Tribute was paid to the late folk legend Ronnie Drew at the launch of his final musical ambition “The Last session: A Fond Farewell” tonight.
Speaking at the event in O’Donoghues bar on Dublin’s Merrion Row, Dave Kavanagh, chairman of Celtic Collections, said: "The fact we had to turn people away is an amazing reflection of the impact Ronnie had on so many peoples lives."
The album is a great record and a great musical epitaph to a great man, he added.
Ronnie’s son Phelim Drew said: “Dad revelled in the affirmation of applause and having a large audience, I don’t think he would have been disappointed with tonight."
Speaking to The Irish Times, songwriter and broadcaster Shay Healy, a close friend of Drew's for 40 years, recounted memories of Drew in O'Donoghues bar.
“The Dubliners once set out from this pub on their way to a gig in Galway, with Ronnie making a rule as they left: 'no stopping before Chapelizod'."
Mr Healy described Drew as not just a great writer of folk songs, but a comedian and an actor, a man with great taste who could engage with anyone.
Recalling Drew’s kindness, Mr Healy said: “When I got married in 1967, Ronnie gave me 2/6d for the wedding. At his wake, I slipped the money into his coffin in case he needed to buy a pint on his way to heaven."
The Dubliners’ John Sheahan also recalled some funny memories of fellow band member.
“We were ready to go on stage at a gig in the Gleneagle in Killarney, but there was no sign of Ronnie. Suddenly an American tourist popped through the door saying ‘I’m here to deliver your leader’. Ronnie had picked up the hitchhiker earlier in the day on the condition that the hitchhiker drive as Ronnie had had a few jars”.
The album, made hust three months before Drew died of cancer, goes on sale tomorrow and features duets with well-known musicians Damien Dempsey, Mary Couglan and Emmanuel Lawlor.