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(0 votes)The Dubliners are one of the best-known Irish folk bands in the world. Renowned for their traditional Irish folk music, the Dubliners have recorded, and are still recording, a number of albums that are sold out all over the world. Fiddle, bodhràn, guitar and Irish flute! What’s up? In the mood for a little trad air? Here we go!
The Dubliners were formed in 1962 in Dublin, Ireland. At that time, the group consisted of 4 main members:
The latter used to play together at O’Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin. Initially, the band’s first name was “The Ronnie Drew Group”, much to Ronnie Drew’s dismay. The name “The Dubliners” was finally adopted, as the band played mainly in Dublin (it should be noted that Luke Kelly was reading James Joyce’s novel “The Dubliners” at the time, which convinced him that the band absolutely had to bear this name).
Over the years, the Dubliners have established themselves in the public eye as THE reference group for Irish folk. They spent the late 60s and early 70s touring Europe and the United States.
In 1974, a tragic accident befell the group. In the middle of a concert, Ciaran Bourke collapses on stage after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. His remission was long and difficult. Unfortunately, the artist suffered another stroke a few years later. This accident paralyzed the left side of his body, preventing him from joining the rest of the band on tour. He died in 1988, much to the sorrow of his comrades.
In 1980, Luke Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The violence of his illness and treatment prevented him from playing with the rest of the band, and the Dubliners asked Sean Cannon to replace him. However, Luke Kelly insists on taking part in the band’s live shows and concerts despite his condition. He died in 1983.
The years that followed were quite influential for the band, as many of their great songs were the foundation of the Dubliners’ worldwide success. These include “The Wild Rover”, a track recorded in collaboration with the Pogues.
From 1980 to the present day, the Dubliners still play and tour all over the world, bringing with them an anthology of great traditional Irish songs known the world over.
On August 16, 2008, Ronnie Drew died of throat cancer at the age of 73. In Ireland and elsewhere, the public mourned this tragic loss, and Mary McAleese, then President of Ireland, and Bertie Ahern (then Taoiseach) paid tribute to him, as did many musicians (including U2, the Corrs and the Pogues).
