The Dubliners

The Dubliners were an Irish folk band founded in Dublin in 1962 as The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group, named after its founding member; they subsequently renamed themselves The Dubliners. The line-up saw many changes in personnel over their fifty-year career, but the group's success was centred on lead singers Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew. The band garnered international success with their lively Irish folk songs, traditional street ballads and instrumentals.[1] The band were regulars on the folk scenes in both Dublin and London in the early 1960s, and were signed to the Major Minor label in 1965 after backing from Dominic Behan who was paid by Major-Minor to work with the Dubliners and help them to build a better act fit for larger concert hall venues. The Dubliners worked with Behan regularly between 1965 and 1966; Behan wrote numerous songs for this act including the song McAlpine's Fusiliers created specifically to showcase Ronnie Drew's gravel voice. They went on to receive extensive airplay on Radio Caroline which was part owned by Phil Solomon CEO of Major Minor, and eventually appeared on Top of the Pops in 1967 with hits "Seven Drunken Nights" (which sold over 250,000 copies in the UK)[2] and "The Black Velvet Band". Often performing political songs considered controversial at the time, they drew criticism from some folk purists and Ireland's national broadcaster RTÉ had placed an unofficial ban on their music from 1967 to 1971. During this time the band's popularity began to spread across mainland Europe and they appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show in the United States. The group's success remained steady right through the 1970s and a number of collaborations with The Pogues in 1987 saw them enter the UK Singles Chart on another two occasions.[3]

This article is about the Irish folk band. For the book by James Joyce, see Dubliners.

The Dubliners
Ciarán Bourke, Luke Kelly, John Sheahan
Barney McKenna, Ronnie Drew
Background information
OriginDublin, Ireland
GenresIrish folk
Years active1962–2012
(Reunion: 2020)
LabelsColumbia, Epic, Legacy, Major Minor, EMI, Transatlantic, Polydor, Stiff, CHYME, Lunar, Harmac, Baycourt
Associated actsThe Dublin Legends, The Pogues, The New Triangle, The Cannons
MembersPaul Watchorn
Shay Kavanagh
John Sheahan
Sean Cannon
Gerry O'Connor
Past membersCiarán Bourke
Ronnie Drew
Luke Kelly
Barney McKenna
Bob Lynch
Jim McCann
Eamonn Campbell
Paddy Reilly
Patsy Watchorn

The Dubliners were instrumental in popularising Irish folk music in Europe, though they did not quite attain the popularity of The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem in the United States. They influenced many generations of Irish bands, and their legacy can to this day be heard in the music of artists such as The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys and Flogging Molly. Much adored in their native country, covers of Irish ballads by Ronnie Drew and Luke Kelly tend to be regarded as definitive versions. One of the most influential Irish acts of the 20th century, they celebrated 50 years together in 2012, making them Ireland's longest surviving musical act.[4][5] Also in 2012, the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards bestowed them with a Lifetime Achievement Award.[6] The Dubliners announced their retirement in the autumn of 2012, after 50 years of performing, following the death of original member Barney McKenna.[7] However, the surviving members of the group, continued touring under the name of "The Dublin Legends". As of 2020, Seán Cannon is the only former member still in this group, following Eamonn Campbell's death in October 2017.

Formation and history
O'Donoghue's Pub on Merrion Row, Dublin, where the group played regularly in the early 1960s.

Origins

The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin. The change of name came about because of Ronnie Drew's unhappiness with it, together with the fact that Luke Kelly was reading Dubliners by James Joyce at the time.[8] Founding members were Drew, Kelly, Ciarán Bourke and Barney McKenna.[9]

Drew, McKenna and Thomas Whelan had originally teamed up for a fundraising concert[10] and then went on to work in a revue with the Irish comedian John Molloy at the Gaiety Theatre in Dublin. They used to sing songs between acts.

Before joining the Dubliners full-time, Kelly had spent some time playing at English folk clubs such as the Jug o'Punch in Birmingham, run by the folk singer Ian Campbell.

The group played at the Edinburgh Festival in 1963 and that led to them being featured on a BBC programme called Hootenanny. The extra exposure helped them to win a contract with Transatlantic Records, with whom they recorded their first album, called simply The Dubliners. They also recorded their first single featuring Rocky Road to Dublin and The Wild Rover.

Members of the group

Drew spent some time in Spain in his younger years where he learned to play Flamenco guitar, and he accompanied his songs on a Spanish guitar.[8] Drew left the band in 1974 to spend more time with his family, and was replaced by Jim McCann. He returned to The Dubliners five years later, but left the group again in 1995.[8] Ronnie Drew died at St Vincent's Private Hospital in Dublin on 16 August 2008 after a long illness.[11] Paddy Reilly took Drew's place in 1995. Some of Drew's most significant contributions to the band are the hit single "Seven Drunken Nights", his rendition of "Finnegan's Wake", and "McAlpine's Fusiliers".

