The Dubliners

Luke Kelly

Luke Kelly was a famous singer of traditional Irish music. A prominent member of The Dubliners, who has also experimented with a solo career.

The Dubliners

Ciarán Bourke (1935-1988)

Discover the story of Ciarán Bourke, founding member of the Dubliners and a key figure in traditional Irish music.

The Dubliners

The Dubliners are one of the most famous Irish popular groups worldwide. Renowned for their traditional Irish folk music, the Dubliners have recorded, and continue to record, numerous albums that are sought after across the globe. Violin, bodhrán, guitar, and Irish flute are all present! So, fancy a little traditional tune? Let’s go!

Career of the Dubliners

Birth of a renowned Irish folk group

The group The Dubliners was formed in 1962, in Dublin, Ireland. At that time, the group consisted of four main members:

Ronnie Drew (vocals, guitar)
Ciaran Bourke (vocals, guitar, Irish flute, and harmonica)
Luke Kelly (5-string banjo)
Barney McKenna (tenor banjo)

They were accustomed to playing together at O’Donoghue’s Pub in Dublin. Initially, the group’s first name was “The Ronnie Drew Group,” much to Ronnie Drew’s dismay, who did not like this name at all. The name “The Dubliners” was eventually adopted, as the group mainly played in Dublin (Note that at this time, Luke Kelly was reading James Joyce’s novel “The Dubliners,” which reinforced the idea that the group should definitely bear this name).

The Dubliners compose what would become true standards of traditional Irish music

Over the years, the Dubliners established themselves in the public eye as THE reference group for Irish folk. They spent the late 1960s and early 1970s touring Europe and the United States.

In 1974, a tragic accident occurred for the group. While performing a concert, Ciaran Bourke collapsed on stage due to a cerebral hemorrhage. His recovery 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 group on tours. He died in 1988, to the great sorrow of his bandmates.

But this misfortune did not come alone: in 1980, it was Luke Kelly’s turn, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The severity of the illness and treatment prevented him from playing with the rest of the group, and the Dubliners asked Sean Cannon to replace him. However, Luke Kelly insisted on participating in the group’s live shows and concerts despite his condition. He passed away in 1983.

The following years were quite significant for the group, as many great songs contributed to the worldwide success of the Dubliners. Among them, notably “The Wild Rover,” a track recorded in collaboration with the Pogues.

From 1980 until today, the Dubliners continue to play and tour worldwide, carrying with them a collection of great traditional Irish songs known around the world.

The Dubliners lose Ronnie Drew, the group’s leader

On August 16, 2008, Ronnie Drew succumbed at age 73 to throat cancer. In Ireland and beyond, the public mourned this tragic loss, and Mary McAleese, then President of Ireland, and Bertie Ahern (then Taoiseach) paid him a heartfelt tribute, as did many musicians (including U2, the Corrs, and the Pogues…).