Ní bheidh a leitheidí ann arís
Dermot O'Brien 1933-2007
A sense of great sadness descended over West Kerry as word came that renowned Louth musician and footballer, Dermot O'Brien had passed away in his home at Ardee on Tuesday May 22nd. Dermot, Louth's 1957 All-Ireland winning captain, was known well known throughout this country, Europe and the US as musician of great renown, but he also came to be regarded as an adopted West Kerry man. Dermot loved Dingle and West Kerry and spent as much time in the area as he possibly could. His death sent a shock wave throughout the Dingle Peninsula, where he came to be known and loved as one of their own.
As a young man, Dermot first came to prominence as a footballer with his native Louth. A member of the St Mary's club in Ardee, he won three Louth Senior Football championship medals in 1951, 1956 and 1960 and also played for one year with Navan O Mahony's. In 1953, he won a Leinster Senior Championship medal as part of the Louth team that defeated Wexford in the Leinster final. In 1957, he won his second Leinster Championship medal when Louth defeated Dublin in the Leinster final, and in September of that year lifted the Sam Maguire, the only Louth Captain ever to do so. A great lover of the Irish language, Dermot delivered his All-Ireland winning speech as gaeilge, a precursor for his love affair with Corca Dhuibhne Gaeltacht.
Dermot moved on to his other great love in life, music, in the 1960's. He was a gifted accordian player and his recording of 'The Merry Ploughboy' went to number one in the Irish Charts in 1966. Dermot also hosted several TV shows including the 'The Dermot O'Brien Show' on RTÉ television and his talents as an accordion player were respected the world over with the release of many albums.
It was music that lead Dermot to Dingle in 1974 when the Hillgrove Hotel first opened. The ballroom scene was just about over and Dermot performed a special cabaret show at the Spa Room in the hotel. The show proved to be a great success and Dermot continued to come to Dingle during the summer and the winter months, appealing to local sensibilities with his unique mix of traditional, country and old-time music. Dermot and the people of Dingle began a romance which would last a life-time. He had a special love for country music and always played a Johnny Cash and a Buck Owens tribute as part of his set. He also wrote the Connemara Rose with renowned sports commentator Jimmy Magee, one of his close friends.
Dermot's success also brought him to the USA where he became well-known in many of the Irish cities of New York, Boston, Chicago and Philadelphia. He was also a welcome guest at the John-Boyle O'Reilly Hall in Springfield, Massachusetts, a West Kerry stronghold. Even when he crossed the Atlantic, he kept a connection with West Kerry going. He also appeared on American television with both Bing Crosby and Ed Sullivan. Dermot once shared the stage with Johnny Cash and Bill Haley and the Comets.
Dermot came to West Kerry whenever he could and would often play an impromptu gig in the likes of Paidí Ó'Sé's Pub in Ventry, Scanlons in Baile an Lochaigh or in the Droichead Beag in Dingle. Lord Bakers on Main St was one of his most favourite places and the proprieator John Moriarty became one of his closet friends. Other friends in the West included Paidí Ó'Sé, Jackie MacGearailt and Dr. Jim Brosnan to name but a few.
He has a wonderful ability to get the crowd moving and on their feet and his vibrancy and joie-de-vie was celebrated in the West. His heart beat to the rhythm of the West Kerry drum and the people there celebrated him for it, those in his presence enjoyed his performance as much as he loved performing for them.
Dermot felt at home in West Kerry and he often partook in round of golf at Ceann Sibeál in Ballyferriter. The Irish language was something he always held close to his heart and in the West he had the ability to converse and socialise with naive speakers of the tongue. He loved to discuss the importance of culture and the changing face of traditional music. He would often be a guest on Raidió na Gaeltachta such was his linguistic ability and he always claimed that Seamus Begley from Baile na bPuc was the greatest sean-nós singer he ever heard.
Dingle became the location for a belated birthday celebration four years ago, as friends and family converged on Lord Bakers to celebrate Dermot's 70th birthday. Lorda Bakers was always his first port of call upon arriving in the town and that particular night, the roof was raised to the wee hours, by the man from the wee county, who filled the night with music and song.
Dermot had hoped to settle in West Kerry and had negotiated the purchase of a house in Smerwick however he took ill in recent years. Despite the seriousness of his condition, he fought his illness with every ounce of strength he had. Upon the eve of the 2006 All-Ireland, Dermot met up with some friends in his sisters pub in Drumcondra. There he wondered aloud to his close friend John Moriarty of Dingle, if he would make the 2007 All-Ireland final, as the Louth Team of 1967 would have been the team celebrated at the half-time mark, commemorating the 50th year of their All-Ireland win. As captain, Dermot would have lead his team-mates out onto the grass of Croke Park . Sadly, it was not meant to be.
Dermot was a gentleman's gentleman, who never had a bad word to say about anyone. He exuded optimism and kindness and the mark he has left on the people of Dingle and West Kerry is undeniable. Dermot was a great friend to Dingle and his passing is also a great loss to Irish music.
He was laid to rest in his home town of Ardee with his beloved wife Rose, who passed away just two years ago. His great friend, Jimmy Magee gave the graveyard oration and many people from West Kerry made the trip to Louth to pay their final respects. Dermot is survived by his daughter Roisín, who is also a talented singer in her own right.
When the show in Dingle was over, and the curtin had fallen, Dermot would sit back and have a pint before launching into the real music of the night, which would stretch into the small hours. Now the golden music of his accordion has a new audience in the great dance hall in the heavens.
As they say in West Kerry, ní bheidh a leithidí ann arís.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal dilís.
"Fungie changed my life"
