The Dubliners
| Company type | Music group |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1962 in Dublin, Ireland |
| Founder | Ronnie Drew |
| Headquarters | Dublin , Ireland |
| Products | Irish folk music recordings and performances |
The Dubliners () emerged as an Irish folk ensemble established in Dublin in 1962, initially known as The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group after founding member Ronnie Drew. The band later adopted the name The Dubliners. Central to their acclaim were lead vocalists Luke Kelly and Drew. They gained worldwide recognition performing spirited Irish folk tunes, traditional ballads, and instrumental pieces.
Beginning their journey within the folk circuits of Dublin and London, they secured a recording deal with Major Minor in 1965. Songwriter Dominic Behan played a significant role in shaping their performances for larger audiences and contributed several compositions, including "McAlpine's Fusiliers," tailored to showcase Drew’s unique vocal style. Their music received substantial airplay on Radio Caroline, which was partly owned by Major Minor’s CEO Phil Solomon. The band appeared on Top of the Pops in 1967 with popular tracks such as "Seven Drunken Nights"—which sold over 250,000 copies in the UK—and "The Black Velvet Band." Although some of their politically charged songs led to controversy and an unofficial broadcasting ban by Ireland’s RTÉ from 1967 to 1971, their fanbase grew across Europe and the United States, including a notable performance on The Ed Sullivan Show. Collaborations with The Pogues in 1987 revitalized their presence on UK charts.
The Dubliners significantly contributed to bringing Irish folk music to a global audience and inspired groups like The Pogues, Dropkick Murphys, and Flogging Molly. Held in high esteem within Ireland, renditions of ballads by Drew and Kelly are frequently regarded as definitive interpretations. Celebrating five decades in 2012, they earned the distinction as Ireland’s longest-standing musical group. That same year, they were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards. After the passing of original member Barney McKenna, the band concluded its activities in autumn 2012. Some members continued performing under the name The Dublin Legends, with Sean Cannon remaining active as of 2024 following the retirements and deaths of other members.
Origins
Formed in 1962 as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group," The Dubliners first gained prominence through frequent gigs at O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin. The group’s name was changed after Ronnie Drew expressed dissatisfaction with the original title and Luke Kelly suggested adopting Dubliners inspired by the novel by James Joyce. Founding participants included Drew, Kelly, Ciarán Bourke, and Barney McKenna.
Initially, Drew, McKenna, and Thomas Whelan collaborated for a charity concert and subsequently performed in a theatrical revue alongside Irish comedian John Molloy at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin. Prior to committing full-time, Kelly performed at English folk venues such as Birmingham’s Jug o'Punch, which was managed by folk artist Ian Campbell.
Their appearance at the 1963 Edinburgh Festival led to a BBC feature on Hootenanny, raising their profile significantly and resulting in a recording contract with Transatlantic Records. Their debut album, titled The Dubliners, was released along with their first single featuring "Rocky Road to Dublin" and "The Wild Rover."
Group Members
Ronnie Drew, who developed expertise in Flamenco guitar during his stay in Spain, provided accompaniment using the Spanish guitar. He departed from the ensemble in 1974 due to personal family commitments and was succeeded by Jim McCann. Drew rejoined the group five years later before leaving once more in 1995. He passed away in 2008, after which Paddy Reilly took his place. Among Drew’s notable performances are the chart-topping "Seven Drunken Nights" and memorable versions of "Finnegan's Wake" and "McAlpine's Fusiliers."
Luke Kelly gained recognition as a ballad singer and five-string banjo player, delivering definitive interpretations of traditional tunes such as "The Black Velvet Band" and "Whiskey in the Jar", alongside modern compositions including Phil Coulter's "The Town I Loved So Well" and Ewan MacColl's "Dirty Old Town." After being diagnosed with a brain tumour in 1980, Kelly occasionally missed shows, with Seán Cannon stepping in during his absences. He continued touring until shortly before his death in 1984. His enduring impact is commemorated through the album Live in Carré (1983) and a bronze statue erected by Dublin city council in 2004.
Ciarán Bourke contributed vocals, guitar, and tin whistle performances, particularly focusing on Irish-language songs. Beginning in 1974, he suffered brain haemorrhages that left him partially paralysed; he was not formally replaced until his death in 1988.
