Singer Johnny McEvoy dies aged 81: ‘A true icon of Irish folk music’
Renowned Irish folk musician Johnny McEvoy has passed away at the age of 81. Known for hits like 'Muirsheen Durkin', he enjoyed a career spanning six decades.
Why it matters
McEvoy was a significant cultural figure in Ireland, and his death marks the loss of a major contributor to the nation's folk music tradition.
Irish musician Johnny McEvoy has died aged 81.
The Co Offaly singer-songwriter died at his home in Greystones, Co Wicklow, on Sunday.
Known as the “Boy From Banagher”, McEvoy was born to a bus driver and housewife, John and Emily McEvoy, in April 1945. The family moved to Dublin when he was six.
McEvoy began singing aged four and became a professional musician at 18, rising to prominence in 1966 when his single Muirsheen Durkin reached number one in Ireland.
He returned to the hit again in 2010 when he released a new recording with Sharon Shannon, which also coincided with an RTÉ documentary titled The Johnny McEvoy Story.
Over a career spanning six decades, McEvoy also became known for writing songs including Long Before Your Time and Michael.
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