Ronnie Drew & the
Town He Loved So Well
words by Paul Byrne
To quote one of The Dubliners' old hits, he's a man you don't meet every day...
Unless, of course, you happened to live in Greystones, Ronnie Drew's adopted home after marrying Deirdre McCartan, a local, and setting up their family home on Killincarrig Road in 1971. This was his place (almost) in the country, where this world-famous singer could retreat and recover after a yet another strenuous tour
It didn't take long for the great man to settle into life Greystones, Ronnie Drew becoming very much a local, a man you could actually meet every day, as he went about his regular walks up the town. Greystones was a refuge from a life on the road, at times a playground and a base from which to travel the back roads of Wicklow to enjoy the scenery and reset
He loved the countryside and here he pursued his interest in horses, which brought him into contact with many people who would become lifelong friends. Years of being accosted by strangers as though he was their bestest drinking pal in the world meant Ronnie had developed the kind of swift swerving skills that the Irish rugby team could only dream of, but those who knew the man well knew he had a big heart.
Ronnie South Beach Greystones
Ronnie and Deirdre Drew
Ronnie Drew and the kids
The Drews opened their doors and welcomed a steady stream of colourful friends throughout the years but especially around Christmas, with sessions around the fire featuring flamenco dancers, Italian classical pianists, magicians, banjo players, fellow folkies and that elderly couple they met one time on a train in Madrid.
It was an approach to life that was reflected in the man's work too Ronnie Drew was able to embrace the many hits, myths and legendary nights he had with The Dubliners whilst also constantly looking ahead, searching, exploring, restlessly seeking out some new sensations to play alongside old favourites like The Wild Rover, Seven Drunken Nights, Waltzing Matilda, and on, and on...
If you should meet Ronnie down on Church Road, heading up to Charlie’s veg shop for some rare some ingredients or popping into The Burnaby for afternoon tea, he was more than happy to share stories from his travels whether it was working with former Public Image Limited bassist Jah Wobble or finding a whole new lease of fame on Top Of The Pops, belting out The Irish Rover alongside his young pretender, Shane MacGowan.
The past was important to Ronnie Drew, but it was always what tomorrow might bring that interested him most. That, and what sort of crack he could get up to today There was plenty of it that went on up in Benevenagh, on Killincarrig Road, with Ronnie and Deirdre the perfect hosts, grounded and generous; Ireland's answer to Johnny Cash and June Carter.
Concert for Ronnie Drew with Bono, The Edge, Andrea Corr & Sinead O'Connor
Save Greystones Harbour Streets of Dublin
Shane MacGowan & Ronnie Drew
That both of these beautiful people passed away within a year or so of one another –Deirdre on June 7th, 2007, Ronnie on August 16th, 2008 – felt like the end of an era, and in some ways it was Not just for Irish music, but, for Greystones They left behind some wonderful music, and memories of magic and mischief as well as two proud children, Cliodhna and Phelim.
So, when you get a chance today, raise a toast, and maybe even sing a little song. It's what Ronnie would have wanted
Ronnie Drew & Rory Gallagher
Ronnie & Phelim Drew
The Dubliners (1960s)
The Dubliners
Ronnie Drew