John Sheahan and Bobby Lynch joined the band in 1964 after performing during concert intermissions. Lynch temporarily substituted for Kelly while he was in England but departed upon Kelly’s return. Sheahan remained a constant member, distinguished as the only one with formal musical training. Lynch died by suicide in 1982.
Subsequent Lineup Changes and Tours
Ronnie Drew exited the group once again in 1996 and was replaced by Paddy Reilly, a prominent solo artist in Ireland known for hits like "The Fields of Athenry" and "The Town I Loved So Well."
In 2005, following Reilly’s relocation to the United States, Patsy Watchorn, previously of The Dublin City Ramblers, joined the band. Watchorn, similar to Kelly, is a five-string banjo player.
The band maintained an annual touring schedule across Europe. After Barney McKenna’s passing on 5 April 2012, their planned Denmark tour continued with Irish banjo player Gerry O'Connor stepping in from the opening show on 18 April. Later that year, The Dubliners announced their retirement coinciding with their 50th anniversary celebrations at the end of 2012. Their final concerts were held at Vicar Street in Dublin from 28 to 30 December 2012. Their last UK television appearance occurred on a pre-recorded New Year’s Eve edition of Jools Holland Annual Hootenanny. The group’s ultimate public performance took place on 27 January 2013 as a tribute to McKenna.
25th Anniversary
In 1987, The Dubliners celebrated their 25th anniversary with a double CD produced by Eamonn Campbell, a long-term collaborator who also introduced them to The Pogues. Their collaborative single "The Irish Rover" achieved No. 8 on the UK charts and No. 1 in Ireland. In 1990, their final charting single "Jack's Heroes/Whiskey in the Jar," again featuring The Pogues, reached No. 63 in the UK and No. 4 in Ireland. Since then, Campbell has toured with the group as their guitarist.
The anniversary album included contributions from artists such as Christy Moore, Paddy Reilly, and Jim McCann. Moore offered a tribute to Luke Kelly, while McCann performed "I Loved the Ground She Walked Upon," composed by Phil Coulter and Ralph McTell. In 1988, coinciding with Dublin’s millennium celebrations, Raidió Teilifís Éireann produced an hour-long special titled The Dubliner's Dublin, showcasing the band’s deep ties to the city.
40th Anniversary
In 2002, The Dubliners briefly reunited with Ronnie Drew and Jim McCann to celebrate their 40th anniversary tour. Their appearances included Irish television performances, notably a collaboration with Phil Coulter and George Murphy broadcast on RTÉ 1.
Following the tour, Jim McCann was diagnosed with throat cancer. Although he overcame the illness, his vocal ability was significantly impaired, preventing him from continuing to sing. Nonetheless, he remained active as an MC at folk events, particularly at reunion concerts and the 2006 'Legends of Irish Folk' shows, where he also contributed guitar in the closing segment.
50th Anniversary
The band commemorated their 50th year in 2012 by embarking on a comprehensive European tour and issuing a live DVD recorded at Dublin’s Vicar Street. This release featured Chris Kavanagh from "The Legend of Luke Kelly" as a guest artist. Despite the passing of founding member Barney McKenna, the tour continued, culminating in final performances held from December 28 to 30 at Vicar Street. These concerts were announced as the band’s concluding shows, with former member Jim McCann returning to join them on stage.
Success
The Dubliners achieved recognition not only within Ireland but also as trailblazers of Irish folk music throughout Europe and, to a lesser degree, in the United States. Their 1967 singles "Seven Drunken Nights" and "The Black Velvet Band", released through Major Minor Records and promoted by pirate radio station Radio Caroline, secured spots within the UK Top 20 charts. Another single, "Maids When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man", reached number 43 in December of the same year. Their next appearance on UK charts occurred in 1987 via a collaboration with The Pogues.
In 1974, Ronnie Drew departed to focus on family commitments and was succeeded by Jim McCann. McCann gained recognition for his television program The McCann Man and his interpretations of songs such as "Carrickfergus" and "Four Green Fields". He remained with the group until 1979 before pursuing a solo career; subsequently, Ronnie Drew rejoined and recorded two songs in Norwegian with musicians from Bergen.
The Dubliners attracted admirers among renowned artists including Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Jimi Hendrix, and Nick Mason of Pink Floyd.
