Inside Irish stars’ incredible tribute to songwriter Pete St John in popular Dublin pub after funeral… – The Irish Sun

PUNTERS in Dublin boozer Beaumont House were treated to an astonishing all-star version of Dublin In The Rare Ould Times after the funeral of songwriter Pete St John.
Glen Hansard, Paddy Reilly, George Murphy and bandmate Sean Butler were among a dozen music figures who gathered in Pete's favourite pub to remember the Fields of Athenry songwriter in a mammoth session that went on for 12 hours.
Sean Butler told The Irish Sun: "The Beaumont House was Pete's pub.
"He had his own seat in the corner where he had his lunch every day. It seemed fitting we'd all got there together to sing.
"I think George was the first to start singing, then we all started singing in different parts of the pub.
"When we started singing Pete's song Dublin in The Rare Ould Times, we all gathered around the table to
sing together.
"You can see the look of astonishment from people walking into the pub at what they were hearing. Pete would have loved it."
The session also included a stunning version of Pete's song The Fields Of Athenry by Glen Hansard and singer Paddy Reilly who turned the song into a global anthem.
Other vocalists featured around the table in the sing song at the afters organised by Pete's son Kieron Mooney included Sean McGuinness of The Dublin City Ramblers, Jimmy Morrison, Brian Furlong and Roy Buckley.
President Michael D Higgins was in attendance at Pete's funeral mass in Church of the Holy Child, Whitehall where the composer was praised for his songwriting as well as his ability to connect with others.
Speaking at the mass, his eldest son Kieron said: "After a decade of good times in the United States he returned back to Ireland.
"After settling back into the Irish life, Peter, who always loved to read and write poetry and dabble in songwriting, became the author of the songs that you all love so well and became Pete St John.
"I remember the beginning as a young man sitting at the dining room table in 251 Collins Avenue, myself and my younger brother were doing our homework, and right beside us was Peter, our father, starting a career as a songwriter.
"I remember the day that he penned The Fields of Athenry, and earlier remember The Rare Ould Times.
"He ran it by us a couple of times at the table but we were more interested at the time with our homework, but low and behold those two songs would become standards in Irish music."
Pete St John's work was recorded by The Dubliners, Paddy Reilly, Danny Doyle, Johnny McEvoy, Mary Black, Dublin City Ramblers, Brendan Shine and Daniel O'Donnell.
His songwriting accolades include the IMRO songwriter of the year award and the Variety Club of Ireland 'Gold Heart' Award.
He is survived by his sons Kieron and Brian Mooney and was predeceased by his wife Susan.
Pete St John was born Peter Mooney in Dublin in 1932.
He trained as an electrician and worked abroad as a young man in places including Canada and the US. He returned to Ireland in the 1970s and many of his songs looked at how his native city had changed over the years.
He referred to his songs as ‘magic carpets’ and spoke about how they could tell stories and connect with people.
His songs were recorded by, among others The Dubliners, Paddy Reilly, Danny Doyle, Johnny McEvoy, Mary Black, Dublin City Ramblers, Brendan Shine and Daniel O’Donnell.
He won many awards for his work including the IMRO songwriter of the year award and the Variety Club of Ireland ‘Gold Heart’ Award for his outstanding contribution to Irish music and song.
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