Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)

Subject: Obit: Dermot O'Brien.
From: Brakn
Date: 22 May 07 - 01:06 PM

It is reported that Dermot O'Brien died this morning. See here.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien.
From: Shaneo
Date: 22 May 07 - 01:29 PM

Sad to hear of this. he wrote Dublin Town In 1962 , had a big hit with 'The Merry Ploughboy' and was the only man ever to win two all Ireland medals in the same day, one for playing the accordion , and one for playing football for Louth. Dermot had a mighty impact on the folk/ballad scene in Ireland from the 60s.
Rest in peace Dermot. [turfman from Ardee]

Martin

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 May 07 - 01:30 PM

Sounds like he was an interesting person - an accomplished singer and footballer, with a love of the Irish language.
May he rest in peace.
-Joe-

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: Beer
Date: 22 May 07 - 02:34 PM

Very sad. Love his songs.
Beer
(adrien)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: Brakn
Date: 22 May 07 - 03:29 PM

I met him a couple of times; once in New Jersey and a couple of years ago in Manchester. What a nice man.

Great songs; The Old Claddagh Ring, The Galway Shawl, The Rocks Of Bawn and too many more to mention.

The Merry Ploughboy even crept into the lower regions of the English charts for a couple weeks in 1966.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: An Buachaill Caol Dubh
Date: 23 May 07 - 10:36 AM

Given that among its lyrics are "I'm off to join the I.R.A.,/And I leave tomorrow morn", it's likely that if it were composed now it would be banned in Blair's Britain. Oh well; they'll all be off to Dublin in the black on "Failte Isteach" this Saturday.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: GUEST,Bobby O'Brien
Date: 24 May 07 - 10:25 PM

Dermot played accordion on my latest CD release (2004). Shortly after, his lovely wife died. Shortly after that, Dermot was diagnosed with lung cancer. Sad ending of a legend. So many of his songs have become standards. Among them "There Has To Be An End To it Someday", "Farewell to Galway", "The Waterford Girls", and "Over The Hills to County Mayo".
You could drop a needle on any irish LP from the 1970s and recognize that it was Dermot producting it instantly. He produced albums for Dermot Henry, Margo, Kathleen Largey, Larry Cunningham, Dermot Hegarty, Betty Reilly and The Escorts, and countless others.
"...and I hope to meet in future years the Turfman from Ardee"

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: Beer
Date: 24 May 07 - 11:09 PM

I don't know all your buddies that you mention GUEST,Bobby O'Brien but my heart is with you. I love his songs and you have been a very fortunate man to have had the pleasure of knowing him and being a friend.
Beer (adrien)

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: ard mhacha
Date: 25 May 07 - 03:37 PM

Dermot won an All-Ireland medal with the `wee`County Louth in 1957, there first win from 1910, a terrific result and captained by Dermot.
He proved himself no mean entertainer when he topped the Irish charts with the Merry Ploughboy , God rest his Soul a `wee County legend.

Subject: RE: Obit: Dermot O'Brien (22 May 2007)
From: GUEST,Eileen
Date: 26 May 07 - 05:17 PM

I had the pleasure of seeing Dermot many times in London - the man could play anything! About six years ago I bumped into him in Savannah Georgia where he was going to perform at the Tara Feis for St. Patrick's Day - he was indeed (but not suprisingly) - amazing. Fingers like lightning - but made it look so easy. May he rest in peace,