I adored her voice from the first time I ever heard her sing in the Abbey Tavern, in Howth, Co. Dublin, back in the 1960's (and much to my regret it was the only time I heard her sing "live") and I used to look forward to her singing with Jesse Owens on RTE TV and later on, singing on TV with her husband, Paddy Roche. It was such a pity that she decided to retire from singing to raise her family and such a desperate loss to the Irish folk scene.

I am so very sorry to hear that she is now having to contend with depression. The purity and clarity of her voice was amazing. She was Ireland's magnificent answer to Joan Baez (whom I have also heard singing "live") but, unfortunately, was never recognised as such. While I also admire Baez's singing, I have always maintained that, of the two, Anne Byrne's voice was by far the better voice. She had a unique way of causing her listeners to fall in love not only with her singing, but also with every song that she sang.

It's lovely to know that there are other Anne Byrne fans in the world, who have not forgotten her, despite the passage of time. I fervently hope that she will once again grace the folk world with her wonderful singing and I send my very best wishes to her and will pray that she will soon return to a much happier state.

I also send my best wishes and thanks to Wolfgang, mg, Árd Mhaca, Don Meixner, scowie, Mariner, and of course also to her husband Paddy, for all their posts which has resulted in this up to date news of Anne.
Best Regards,
Anne XX