Updated 11.53am
FORMER MEMBER OF The Dubliners Eamonn Campbell has passed away at the age of 70.
Campbell, who was originally from Drogheda in Louth, officially joined the Dubliners in the 1980s.
He passed away peacefully surrounded by his family yesterday after a short illness in the Netherlands, friends said.
Starting his career over 50 years ago, Campbell came to prominence as a guitarist with Dermot O’Brien and His Clubmen in the 60s. His family said he became the go-to session guitar player in Ireland and played on countless recording sessions.
It was his playing on the Irish Rover by the Dubliners and the Pogues that saw him invited to join the former as a guitarist on a full-time basis.
A statement from The Dublin Legends, a group Campbell had been performing with, read: “We are very sad and devastated to announce that our friend and colleague Eamonn Campbell has died after a short illness.
“Eamonn was a true Legend and brilliant guitar player. He passed away peacefully surrounded by his wife and family. He will be greatly missed by all his friends and fans around the world. We are heartbroken and we thank you all for your thoughts and prayers at this time.”
Sean Cannon, singer with The Dublin Legends, said: “I am devastated. We have spent the last 30 years together touring and playing concerts. He was a great player with a great feel for Irish music.”
President Michael D Higgins said that it was with “great sadness” that he learned of Campbell’s death.
Higgins said: “He will also be missed by those, in Ireland and further afield, who continue to enjoy his voice and his music, with The Dubliners, when Sabina and I met him so often.”
Eamonn is survived by his wife Noreen and children, Paddy, Eamonn Jr, Emma-Jane, Ciara and Niamh and by his grandchildren.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later stage.
With reporting from Sean Murray
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