The music of The Dubliners has been engrained in my mind for as long as I can remember. Their delightful jigs, powerful reels, heartwarming, sorrowing, jolly and comedic songs have been engrained in Ireland and Ireland's history for the last 60 or so years. From powerful balladeers like Luke Kelly, to great racounteurs like Barney McKenna, you can find all about the Dubliners here on this website.
The Dubliners never really had a definitive starting point. In 1963, Luke Kelly, an Irish worker, came back from a trip to England, where he learnt various songs and befriended Ewan Maccoll. Luke was a player of the 5 string and zither banjo and would sing varous folk and political songs with perfect diction. Around about the same time, a young man called Ronnie Drew was playing at funerals, parties and plays in Dublin under theatre manager John Molloy. Drew befriended Barney McKenna, who was a local banjo player; who at that time, had a double act with Mary Jordan (Mary on spoons). In 1963, Ronnie, Barney and Mary started to play up and down Ireland as a trio.
In Ireland in the early '60s, a music hub was the pub "O' Donoghues" in Merrion Row in Dublin. It was owned by Paddy and Maureen O' Donoghue, and many people used to play there. One night, Ronnie, Barney and Mary were playing there. An apprehensive Luke decided to join them, and these sessions becaem very popular. Later, Ciaran Bourke, an agricultural student joined them, along with singer, Ann Mulqueen. Soon, Mary and Ann decided to leave this singing group, and the band became a foursome. They named themselves "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", and they embarked on a "Ballad Tour of Ireland" in 1963. Soon, they decided to change their name to "The Dubliners" after a book Luke was reading at that time
From there, The Dubliners decided to record the first record by Nathan Joseph of Transatlantic Studios in London. In 1964, Luke Kelly left, and the band was joined by Bobby Lynch and John Sheahan. In 1965, Bobby Lynch decided to leave and John Sheahan stayed. Many albums were recorded and the Dubliners had great critical acclaim. In 1973, tragedy struck. On April 4th 1974, Luke was worrying about the way Ciaran Bourke was moving his head (it looked as if he was trying to alleviate pain), a doctor was summoned and Ciaran was escorted off the stage. It was found that Ciaran was suffering from a brain aneurysm, and he became partially paralysed. He tried to rejoin The Dubliners, but he was too unwell and frail to do so. Bourke died in 1987. Jim Mccann, took the place of Ciaran Bourke.
In 1974, Ronnie Drew left The Dubliners, and they continued to tour Europe, although they faced a decrease in popularity due to newer, more polished, and more refined groups such as Planxty. In 1979, Drew decided to rejoin the group and Jim Mccann left. However, in 1980, another tragedy struck as Luke Kelly collapsed on stage and was found to be suffering from a brain tumour. He had 2 large operations, and Sean Cannon joined when Kelly became unable to sing. After suffering a seizure onstage in Mannheim in 1983, Kelly had to be taken off the stage. He died on the 30th January 1984. Sean Cannon, became a full time member of the group at this time. In 1987, the Dubliners celebrated their 25th Anniversary and they got a Late Late Show programme dedicated to them. At this time, Eamonn Campbell decided to bring The Dubliners and The Pogues together to record "The Irish Rover", and it became a hit. Soon The Dubliners and The Pogues were featured on Top of The Pops. In 1987, Eamonn Campbell joined the group, and in 1995 Ronnie Drew left again. He was replaced by the Irish singer Paddy Reilly. In 2002, The Dubliners had their 40th Anniversary, which resulted in a new album and a concert with all the surviving members at The Gaeity Theatre in Dublin. In 2006, Paddy Reilly left and was replaced by Patsy Watchorn. In 2012, The Dubliners celebrated their 50th Anniversary, but also in that year, Barney McKenna died at the age of 72 at his home in Howth. It was time to call it a day considered John Sheahan, and The Dubliners effectively ended. However, from 2012 to now, Sean Cannon, and previous members of The Dubliners decided to call themselves "The Dublin Legends" and tour. They continue to this day.