During the 1960s, their repertoire featured rebel songs like "The Old Alarm Clock" and "The Foggy Dew". However, due to the political sensitivities surrounding The Troubles, these were mostly removed from their setlists but were occasionally revived later. Their body of work also includes satirical protest pieces addressing nuclear armament ("The Button Pusher," "Protect and Survive"), feminist-themed songs ("Don't Get Married"), and socialist anthems ("Joe Hill").
On February 8, 2012, The Dubliners were honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards.
Members
- Ciarán Bourke – vocals, guitar, tin whistle (1962–73, 1973–74; guest – 1987; died 1988)
- Ronnie Drew – vocals, guitar (1962–74, 1979–95, 2002; guest – 1978, 2005; died 2008)
- Luke Kelly – vocals, banjo (1962–65, 1965–83; died 1984)
- Barney McKenna – Irish tenor banjo, mandolin, melodeon, vocals (1962–2012; died 2012)
- Bobby Lynch – vocals, guitar (1964–65; died 1982)
- John Sheahan – fiddle, mandolin, tin whistle, concertina (1964–2012)
- Jim McCann – vocals, guitar (1973, 1974–79, 1984, 1987, 2002; guest – 2009, 2011, 2012; died 2015)
- Seán Cannon – vocals, guitar (1982–2012)
- Eamonn Campbell – guitar, mandolin (1984, 1988–2012; died 2017)
- Paddy Reilly – vocals, guitar (1984, 1995–2005; guest – 2011)
- Patsy Watchorn – vocals, banjo, bodhrán, spoons (2005–2012)
- Gerry O'Connor – Irish tenor banjo (2005, 2012)
Guest contributors
- 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)
- Neill Martin – cello (2012)
- Christy Sheridan – Irish tenor banjo (2012)
Chronological overview
<timeline> ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:22 PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:20 Alignbars = justify DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy Period = from:01/01/1962 till:24/12/2012 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom ScaleMajor = increment:5 start:1962 ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1962
Colors =
id:Vocals value:red legend:Vocals id:Guitar value:green legend:Guitar id:Banjo value:limegreen legend:Banjo id:Fiddle value:skyblue legend:Fiddle id:Wind value:yellow legend:Wind_instruments id:Whistle value:tan2 legend:Tin_whistle id:bars value:gray(0.95)
BackgroundColors = bars:bars
BarData =
bar:Drew text:"Ronnie Drew" bar:Kelly text:"Luke Kelly" bar:Bourke text:"Ciarán Bourke" bar:Lynch text:"Bobby Lynch" bar:McCann text:"Jim McCann" bar:Cannon text:"Séan Cannon" bar:Reilly text:"Paddy Reilly" bar:Watchorn text:"Patsy Watchorn" bar:McKenna text:"Barney McKenna" bar:Sheahan text:"John Sheahan" bar:Campbell text:"Eamonn Campbell"
PlotData =
width:11 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(11,-4) bar:Drew from:01/01/1962 till:05/04/1974 color:Vocals bar:Drew from:30/06/1979 till:30/06/1995 color:Vocals bar:Drew from:01/01/2002 till:31/12/2002 color:Vocals bar:Drew from:01/01/1962 till:05/04/1974 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Drew from:30/06/1979 till:30/06/1995 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Drew from:01/01/2002 till:31/12/2002 color:Guitar width:3 bar:Kelly from:01/01/1962 till:30/06/1964 color:Vocals bar:Kelly from:30/06/1965 till:01/11/1983 color:Vocals bar:Kelly from:01/01/1962 till:30/06/1964 color:Banjo width:3 bar:Kelly from:30/06/1965 till:01/11/1983 color:Banjo width:3 bar:Bourke from:01/01/1962 till:05/04/1974 color:Vocals bar:Bourke from:01/01/1962 till:05/04/1974 color:Guitar width:7 bar:Bourke from:01/01/1962 till:05/04/1974 color:Wind width:5 bar:Bourke from:01/01/1962 till:05/04/1974 color:Whistle width=3 bar:Lynch from=30//06//1964 till=30//06//1965 color=Vocals