♣ The light of heaven on his noble soul ♣ Barney McKenna 'Beethoven of the Banjo' born 1939 December 16 He said: "It is also Beethoven's birthday. I was born the same day.” Then, he added:  “But don’t you even think! Not the same year!” He passed away peacefully at his home in Howth on 5 April 2012. "Banjo Barney from Donnycarney“ Tenor banjo legend. A dazzling instrumentalist who was also an accomplished mandolin and melodeon player. Founding member of the Dubliners. The RTE reporter asked him how it felt to be a star. "Over the moon," Barney replied. McKenna remained entirely unaffected by celebrity. A man of many talents. Musician, fisherman, farmer and brilliant storyteller. His tall stories won him a special place in Irish hearts. Banjo Barney was one of the funniest men you could meet in Ireland and his Barneyisms are legendary. A man you don’t meet every day. Made with MAGIX © M M 2012 WebPage In Progress !!!!! Visit our facebookpage: http://www.facebook.com/BanjoBarneyMcKenna Barney used to recite this one from memory. Barney’s Life’s Philosophy has been read out on air by Irish classical guitarist Michael Howard: (You can hear it at the very end of the programme) RTE Radio 1 - A special Programme of music and memories of the late Barney McKenna, musician, singer and member for 50 years of the famous folk & ballad group the Dubliners  Click to listen to the  programme. Some nices tunes & some Barneyisms. ♣ Solas na bhFlaitheas da anam uasal ♣ “I wrote this in the sand at Aberdeen Beach, North-East Scotland, on a beautiful, sunny Autumn day. Barney loved the sea, and I felt it was appropriate to write his name on the shoreline so that when the waves washed the letters away - his beautiful memory would be everywhere....” ♥ ♥ ♥ Susan Watt, Aberdeen ♥ ♥ ♥