Singer, Folk Musician. He is best known as a member of the Irish band The Dubliners. Born into a working class family, he began his music career in England in 1960. When he returned to Dublin in 1962, he, Ronnie Drew, Ciaran Bourke, and others formed The Dubliners. Kelly played the banjo and sang lead vocals for the group, but left in 1964 only to return two years later. Some of the band's songs, with Kelly singing the vocals, included "The Town I Loved So Well," "On Ragland Road," "The Black Velvet Band," "Scorn Not His Simplicity," and others. The Dubliners recorded many albums and enjoyed international acclaim. In 1980, Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor that, despite treatment, finally led to his death in 1984. His headstone in Glasnevin Cemetery reads simply: "Luke Kelly, Dubliner." Today, Kelly's music is regarded by many as one of Dublin's cultural treasures.
Singer, Folk Musician. He is best known as a member of the Irish band The Dubliners. Born into a working class family, he began his music career in England in 1960. When he returned to Dublin in 1962, he, Ronnie Drew, Ciaran Bourke, and others formed The Dubliners. Kelly played the banjo and sang lead vocals for the group, but left in 1964 only to return two years later. Some of the band's songs, with Kelly singing the vocals, included "The Town I Loved So Well," "On Ragland Road," "The Black Velvet Band," "Scorn Not His Simplicity," and others. The Dubliners recorded many albums and enjoyed international acclaim. In 1980, Kelly was diagnosed with a brain tumor that, despite treatment, finally led to his death in 1984. His headstone in Glasnevin Cemetery reads simply: "Luke Kelly, Dubliner." Today, Kelly's music is regarded by many as one of Dublin's cultural treasures.
Bio by: William Allen Veselik
Gravesite Details
s/o Luke & Julia (Luke Kelly was a member of the famous group called the Dubliners)
Family Members
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