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focus theatre

Irish Theater Loses a Voice

By Irish America Staff
August / September 2001

August 1, 2001 by Leave a Comment

The creative community suffered a grievous loss when actor, drama teacher, artistic director and founder of the Focus Theatre in Dublin, Deirdre O'Connell, died at her home in Dublin on June 9. Born to Irish immigrants – her mother was from Cork, her father from Sligo – in the Bronx, New York in 1939, Deirdre was encouraged by her parents in her desire to act from an early … [Read more...] about Irish Theater Loses a Voice

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November 16, 1939

Luke Kelly, musician and founder of The Dubliners was born on this day in Dublin in 1939. Kelly grew up in a working class family. At the age of thirteen he left school and went to England where he worked in building. He was fired and continued living in England while working various odd jobs. As the folk revival began to take form in England, Kelly began memorizing songs in addition to learning the banjo. He began performing in public. He returned to Dublin in 1962 and joined a ballad tour with the Ronnie Drew Ballad Group. At his suggestion, the group renamed themselves The Dubliners. Kelly also had a solo career. His rendition of “The Rocky Road to Dublin” is best remembered.

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