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 were formed in August of 1963 in O' Donoghues Pub in Merrion Row, Dublin, after Ronnie Drew, Barney McKenna, Luke Kelly and Ciaran Bourke got together and decided to play tunes one night. From there "A Ballad Tour of Ireland" started (organised by Telefis Eirrean), and the band decided to change their name from the "Ronnie Drew Ballad Group" to "The Dubliners" after a book that Luke Kelly was reading at the 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.