bar:Lynch from=30//06//1964 till=30//06//1965 color=Guitar width=3 bar:Mccann from=05//04//1974 till=30//06//1979 color=Vocals bar:Mccann from=05//04//1974 till=30//06//1979 color=Guitar width=3 bar:Mccann from=01//01//2002 till=31//12//2002 color=Vocals bar:Mccann from=01//01//2002 till=31//12//2002 color=Guitar width=3 bar:Cannon from=01//11//1982 till=end color=Vocals bar:Cannon from=01//11//1982 till=end color=Guitar width=3 bar:Mckenna from=01//01//1962 till=05//04//2012 color=Banjo bar:Mckenna from=01//01//1962 till=05//04//2012 color=Wind width=3 bar:SHeahan from=30//06//1964 till=end color=Fiddle bar:SHeahan from=30//06//1964 till=end color=Whistle width=3 bar:CAMPBELL from=30//06//1987 till=end color=Guitar bar:RReilly from=30//06//1995 till=30//06//2005 color=Vocals bar:RReilly from=30//06//1995 till=30//06//2005 color=Guitar width=3 bar:PWatchornfrom=30//06//2005 till=end color=Vocals bar:PWatchornfrom=30//06//2005 till=end color=Banjo width=3
</timeline>
Line-ups
| 1962–64 | 1964–65 | 1965–73 | 1973 (Bourke temporarily absent due to illness) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
| 1973–74 | 1974–79 | 1979–82 | 1982–83 |
|
|
|
|
| 1983–88 | 1984 (RTÉ's Festival of Folk Concert) |
1988–95 | 1995–2005 |
|
|
* Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin |
* Barney McKenna - Irish tenor banjo ,mandolin ,melodeon ,vocals * John Sheahan - fiddle ,mandolin ,tin whistle ,concertina * Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin * Paddy Reilly - guitar and vocals |
| 2002 (40 Years Reunion Tour) |
2005–12 | 2012 | 2013–14 (As "The Dublin Legends") |
* Ronnie Drew - guitar and vocals * Barney McKenna - Irish tenor banjo ,mandolin ,melodeon ,vocals * John Sheahan - fiddle ,mandolin ,tin whistle ,concertina * Jim McCann - guitar and vocals * Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin * Paddy Reilly - guitar and vocals |
* Barney McKenna - Irish tenor banjo ,mandolin ,melodeon ,vocals * John Sheahan - fiddle ,mandolin ,tin whistle ,concertina * Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin * Patsy Watchorn- bodhrán and vocals |
* John Sheahan - fiddle ,mandolin ,tin whistle ,concertina * Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin * Patsy Watchorn - bodhrán and vocals |
* Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Gerry O'Connor- violin and Irish tenor banjo * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin * Patsy Watchorn - bodhrán and vocals |
| 2014–17 (As "The Dublin Legends") |
2017–present (As "The Dublin Legends") |
2020 (Reunion) | |
* Seán Cannon - guitar and vocals * Gerry O'Connor- violin and Irish tenor banjo * Eamonn Campbell - guitar and mandolin * Paul Watchorn- bodhrán and vocals |
* Seán Cannon - guitar,o. mando,and vocals * Gerry O'Connor- violin and Irish tenor banjo * Shay Kavanagh-guitar,vocals * Paul Watchorn-bodhrán,vocals |
* John Sheahan-fiddle,mando,tin whistle * Sean Cannon-guitar,vocals * Gerry O'Connor- violin and Irish tenor banjo * Shay Kavanagh-guitar,vocals * Paul Watchorn-bodhrán,vocals |
Discography
- Refer to: The Dubliners discography
Studio and Live Albums
- 1964 The Dubliners (Live recording)
- 1965 In Concert (Live)
- 1966 Finnegan Wakes (Live)
- 1967 A Drop of the Hard Stuff (also known as Seven Drunken Nights)
- 1967 More of the Hard Stuff
- 1968 Drinkin' and Courtin' (also titled I Know My Love)
- 1968 At It Again (also called Seven Deadly Sins)
- 1969 Live at the Albert Hall (Live)
- 1969 At Home with The Dubliners
- 1970 Revolution
- 1972 Hometown (Live)
- 1972 Double Dubliners (also released as Alive And Well)
- 1973 Plain and Simple
- 1974 Live (Live)
