STATEMENT BY AODHÁN Ó RÍORDÁIN TD
Labour Party TD for Dublin North Central
Thursday, 5th April 2012
BARNEY McKENNA A PROUD SON OF DONNYCARNEY
Ó Ríordáin Pays Tribute to Famous Dubliner
It was with great sadness that I learnt today of the passing of the great Barney McKenna, the legendary banjo player from 'The Dubliners'.
It is especially poignant to think that the Dubliners are celebrating 50 years this year and recently were commemorated with a tree-planting ceremony in Fairview Park last month by Dublin City Council.
I first met Barney McKenna when he played for local schoolchildren and parents in a Luke Kelly memorial concert in Sheriff Street in 2004. His good-humour and musical talent was a joy to behold for the entire evening.
His Donnycarney origins are a source of great local pride and it will be fitting in the coming months to remember Barney and his legacy locally in the area where he first learnt his love of music. Legend has it that he turned to the banjo in his early years because he couldn't afford to buy a mandolin!
I wish to extend my sympathies to his partner, his family and his colleagues in the Dubliners at this sad time.
ENDS
Welcome to the blog of Aodhán Ó Ríordáin TD, Dublin North Central
About Me
- Aodhán Ó Ríordáin:
- Politicised by his experiences as a teacher in Sheriff Street, Aodhán was first elected to Dublin City Council for the North Inner City Ward in'04. Re-elected with a huge vote in the Clontarf Ward in '09, Aodhán is a consistant advocate of the most vulnerable in society with a track record of strong representation and practical solution-driven politics. In the 2011 General Election, Aodhán was one of 17 new Labour TDs elected to serve in Dáil Éireann.
Aodhán With Cllr Jane Horgan Jones
Launching Michael D.'s Irish Poster