He died in hospital in Kilkenny where had been living for some years. Here's an interview from 2004 which appeared in the RTÉ Guide:

http://www.rteguide.ie/star_of_the_day.html


Now in Kilkenny, it is reported
There are marble stones as black as ink

With gold and silver I would transport her
But I'll sing no more now till I get a drink
I'm drunk today but I'm seldom sober
A handsome rover from town to town 

Ah, but I'm sick now, my days are over 

Come all ye young lads, and lay me down