gentleman,goodnight god bless xxx
April 10, 2012
May the road rise to meet you Barney.
Go raibh maith agat
Martin Timmins
April 9, 2012
Farewell Barney old friend. We'll meet again. Martin, Dublin and Adelaide
carole segura
April 9, 2012
Peace be with you my friend
tom slevin
April 9, 2012
barney swapped his banjo for a harp.
Robin Hiermer
April 9, 2012
Have a ball in Fiddler's Green!
Was great talking to you, listening to those great stories and music!
RIP!
Robin
www.ceilifamily.de
Patty R.
April 9, 2012
To Barney's family and to the Dubliners, my most sincere sympathies on your loss. My sincere thanks to Barney for leaving behind a legacy of wonderful music, song and Barneyisms to keep us smiling until we all meet again!!
LAURA HANSON
April 9, 2012
OUR LOSS IS HEAVEN`S GAIN,BARNEY IS SAFE NOW IN FIDDLERS GREEN XXX
Benny
April 9, 2012
To all relatives, friends and group members; all our feelings of compassion and warm wishes. Banjo Barney, we are sad that you left us but for us your music will always keep you alive. "Go raibh maith agat" and "Slàn"!
Hendrik De Cock
April 9, 2012
My condolences to the family, friends and particular to the remaining members of the Dubliners.
To put it in Barney's own words 'I wish I had someone to love me' and 'It's too late to stop now'.
Please Barney, play your banjo in peace for ever now.
Hendrik De Cock
Hauwsestraat 40
9860 oosterzele
Belgium
Jon Ford
April 9, 2012
You will be greatly missed both as a musician and a character. Harps and banjos - now there's a thought!!
Joseph Whincup
April 7, 2012
In memory of a great man, who gave to the world, I thank you and wish peace for you and your friends.
KEN&MARY O'DANIEL
April 7, 2012
WE ARE SENDING OUR LOVE,PRAYERS,&CONDOLENCES TO THE MCKENNA FAMILY,FRIENDS,FANS,&ALL WHO KNEW MR. MCKENNA.
Cherise
April 7, 2012
To the family of Barney McKenna, I am sorry to hear of your loss. God gave us the wonderful ability to listen to great music and even blessed some with the ability to play an instrument. Barney was one of those blessed. May the God of comfort give you the strength you need to make it through this difficult time and may you find comfort in knowing that one day you will have the chance to see Barney again.
Sandra
April 7, 2012
I loved this band. In the 1970s when disco ruled radio, I was wearing out vinyl LPs of The Dubliners live performances. I'm sure there's a lovely party on some bright shore today. Bless you boys, and thanks.
Victoria
April 6, 2012
In memory of a friend Who Loved
The tales of rock
folk Country down to earth
Banjo/Country music..
Cheers to you
Mr.K.Reed Jones ~Brothers
Rip`Barney ~BANJO~ McKenna
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Marilynn
April 6, 2012
My sincere condolences for your loss. May the hearer of prayer help you to endure this time of sadness and may he give you peace as spoken of at Psalm 65:2.
KAVALLIERATOS NIKIAS
April 6, 2012
I shall always try to listen to you quicker...thank you for the music and for making every single part of my body telling me to come home...I miss you already...tell to the King of Ireland, Ronnie and to Luke that they are still missed...!
Anthony Barry
April 6, 2012
May God hold you in the palm of his hand and welcome you....Rest in Peace.
Twan Masala
April 6, 2012
Barney was a great musician and a fine man. Without him I would never have discovered my love for Irish folk music. Thanks Barney. May you rest in peace. "The skipper below is now making tea for the crew...". Have a save trip to the docks of Fiddler's Green! Slainte!
April 6, 2012
May the family find comfort in the words found at Ecc.7:1,2 A name is better than good oil and the day of death than the day of one's being born.
April 6, 2012
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Brian Mack
April 6, 2012
A wonderful musician; my condolences to his friends and family.
Jim Larkin
April 6, 2012
I am so sad to hear of the loss of this outstanding musician and wonderful man. My deepest sympathy to his family. RIP Barney.
Bill Bracken (The Dublin Minstrel)
April 6, 2012
Rest in peace Barney, what memories you left with us. You were a one-off! Goodbye and God Bless
April 6, 2012
RIP Barney
Marc Michiels
Belgium
susan gantley
April 6, 2012
Rip barney
Diana Chupco Richardson
April 6, 2012
My heart is broken. I adore your music. Every time I listen to it, it makes me even prouder of my Irish heritage. What a gift you were to the world. I pray that God eases the sorrow and pain that your precious family, and all who love your music, are feeling now.
"Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis"
I raise my glass in celebration of your life dear soul. Thank you for your beautiful music. Slainte!
Patrick Harding
April 6, 2012
My condolences to the family. He'll be in my prayers. I was just listening to an old Dubliners CD the other day. Great stuff.
alan donohoe
April 6, 2012
rest in peace barney
you inspired alot of us to take up the banjo
April 6, 2012
rest in peace barney
you inspired alot of us to take up the banjo
Victoria&Andrew
April 6, 2012
Oh the poet :)
sweet playing fun time
folk song tales with
intrumental BANJO tunes
Rest in serene Peace
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
April 6, 2012
My sincere condolences to the McKenna family and dear friends. God will get you through this most difficult time. - Psalm 46:1
Charlie Connolly
April 6, 2012
Barney, what a session in heaven now with Ronnie, Luke, Ciaran. As written in the song the Dublin Minstrel :we will never see your like again",
Noel Bernard McKenna, God be good to you.
April 6, 2012
RIP Banjo!!! We'll never see the likes of them again, the world is poorer without the Dubliners/
Bill, Westerville Ohio
Guy Bourne
April 6, 2012
Unite the Dubliners on the other side. I'll see you there. Thanks for the music
April 6, 2012
So sorry to hear of Banjo Barney. He will be dearly missed. Romans 15:33
Ben Gardiner
April 6, 2012
Barney's passing is a great loss to all of us. Our sincerest condolences to his family, you are in our prayers.
Pat Kelleher
April 6, 2012
To the King of Irish tenor banjo players and not forgetting your love of fishing, may you rest easy Barney and play one for us up yonder.
Sláinte,
Pat Kelleher,
Cork.
Ireland
Klasina Woudstra
April 6, 2012
Barney your musical performance gave us memories too beautiful to forget.We will never forget you ! We have a cherished place within our hearts where you'll always will be Barney We will see you again some day, in a heavenly place where there is no parting. A place where there are no words that mean good-bye. The celestial music that we will hear will be saturated with your banjo
April 6, 2012
Thanks for the good times, the laughs and the tears and most of all Thank you for the MUSIC. The world won't ever be quite the same. You were truly A Man You Don't Meet Everyday.
Michael
April 6, 2012
Thank You Barney, for the good times, the laughs and the tears, but, most of all, Thank you for the MUSIC. The world won't ever be quite the same. You were truly A Man You Don't Meet Everyday.
Joe O'Brien
April 5, 2012
Loved the music over the years. RIP Banjo.
Margie Murphy
April 5, 2012
May you be in heaven half an hour before the devil knows you're gone. RIP. Banjo
Megan
April 5, 2012
Love your music. Listen to it daily. R.I.P.
Peggy
April 5, 2012
You will be missed. I love your music and play one CD a lot in my car. Rest in peace.
kevin carolan
April 5, 2012
what a true irish man banjo player and singer rip
April 5, 2012
Met him in Cardiff a month ago and chatted about the good old days. I loved the man.
Lyn Ebenezer, Wales.
Caroline
April 5, 2012
Rest in peace Barney
inge
April 5, 2012
a special place in my heart since 1991. RIP dear Barney
April 5, 2012
fan from holland for years and years will miss you
Patricia Fischer
April 5, 2012
Our loss is Heaven's gain. He will truly be missed. Patti F.
PJ
April 5, 2012
May you find comfort in thi time of sorrow. My condolences to you. -John 5:25
VA
April 5, 2012
My deepest condolences are with you at this time of need. Know that god feels your pain as well. Go to him in prayer and he will comfort you very much.
Sincerely,
Ms J
Sharon
April 5, 2012
May the blessing of light be upon you.
May the blessed sunlight shine on you.
And may the blessing of the rain be
upon you – the soft sweet rain.
May it fall upon your spirit so that
the little flowers may spring up and
shed their sweetness in the air.
And may the blessing of the great
rains be on you.
May they beat upon your spirit and
Wash it fair and clean and leave
There many a shining pool where
The blue heaven shines reflected in
Sometimes a star.
May the blessing of the earth be
Upon you.
May the earth rest easy over you
When at last you lie out under it.
May it rest so lightly over you that
Your soul may be quickly through
It and on its way to God.
Caithleen Carter Steeves
April 5, 2012
caithleen carter Steeves
Linda M
April 5, 2012
What a loss for the world but a huge gain in the Heavenly Band. Grace to his family and friends, From a wannabe Irish gal
M Milord
April 5, 2012
May the God of comfort be with you in this time of sorrow.
martin resnik
April 5, 2012
A true giant among musicians, and men. His instrumental in the live recording of "Masons Apron" is second to none. May you rest in peace.
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