Johnny McEvoy, Irish singer-songwriter, dies aged 81

Johnny McEvoy, the Co Offaly singer-songwriter, has died aged 81. His manager Darren Farrell confirmed that he passed away peacefully at his home in Greystones, Co Wicklow, on Sunday.

Born in Banagher, Co Offaly, McEvoy began singing at the age of four and turned professional at 18. He rose to prominence in 1966 when Muirsheen Durkin reached number one in Ireland, with The Boston Burglar and Nora among the songs that followed. In 1968, McEvoy played New York’s Carnegie Hall. That same year he had a number one with Nora, from Seán O’Casey’s play The Plough and the Stars. In 1976, his own composition, Long Before Your Time went to the top of the charts too.

Over a career spanning six decades, he also became known for writing songs including Long Before Your Time, Michael and The Planter's Daughter, which he wrote for his late wife, Odette.

In a statement, Johnny McEvoy's children, Jonathan and Alice, said: "Dad's music meant so much to so many people, but to us, he was just Dad. We're so grateful for all the love shown to him over the years."

"Johnny's funeral will be private, attended by his family, close friends and some of those he worked alongside over the years."

"The family thank everyone for the many kind messages they have received and ask that their privacy be respected at this time."

Paying tribute on RTÉ Radio 1's The Oliver Callan Show, Mick Foster of Foster and Allen described his friend as "a legend". He saluted Johnny McEvoy for being one of the first entertainers to speak openly about mental health in the 1990s and his experience of depression.

"I'd say it definitely helped a load of people, because a load of people have this and they don't talk about it and a lot of them wouldn't know what was wrong with them," Mick Foster continued.

"But when you have someone of Johnny's standing in the community, for want of a better way of putting it, and he talks about it, well then, it obviously has to give them a lift."

McEvoy was the beloved husband of the late Odette, a much-loved dad to Jonathan and Alice, and a proud grandad to Kyle, Isabella and Cinéad.

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