Well Ronnie Drew has died.  He didn’t have the voice of an angel, indeed, it has been given a number of unkind descriptions in its time - I think somebody once described it as the noise a piece of broken glass would make if it was caught under a door as the door was being opened.

However, he was a man of his time.  A folk singer when folk singing was in its prime.  Ronnie and the rest of the Dubliners embodied the whole culture of hard drinking troubadors of exceptional talent.  For instance,Drew emigrated to Spain in the 1950s to teach English, learn Spanish and Flamenco guitar.  Quite a progressive thing to do in 1950s Ireland.

I saw him a few years ago at the races in Fairyhouse.  He walked out onto a balcony for a smoke and half the racegoers turned to see him.

Anyway, here is Ronnie in his pomp.