Tributes paid to music collector and renowned Dublin balladeer

Tributes have been paid to the renowned Dublin singer and music collector Frank Harte who died this week aged 72.

The removal takes place tomorrow at the Church of Nativity, Chapelizod, Dublin, at 5.30pm, while his funeral takes place on Friday after 11am Mass to Mount Jerome Crematorium.

A retired architect, Harte was well-known for his rendition of Dublin street ballads and his huge collection of songs and old recordings, which filled the shelves of his cottage home in Chapelizod.

His own recordings including And Listen to My Song, 1798 - The First Year of Liberty, and My Name is Napoleon Bonaparte, for which he collaborated with Donal Lunny.

He had been working before his death on a production about the Famine entitled Great Hunger, and had just finished recording a series of "navvies' songs" for the CD last week.

Mary Cloake, director of the Arts Council described Harte as "a national treasure" who was revered by the singing community and hugely appreciated by all who came in contact with him. "Frank Harte made an extraordinary contribution to the Irish song tradition. He spoke in his own unique voice and accent - in the vernacular and his delivery of an extensive repertoire of songs, and the stories behind them, was an inspiration to many," she said.

"Frank was also a notable scholar of the Irish song tradition and was a dedicated collector of songs during his lifetime. His enduring legacy will be his vast archive of songs."

Music producer Philip King said singers from around the world used to beat a path to his home, which was "an Aladdin's cave of song".

Mr King described how singers such Mary Black and Christy Moore would call in regularly to check lyrics or discuss lost tunes.