Dublin City Ramblers

The Dublin City Ramblers are an Irish folk band.

In the mid-1960s the original members formed a group called the Jolly Tinkers, which became the Quare Fellas in 1968. The group's lineup at the time consisted of Patsy Watchorn, brothers Sean McGuinness and Matt McGuiness, and Pat Cummins (later replaced by Brendan Leeson).^[1]

The Quare Fellas broke up in 1970, and Watchorn, Sean McGuinness, Mick Crotty, and Kevin Geraghty formed the Dublin City Ramblers, who recorded their first album, A Nation Once Again, in 1972.^[2]

When Crotty and Gerahty left in 1977, they were succeeded by Philip McCaffrey (fiddle) and Kevin Molloy (guitar, vocals). They had hits with songs such as "Dublin in the Rare Old Times" and "The Ferryman", both of which were written by Pete St. John,^[1] and "Dublin in my Tears", written by Brendan Phelan.

Phil McCaffrey and Kevin Molloy left in 1988. The Dublin City Ramblers then recruited in Paddy Sweeney and Paddy became part of the now "3 piece" with Patsy & Séan until they were joined a few years later by Shay Kavanagh on guitars. (See Dublin city Ramblers - Live at Johnny Fox's)

In 1995, Patsy Watchorn made his exit from the band to pursue a solo career and to go and release numerous solo albums both at national and international levels. The Dublin city Ramblers remained to tour and welcomed a young man on board named Brendan Doyle on fiddle. The first sound of sweet fiddle to come into the band since Phil "The Horse" McCaffrey left the band 7 years earlier in 1988. The only original "Rambler" Séan McGuinness took to lead vocals more often with Paddy Sweeney adding to the lot. In the mid 90's The Dublin City Ramblers were touring as much as before, yet with just one original remaining, the demand was in all huge for them to play live both "Home and Away" In 1997, This 4 piece, went on to record an album and single called "Raise the Roof" It was recorded at Lynnwood recording studios at Lynn Cross, Mullingar. This studio is owned and run by Jimmy & Tommy Swarbrigg (Irish Eurovision Entry)

In the last 10 to 12 years the Dublin city Ramblers still carry on and tour, but only as a 3 piece and still with only 1 original exister. Mr. Séan McGuinness still flying the Dublin flag. Patsy is now the Lead Vocalist with The Dubliners, playing alongside original dubliners John Sheahan & Barney McKenna, with Eammonn Campbell & Séan McCann playing guitars since the mid 80's.

The Legend of The Dublin City Ramblers will Never be forgotten, and a quarter of the original four piece is making sure of that. From Patsy's Full on balladeer vocals to Séan's strong string capabilities.

Select discography

The Quare Fellahs

• At Home (1969 CBS)
• A Fond Tale (1970 CBS)

The Dublin City Ramblers

• A Nation Once Again (1972)
• Irish Republican Jail Songs
• DCR's Live in Dublin
• The Flight of Earls
• Craic & the porter black
• Home and Away (1989)
• Live at Johnny Fox's Pub
• Raise the Roof (Lynwood Records, 1997)
• Ireland My Ireland (Lynnwood Records, 2003)
• Sing along with The DCR's

References

1. ^ ^{a b} Dublin City Ramblers history
2. ^ Dublin City Ramblers site