Luke Kelly

Luke Kelly (17 November 1940 – 30 January 1984) was an Irish singer, folk musician and actor from Dublin, Ireland. Born into a working-class household in Dublin city, Kelly moved to England in his late teens and by his early 20s had become involved in a folk music revival. Returning to Dublin in the 1960s, he is noted as a founding member of the band The Dubliners in 1962. Known for his distinctive singing style, and sometimes political messages, the Irish Post and other commentators have regarded Kelly as one of Ireland's greatest folk singers. 🎤🎶

His interpretations of “On Raglan Road” and "Scorn Not His Simplicity" became significant points of reference in Irish folk music, and while there are many versions of Raglan Road - nobody comes close to Luke Kelly's version. His version of "Raglan Road" came about when the poem's author, Patrick Kavanagh, heard him singing in a Dublin pub, and approached Kelly to say that he should sing the poem (which is set to the tune of “The Dawning of the Day”)🌅

Great podcast about the man on three castles burning here: 

https://threecastlesburning.libsyn.com/luke-kelly