Luke Kelly
…in Tribute - The Irish Independent
Thursday, February 2, 1984
Big Dublin crowd mourn Luke
By WILLIE DILLON
BRAVING the damp, bitter cold, the people of Dublin came out in force last evening to bid a sad farewell to a favourite musical son.
The huge Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall, was not big enough to hold the throng of friends, colleagues and fans of singer Luke Kelly as his coffin was borne inside from the gathering dusk.
The remains were brought from the Richmond Hospital where the tousle-haired Dubliners' star died on Monday night.
As the rush-hour traffic sped past on the Swords Road, the coffin was carried into the church grounds behind a hearse by Luke's three brothers, John, Jimmy and Paddy, and fellow Dubliners' banjo player Barney McKenna.
Other mourners included Luke's widow, Deirdre O'Connell; his two sisters, Betty and Mona; and the other members of the group in which he shared the limelight for more than 20 years — Ronnie Drew, John Sheehan and newcomer Sean Cannon.
Also present was another founding member of the Dubliners - whistle player Ciaran Burke, who was himself a victim of serious illness some years ago, when a stroke forced him to retire.
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| Ciaran Burke at the removal of the remains of fellow Dubliner Luke Kelly at the Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall last night. |
HAPPINESS
The remains were received at the church door by the parish administrator, Rev. Thomas O'Keefe, who later told the huge congregation that Luke Kelly had brought joy and happiness to so many lives through his songs and music.
His singing had bound people together, broke down barriers and built friendships and camaraderie.
Father O'Keefe, who was accompanied on the altar by the parish priest, Auxiliary Bishop of Dublin, Most Rev. Dr. James Kavanagh, and five other priests, said this was an opportunity to thank God for the gifts He gave to Luke who used them so unselfishly for others.
The congregation was led in a decade of the Rosary in Irish by Bishop Kavanagh, who also blessed the coffin. The gospel was read by Rev Tom Stack. The other priests included Rev. Joe Coulter, brother of songwriter Phil Coulter, whose songs Luke helped to make famous.
Others who came to pay their respects included members of the Furey Brothers and the Wolfe Tones, singer Jim McCann, broadcaster Ciaran Mac Mathuna, actress Siobhan McKenna, Northern Ireland football star Pat Jennings, impresario Jim Hand, entertainers Joe Cuddy and David Beggs, and politicians Michael D. Higgins and Brendan Halligan.
Mourners lined up to sympathise with members of Luke's family and his close companion for several years, Madeleine Seiler, a native of Heidelberg, West Germany.
END OF AN ERA
Dubliners fiddle player John Sheehan recalled Luke's final performance with the group in the German city of Mannheim, in mid-November. He was forced to bow out after just four dates on a tour of Germany and the group had to carry on without him. "It's the end of an era," said John.
Ronnie Drew was in tears as he accepted the many expressions of grief and condolence. Among the large number of wreaths were ones from singer Paddy Reilly, impresario Noel Pearson, footballer Ray Treacy, Chieftains piper Paddy Moloney, Comhaltas Ceoitoiri Eireann and many folk clubs.
Many mourners exchanged fond recollections of Luke and the Dubliners during their early years and of mad music-filled nights spent with the group in different parts of the country, or abroad.
A final musical tribute to Luke will be paid during Requiem Mass at 10 o'clock this morning by an ensemble which will include pipers Finbar Furey, Liam O'Flynn and Peter Browne. A short instrumental medley will incorporate two of Luke's best loved songs, "The Town I Loved So Well" and "Raglan Road."
Following the Mass, Luke Kelly will be buried in Glasnevin Cemetery.
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