TWO legends of Irish music came together to perform a musical tribute in memory of the late Paddy Moloney.
John Sheahan, the last surviving member of The Dubliners, joined folk icon Finbar Furey as Friday's Late Late Show on RTÉ One paid tribute to the Chieftains founder.
Moloney passed away this week at the age of 83, with President Michael D Higgins among those paying tribute to the musician.
John Sheahan and @finbarfurey perform a very moving rendition of 'Ar Éirinn Ní Neosfainn Cé Hí' in tribute to their friend, Paddy Moloney .#LateLate pic.twitter.com/8b8w6cCBDe
— The Late Late Show (@RTELateLateShow) October 15, 2021
Honouring their late friend, Sheahan and Furey performed a beautiful, ethereal rendition of the slow air, Ar Éirinn Ní Neosfainn Cé Hí (For Ireland, I'd Not Tell Her Name).
Speaking afterwards, host Ryan Tubridy said: "I got the sense listening to that music that you were saying goodbye to a fallen comrade in the field.
"For you two esteemed musicians to play so beautifully and movingly, it was like your way of saying goodbye."
Sheahan replied that Moloney was "not just a star but a supernova after burning out and we're left here in the shadows, lingering".
Also paying tribute to Moloney were Irish dancing legend Michael Flatley and American country music star Emmylou Harris.
The latter credited Moloney with sparking her interest in Trad music, adding: "Paddy almost singlehandedly brought [Irish music] to the world stage for everybody to hear."