- 1975 Now
- 1976 A Parcel of Rogues
- 1977 Live at Montreux (Live)
- 1977 15 Years On
- 1979 Together Again
- 1983 21 Years On (Live)
- 1983 Prodigal Sons
- 1985 Live In Carré (Live)
- 1987 25 Years Celebration
- 1988 Dubliner's Dublin
- 1992 30 Years A-Greying
- 1996 Further Along
- 1997 Alive Alive-O (Live)
- 2002 40 Years (combines classic and recent tracks)
- 2002 Live From The Gaiety (Live)
- 2006 Live At Vicar Street (Live)
- 2008 The Late Late Show Tribute to The Dubliners (Recorded live in 1987, featuring guest artists)
- 2009 A Time to Remember (Live)
Compilation Albums
- 1967 The Best of The Dubliners
- 1969 It's The Dubliners
- 1969 A Drop of The Dubliners
- 1976 Drinking and Wenching [Covers material from 1967–1969]
- 1977 Home, Boys, Home
- 1978 20 Original Greatest Hits
- 1979 The Dubliners Collection
- 1981 20 Original Greatest Hits Volume 2
- 1981 18 Original Greatest Hits Volume 3
- 1986 Luke's Legacy
- 1992 Off to Dublin Green
- 1993 Original Dubliners
- 1995 Milestones
- 1997 The Definitive Transatlantic Collection
- 1998 At Their Best
- 1998 Ageless Classics – The Transatlantic Years Revisited
- 2000 Collection (reissued compilation)
- 2000 Definitive Dubliners
- 2002 The Best of The Dubliners
- 2002 The Transatlantic Anthology
- 2003 Spirit of the Irish
- 2005 Wild Irish Rovers
- 2006 The Dubliners Collection (reissued compilation)
- 2006 Too Late to Stop Now: The Very Best of the Dubliners
- 2009 The Very Best Of: The Dubliners
- 2010 The Very Best of the Original Dubliners
- 2011 Wild Rover
- 2012 50 Years
Video Releases
- 1984 The Dubliners – Visions of Ireland (re-released in 1991 as The Dubliners – Recorded Live in Dublin, and again in 1992 as The Dubliners – Live with Paddy Reilly and Jim McCann)
- 1987 The Late Late Show Tribute to The Dubliners
- 1989 The Dubliners Dublin
- 1998 O'Donoghue's Opera
- 1999 Luke – The Documentary
- 2002 40 Years: Live From The Gaiety (reissued in 2004 as both DVD/CD set titled The Dubliners – Live: Legends In Concert and simply as DVD/CD package called The Dubliners – Live)
- 2005 Five Beards on the Road (re-released in 2007 under the title On The Road – Live In Germany)
- 2005 Luke Kelly – The Performer
- 2005 The Dubliners Tour Sampler
- 2006 Live At Vicar Street
- 2008 The Dubliners – World Icons (two-disc DVD/CD compilation)
- 2012 50 Years – Celebration Concert in Dublin
Irish Singles Chart
- 1966 – "Nelson's Farewell" (peaked at No. 6)
- 1967 – "The Black Velvet Band" (reached No. 4)
- 1967 – All For Me Grog (attained No. 10)
- 1967 – "Seven Drunken Nights" (topped the chart at No. 1)
- 1968 – "Maids When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man" (positioned at No. 11)
- 1968 – "Dirty Old Town" (climbed to No. 10)
- 1971 – "Hand Me Down My Bible" (secured No. 7)
- 1971 – "Free the People" (also reached No. 7)
- 1986 – "Raglan Road" (charted at No. 30)
- 1987 – "Don't Get Married" (achieved No. 24)
- 1987 – "The Irish Rover" (hit No. 1)
- 1990 – "Jack's Heroes" (No. 4; collaboration with The Pogues)
- 1991 – "The Rose" (No. 2; featuring Hothouse Flowers)
- 1994 – "Red Roses for Me" (reached No. 13)
- 2008 – "The Ballad of Ronnie Drew" (No. 1; with U2)
- 2012 – "The Rocky Road to Poland" (No. 1 in Ireland; alongside Bressie and Damien Dempsey)
- 2013 – "The Auld Triangle" (No. 80; featuring Luke Kelly)
UK Singles Chart
- 1967 – "Seven Drunken Nights" (peaked at No. 7)
- 1967 – "The Black Velvet Band" (reached No. 15)
- 1967 – "Maids When You're Young Never Wed an Old Man" (attained No. 43)
- 1987 – "Irish Rover" (featuring The Pogues; climbed to No. 8)
- 1990 – "Jacks Heroes" (with The Pogues; charted at No. 63)