Dublin City Ramblers

All Music Guide:

The Dublin City Ramblers' roots go back to the mid-'60s, when the original members first got together using the name the Jolly Tinkers. That wasn't distinctive enough, however, and in 1968 they changed their name to the Quare Fellas. The group's lineup at the time consisted of Patsy Watchorn, brothers Sean McGuinness and Matt McGuiness, and Pat Cummins. They recorded two albums, At Home and A Fond Tale for the CBS label, losing Pat Cummins between the two -- he was replaced by Brendan Leeson. But the Quare Fellas broke up in 1970, and Watchorn, Sean McGuinness, Mick Crotty, and Kevin Geraghty formed the Dublin City Ramblers out of the wreckage of the first group. This lineup recorded the Ramblers' first album, A Nation Once Again, in 1972. When Crotty and Gerahty left in 1977, they were succeeded by Philip McCaffrey (fiddle) and Kevin Molloy (guitar, vocals). This lineup released seven albums, and represented the band's most successful incarnation, generating the hits "The Rare Ould Times" and "Flight of Earls," among others. McCaffrey and Molloy left in 1988 and the group entered a transitional period, in which ex-Barleycorn member Paddy Sweeney joined for one album (Home and Away, 1989). Next up was a concert recording, Live at Johnny Fox's Pub, which had Shay Kavanagh added to the group. This lineup also recorded The Craic, which marked the end of Patsy Watchorn's time with the band. He pursued a solo career for a time, before joining the Dubliners. The group was reduced to a trio for the next few years but maintained a heavy touring schedule that included regular appearances in the United States. The exit of Sweeney and Kavanagh led to a more fluid lineup in the years that followed, with Sean McGuinness at the core of the Dublin City Ramblers as they headed toward their 40th anniversary.

Wikipedia:

The Dublin City Ramblers are an Irish folk band.

Early history

The Dublin City Ramblers began life in the mid 60s as the Jolly Tinkers, but due to the existence of ballad groups with same name, they decided to change their name to the Quare Fellas. At this time the line up consisted of Patsy Watchorn, brothers Sean and Matt McGuinness and Pat Cummins. While the group recorded the two albums At Home and A Fond Tale on the CBS label, they considered themselves part-time musicians. Pat Cummins left the band between the first and second CBS album and was replaced by Brendan Leeson.

1970s

In 1970, the Quare Fellas disbanded and The "Dublin City Ramblers" were formed, with Patsy Watchorn, Sean McGuinness, Mick Crotty and Kevin Gerahty. This line up lasted until approximately 1977.

When both Mick Crotty and Kevin Gerahty left the group in 1972, Philip "the horse" McCaffrey (fiddle) and Kevin Molloy (guitar and vocals), came on board. The four piece of Patsy, Sean, Philip and Kevin went on to have a Top 10 hit album with their 1972 album A Nation Once Again. This was to be the group's most prolific period (releasing seven albums) with what would be known as The Dublin City Ramblers "original" and best-known line-up and also (arguably) the band's most successful period.

In 1978 the band released their (and the country's) most controversial album called "Irish Republican Jail songs", which included songs such as "Our lads in Crumlin Jail" and "Over the Wall". The most controversial was "19 Men", which was about the Provisional IRA's successful attempt to break free from Portlaoise Prison. The Gardai and soldiers, it seems, were a few seconds behind the escapees. On this same album, fiddle player Philip "the horse" McCaffrey took his first ever lead vocal with the band. However, It wasn't the only song he ever recorded and sang live with the band. The first song he ever recorded was called "Bring them home", about the Price Sisters' hunger strike and campaign to be repatriated to a prison in Northern Ireland. He also sang The Ballad of "Tom Williams" and "Our Lads in Crumlin Jail" on the same album. This album was branded as "ludicrous and full of delusion" by a then member of Dáil Eireann in the same year, 1978.

1980s

Between 1980 and 1987 The Dublin City Ramblers scored most of their hits, beginning with "The Rare Ould Times" through "Flight Of Earls" "John O'Dreams" to "The Punch and Judy Man," "The Ferryman," and others. In 1981 the band recorded an original ballad called "The Ballad of Bobby Sands, MP". They also had an international success with their rendition of the folk tale "Wind in the Willows" in 1984.

The band released an entire original album in 1987, called "The Flight of Earls" (written by Liam Reilly of Bagatelle) and although the album included foot tapping ballads such as "The Whistling Gypsy", "Right, all Right", "Botany Bay" and "The Dublin Rambler", this album was steeped so much in sadness, emigration and it was seen as their most melancholic, as the mid and late 80s were times of recession, loss and emigration in the Irish Republic. The album also included Phil Coulter's "Steal Away" and originals by The Dublin City Ramblers, "Farewell to Carlingford" and "Sailing Home".

In 1988 & 1990, The Dublin City Ramblers released both the Irish Football teams "European Championships (1988)" and World Cup (1990)" Anthem "We are the boys in Green" Patsy sang on both versions and lyrics did change between the Germany 88 campaign and Italia 90 campaign. Patsy, Sean, Phil & Kevin also played at The Irish football team's homecoming after party in July 1990, and Jack Charlton said "These guys (DCRs) are the real champions.. I've heard them on the radio, On the team bus and now we have the privilage of having them play here tonight. Thank you guys, or ramblers even, and keep up the great work both at "Home and Away".

In 1989, both Philip "the horse" McCaffrey and Kevin Molloy left the band, and Paddy Sweeney (formerly of the Barleycorn) stepped in and one album resulted, Home and Away. The Dublin City Ramblers then went on to call their next album "Home & Away" which included more original material like, "Dublin is Me" "Danny Farrell" "Wheel the perambulator, John" and the wintery classic "A Children's Winter"

1990s and after

Shay Kavanagh joined in 1992 and this line up (Patsy, Sean, Paddy & Shay) released Recorded Live at Johnny Fox's Pub and The Craic and Porter Black, the latter being one of their better albums — a very pleasant excursion through some of the best known Irish pub songs.

Unfortunately, The Craic was to be Patsy Watchorn's swan song, as he left the band in 1995 to pursue a solo career. He joined The Dubliners in 2005, taking Paddy Reilly's place.

Sean, Paddy and Shay continued to maintain a heavy touring schedule at home and in the U.S. and released two albums, Raise The Roof (1997) and On Holy Ground (2000). In 1998 this formation went on to record an album and single called "Raise the Roof". It was recorded at Lynnwood recording studios at Lynn Cross, Mullingar, owned and run by Jimmy and Tommy Swarbrigg (of Irish Eurovision fame). In 2000, The Dublin City Ramblers released "The Rare Oul' Times" Millenium E.P. It included 3 of The Ramblers' original earlier singles "The Rare Ould Times" " Sailing Home" and "The Flight of Earls" It entered the Irish charts at 28, and the week after, it remained at Number 22 for 3 weeks before leaving the Top 30 album charts 6 weeks later.

In 2002, both Paddy Sweeney and Shay Kavanagh left the group. Since then there has been a seemingly endless revolving door of new members including Pierce McAllorum, Stephen Leeson, Derrick Keane and others.

In the last ten to twelve years the Dublin City Ramblers still carry on and tour, but only as a three piece and with only one original member, Sean McGuinness. Patsy is now the lead vocalist with The Dubliners, playing alongside John Sheahan, Eammonn Campbell and Sean Cannon. Phil "the Horse" McCaffrey went on to join very successful acts, including "The Legends of Tara". He still plays the fiddle and works endlessly on worthwhile projects.

Select discography

The Quare Fellahs

The Dublin City Ramblers