Friends bid farewell to Drew

Updated 09.18 Wed Aug 20 2008

Keywords: The Dubliners, Ireland, funeral, Ronnie Drew

Musicians and friends have paid their respects to The Dubliners musician Ronnie Drew at a funeral service in Ireland.

At least 1,500 mourners - including Shane McGowan from The Pogues and U2 manager Paul McGuinness - attended the funeral ceremony in Greystones, County Wicklow, for the folk legend, who died aged 73.

The service opened with a New Orleans-style jazz hymn and a small screen was set up in the parish hall to relay the service to hundreds of people

Members of The Dubliners, Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains, blues musician Don Baker, songwriter Phil Coulter and singers Mary Coughlan and Eleanor Shanley all performed during the one-hour ceremony.

The service opened with a New Orleans-style jazz hymn and a small screen was set up in the parish hall to relay the service to hundreds of people.

Many also gathered around the outside of the Church of the Holy Rosary to listen through speakers.

Drew's wife Deirdre, died last year. The couple, who were married for more than 40 years, lived in Greystones.

He is survived by his two children and five grandchildren.