Luke Kelly was more of a balladeer than Drew, and he played chords on the five-string banjo. Kelly sang many defining versions of traditional songs like "The Black Velvet Band", "Whiskey in the Jar", "Home Boys Home"; but also Phil Coulter's "The Town I Loved So Well", Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town", "The Wild Rover", and "Raglan Road", written by the famous Irish poet Patrick Kavanagh. In 1980, Luke Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumour.[12] Occasionally Kelly was too ill to sing though he was sometimes able to join the band for a few songs. While on tour in Germany he collapsed on stage. When Kelly was too ill to play, he was replaced by Seán Cannon. He continued to tour with the band until two months before his death. Kelly died on 30 January 1984.[13] One of the last concerts in which he took part was recorded and released: Live in Carré, recorded in Amsterdam, Netherlands, released in 1983. In November 2004, the Dublin city council voted unanimously to erect a bronze statue of Luke Kelly.[14] Kelly is buried in Glasnevin Cemetery in Dublin.

Ciarán Bourke was a singer, but he also played the guitar, and tin whistle. He sang many songs in Irish ("Peggy Lettermore", "Preab san Ól"). In 1974 he collapsed on stage after suffering a brain haemorrhage. A second haemorrhage left him paralysed on his left side.[15] Bourke died in 1988.[16] The band did not officially replace him until his death.

John Sheahan and Bobby Lynch joined the band in 1964.[9] They had been playing during the interval at concerts, and usually stayed on for the second half of the show.[17] When Luke Kelly moved to England in 1964, Lynch was taken on as his temporary replacement. When Kelly returned in 1965, Lynch left the band and Sheahan stayed. According to Sheahan, he was never (and still has not been) ever officially asked to join the band. Sheahan is the only member to have had a musical education. Lynch committed suicide in Dublin in 1982.[18]

Later changes and tours
The Dubliners in 2005. L-R: Eamonn Campbell, John Sheahan, Barney McKenna, Seán Cannon, Patsy Watchorn.

In 1996 Ronnie Drew quit the band, and Paddy Reilly came on to replace him. Reilly, a long-time friend of the group, toured with them before on several occasions; he was already a successful solo artist in Ireland, scoring hits with "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Town I Loved So Well".

In 2005, Paddy Reilly moved to the United States, and Patsy Watchorn joined the group. Watchorn made a name for himself with The Dublin City Ramblers; like Kelly, he accompanies his songs on the five-string banjo.

The band toured Europe every year. A planned tour of Denmark two weeks after the death of McKenna on 5 April 2012 went ahead as planned. From the first show in Copenhagen on 18 April onwards he was replaced by the Irish banjo player Gerry O'Connor. In the fall of 2012 the band announced their retirement, effective after their 50th anniversary shows at the end of the year. The Dubliners played their final shows at Vicar Street in Dublin on 28/29/30 December 2012, and made their final TV appearance in the UK on a pre-recorded New Year's Eve edition of Jools Holland Annual Hootenanny' on 31 December. Their last public appearance as the Dubliners was on 27 January 2013 in memory of Barney McKenna.[19]

Reunions
A wall in O'Donoghue's dedicated to The Dubliners

25th anniversary

In 1987, The Dubliners celebrated their 25th anniversary. They recorded a double CD, produced by Eamonn Campbell, long-time friend and guest musician. He introduced them to The Pogues, and their collaboration resulted in a hit with "The Irish Rover". It reached number 8 in the UK singles charts and number 1 in Ireland. In 1990 their final hit single was "Jack's Heroes/Whiskey in the Jar", again with The Pogues, which reached number 63 in the UK and number 4 in Ireland. Campbell, who plays the guitar on stage, has been touring with the band ever since. Christy Moore, Paddy Reilly and Jim McCann also featured on the CD; Moore sings a tribute to Luke Kelly, and McCann sings the song "I Loved the Ground She Walked Upon", written by Phil Coulter and Ralph McTell. The following year, to coincide with Dublin's millennial celebrations, Raidió Teilifís Éireann produced an hour-long special on the band and the city's influence on their music, titled The Dubliner's Dublin.[20]

40th anniversary

In 2002, they temporarily reunited with Ronnie Drew and Jim McCann, for their 40th anniversary tour. They made a string of appearances on Irish television throughout this time, including a memorable appearance with Phil Coulter and George Murphy on RTÉ 1.

After the tour, Jim McCann was diagnosed with throat cancer and, though he fully recovered, his voice was severely damaged, and he was unable to sing since his illness. Despite this, he regularly acted as MC at folk gigs, notably at The Dubliners reunion shows, and at the 2006 'Legends of Irish Folk' shows (where he also played guitar in the finale).

