Gaiety Theatre hands honour to Ronnie

“I THINK it’s a great honour,” said Ronnie Drew, the seventh luminary to make his Gaiety Theatre imprint.

“I know all of them, except Luciano Pavarotti,” said the gravel-voiced legend of Irish folk music. “My hand might look similar — but we’d sound different.”

Family members, fans and fellow performers applauded as Ronnie, 72, stepped up to have his palm prints recorded for posterity. Sculptor Leo Higgins will cast them in bronze.

The other original Dubliner, Barney McKenna, entertained with a few tunes on his inimitable banjo as photographers jostled to record the scene.

There, too, were Johnny McEvoy and Jim McCann, who will join Ronnie in the Legends of Irish Folk concert that opens in the Gaiety next week.

Ronnie has graced the Gaiety’s boards spanning four decades. Apart from concerts, he has performed there in three pantomimes.

“I hope they don’t wear out,” the troubadour joked as he surveyed the other bronzed prints of Irish theatrical giants that adorn the venue’s South King Street entrance.

How would he himself wish to be remembered? “I’d like them to remember I’m just a journeyman; I tell a story, sing a song — and I’ve made a living out of it, and keep going.

“People ask me do I want to retire. I don’t really. But I might have to take it a bit easier as the years clock up.

“I’m delighted with myself that we’re going to be here next week for a week. Tomorrow we go to Cork. Nowadays, we have to go the day before; we’re opening in Cork Opera House on Thursday.”

Ronnie and his wife Deirdre celebrated 42 years of marriage on Monday. After the imprint formalities, Gaiety Theatre manager John Costigan threw a lunch party for the Drew entourage.

Among the loyal fans was Bernard Keogh, 69, from Walkinstown. He was absolutely delighted when Ronnie autographed his two well-loved copies of The Dubliners’ song books.

“I’ve been a fan of Ronnie’s and The Dubliners since my mid-20s,” said Bernard, who heard about the ceremony on the radio and just could not stay away.