The Dubliners performing in Luxembourg, 11 October 2008

50th anniversary

The band celebrated their 50th anniversary with an extensive year-long European tour and the release of a live DVD recorded live at Dublin's Vicar Street featuring Chris Kavanagh from the Band "The Legend of Luke Kelly" as a special guest. The tour continued in the wake of the death of the final founding member Barney McKenna, although the band announced that the final shows of the tour, to be held 28–30 December also at Vicar Street would be the band's final shows in which the band were joined by former band member Jim McCann.

Success
The Dubliners with president Higgins of Ireland in 2012. L-R: Gerry O'Connor, Eamonn Campbell, Sean Cannon, John Sheahan, President Michael Higgins and Paddy Reilly

The Dubliners became well known, not just in Ireland but also as pioneers for Irish folk in Europe and also (though less successful) in the United States. Their 1967 recordings of "Seven Drunken Nights" and "The Black Velvet Band" were released on the fledgling Major Minor label, and were heavily promoted on pirate radio station Radio Caroline. The result was that both records reached the top 20 in the UK pop charts. A third single, "Maids, When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man" reached number 43 in December 1967. It was their last UK hit single till they recorded with The Pogues in 1987.

In 1974, Ronnie Drew decided to quit the band, to spend more time with his family. He was replaced with Jim McCann. Before joining the band McCann had a TV show in the early seventies called The McCann man. He is best known for his incarnations of "Carrickfergus", Makem's "Four Green Fields", and "Lord of the Dance". He stayed with the band until 1979 when he left to start a solo career; then Ronnie Drew rejoined the band. First Ronnie went to Norway to record two songs in the Norwegian language with the Norwegian band Bergeners.

The Dubliners also gained popularity amongst famous musicians such as Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jimi Hendrix and Pink Floyd's drummer Nick Mason, who were all self-proclaimed Dubliners fans.[21]

In the 1960s, The Dubliners sang rebel songs such as "The Old Alarm Clock", "The Foggy Dew" and "Off to Dublin in the Green". However, the conflict in Northern Ireland from 1969 onwards led them to drop most of these from their repertoire. They resumed performing such songs occasionally towards the end of their career. They have also recorded satirical protest songs against nuclear weapons such as The Button Pusher and Protect and Survive, feminist songs such as Don't Get Married, and socialist songs such as Joe Hill.

On 8 February 2012, The Dubliners received a "Lifetime Achievement Award" at the 2012 BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.

Personnel
The Dubliners performing at the 2010 International Folk Festival in Bad Rappenau, Germany. Pictured left to right are Barney McKenna, John Sheahan, Seán Cannon, Patsy Watchorn, and Eamonn Campbell.

Members
Former guest musicians
  • Mary Jordan (1960s)
  • Ann Mulqueen (1962–63)
  • John Reavey (1964–66)
  • Danny Doyle (1970s)
  • Michael Howard – guitar (1980s, 2006)
  • Nigel Warren-Green – cello (1983–84)
  • Bobby Kelly (1986)
  • Gerry O'Connor – Irish tenor banjo (2005, 2012)
  • Chris Kavanagh – vocals, banjo (2011–12)
  • Al O'Donnell – vocals, guitar (2011)
  • Christy Sheridan – Irish tenor banjo (2012)[22]

Timeline

Line-ups
1962–64 1964–65 1965–73 1973
(Ciarán temporarily replaced due to illness)
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • Ciarán Bourke – vocals, guitar, tin whistle
  • Bobby Lynch – vocals, guitar
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • Ciarán Bourke – vocals, guitar, tin whistle
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Jim McCann – vocals, guitar
1973–74 1974–79 1979–82 1982–83
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • Ciarán Bourke – vocals, guitar, tin whistle
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Jim McCann – vocals, guitar
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
1983–88 1984
(RTÉ's Festival of Folk Concert)		 1988–95 1995–2005
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Jim McCann – vocals, guitar
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin
  • Paddy Reilly – vocals, guitar
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin
  • Paddy Reilly – vocals, guitar
2002
(40 Years Reunion Tour)		 2005–12 2012 2020
  • Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Jim McCann – vocals, guitar
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin
  • Paddy Reilly – vocals, guitar
  • Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin
  • Patsy Watchorn – vocals, banjo, bodhrán, spoons
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin
  • Patsy Watchorn – vocals, banjo, bodhrán, spoons
  • John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina
  • Sean Cannon – vocals, guitar
  • Gerry O'Connor – banjo
  • Shay Kavanagh – guitar, vocals
  • Paul Watchorn – vocals, banjo, guitar

Discography
See: The Dubliners discography

Original albums

Compilation albums

Video
  • 1984 The Dubliners – Visions of Ireland (re-released in 1991 as The Dubliners – Recorded Live in Dublin and in 1992 as The Dubliners – Live with Paddy Reilly and Jim McCann)
  • 1989 The Dubliners Dublin
  • 1987 The Late Late Show Tribute to The Dubliners
  • 1998 O'Donoghue's Opera
  • 1999 Luke – The Documentary
  • 2002 40 Years: Live From The Gaiety (re-released in 2004 as The Dubliners – Live: Legends In Concert and as a DVD/CD set The Dubliners – Live)
  • 2005 Five Beards on the Road (re-released in 2007 as On The Road – Live In Germany)
  • 2005 Luke Kelly – The Performer
  • 2006 Live At Vicar Street
  • 2008 The Dubliners – World Icons (2 DVD/CD Compilation)[24]
  • 2012 50 Years – Celebration Concert in Dublin

Irish Chart singles

UK Chart singles
  • 1967 – "Seven Drunken Nights" (#7)
  • 1967 – "The Black Velvet Band" (#15)
  • 1967 – "Never Wed An Old Man" (#43)
  • 1987 – "Irish Rover" (Feat The Pogues) (#8)
  • 1990 – "Jacks Heroes" (Feat The Pogues) (#63)
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References
  1. Smiling Seoige sisters (1 December 2012). "Dubliners' 50-year musical odyssey – Music, Entertainment". Independent.ie. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  2. Nick Guida (1 May 1969). "The Dubliners 1967–1969: It's the Dubliners". Itsthedubliners.com. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  3. Hevesi, Dennis (11 April 2012). "Barney McKenna, Banjo Player in the Dubliners, Dies at 72". The New York Times.
  4. "St. Patricks Day Station on Slacker Personal Radio". Slacker.com. 28 January 1928. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  5. "Dubliners "Banjo" Barney McKenna dies over his morning cuppa – Videos | Irish News". IrishCentral. 6 April 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  6. "BBC Radio 2 – BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, Radio 2 Folk Awards 2012". Bbc.co.uk. 8 February 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  7. "The Dubliners: Retirement". Thedubliners.org. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  8. Nick Guida. "The Dubliners 1962–1966: It's the Dubliners". Itsthedubliners.com. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  9. "The Story so far... The Dubliners' History". TheDubliners.org. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  10. The Dubliners Songbook, Heathside Music/Wise Publications 1974, Introduction by Eric Winter p.4
  11. CBC News, Dubliners singer Ronnie Drew dies, 16 August 2008. Retrieved on 13 March 2010.
  12. "Ronnie Drew: Lead singer of the Dubliners – Obituaries". The Independent. London. 18 August 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  13. "Luke Kelly Dies at Age of 44", The Irish Times, p. Page 7, 31 January 1980, Luke Kelly of the Dubliners died last night in the Richmond Hospital in Dublin. He was 44, and since 1980 had undergone two major operations following a brain tumour.
  14. "Council votes to erect Luke Kelly statue". RTÉ.ie – RTÉ News. 2 November 2004. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  15. Mary Hardy (1978), "The Dubliners Scrapbook", Wise, 1978, p. 96, ISBN 9780860015307, retrieved 13 March 2010, The night of 5 April 1974 was little short of catastrophic. [...] There the doctors diagnosed a brain aneurysm.
  16. Ciarán Bourke, 48, A Founder of Band Dubliners, Boston, MA: Boston Globe (pre-1997 Fulltext), Associated Press, 11 May 1988, retrieved 13 March 2010, [Ciarán Bourke], a ballad singer, guitarist and tin-whistle playing founding member of the Dubliners folk group, died yesterday. He was 48.
  17. "The Dubliners' Bobby Lynch: A Dubliner Forever". voices.yahoo.com. 10 July 2009. Archived from the original on 8 July 2012. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  18. Nick Guida. "The Dubliners: Bob Lynch – From the Land of Carolan". Itsthedubliners.com. Retrieved 10 May 2012.
  19. "Concerts 2013". Thedubliners.org. 30 January 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  20. "The Dubliners". Talking Elephant. Archived from the original on 21 April 2013. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  21. "The Dubliners: Legends in their own happy hour". Independent.ie. 24 November 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  22. Nick Guida (12 December 2005). "The Dubliners: Group Members (Honorary Dubliners) – It's The Dubliners". Itsthedubliners.com. Retrieved 6 August 2014.
  23. Wild Irish Rovers. "Wild Irish Rovers: Dubliners: Music". Retrieved 4 February 2013.
  24. "The Dubliners: Live at Vicar Street – the Dublin Experience – the Dubliners Videography".
  25. Archived 21 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine
  26. Archived 29 August 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  27. Archived 14 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine
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