Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

'Idol, legend, beloved': Hundreds gather at Christy Dignam's public farewell

A crowd of mourning family, friends and fans followed Dignam’s hearse through Finglas, before gathering outside of Erins Isle GAA Club.

LAST UPDATE | 17 Jun 2023

THE FUNERAL AND public farewell of Christy Dignam took place today in Finglas, Co Dublin.

A crowd of mourning family, friends and fans followed the Aslan frontman’s hearse through Finglas, before gathering outside of Erins Isle GAA Club.

His fellow bandmates and hundreds from the community in Finglas and all over Dublin were seen paying their respects to the singer.

Dignam died on Tuesday evening in his home after a long-term illness of a rare blood disease, amyloidosis.

In 2013 he was diagnosed with the disease and blood cancer multiple myeloma. He underwent extensive treatment, including chemotherapy.

He had been receiving palliative care at home since December following six months of treatment at Beaumont Hospital.

Members of Dignam’s close family followed the hearse through the town, with friends and fans following and looking on.

The funeral cortege started on the Tolka Valley Road and travelled towards Finglas village before arriving at a playing field opposite Erin’s Isle GAA club and pausing for a video tribute.

Christy Dignam10 A large crowd gathered outside Erins Isle GAA club in Finglas. Sam Boal / Rolling News Sam Boal / Rolling News / Rolling News

Two friends from Malahide, who’ve been fans of Dignam’s since they were sixteen, told The Journal: “We’ve probably seen him 20 or 30 times over the last number of years.

“We came to pay tribute to him.”

One of the friends said they had seen Dignam play all around the country in various venues, clubs and bars, and their group of friends were “big fans” of the Irish singer.

“Vicar Street, the Olympia, Iveagh Gardens, the Point,” one friend listed. “We’re big fans.”

The funeral procession began at 9.45 am this morning and led the crowds who gathered through Finglas to the GAA club.

As the cortege drove on Cardiffsbridge Road, neighbours in rain jackets, jeans, Aslan T-shirts and some in pyjamas; drivers; dog-walkers; and passers-by took a minute to pay their respects – with some playing music from the Dublin band and flying Irish flags along the road.

Cardiffsbridge Rd CD Funeral The cortege on Cardiffsbridge Road in Finglas. Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

The hearse stopped for a moment at Coláiste Ída, a local school in Finglas, where a large group of people from the community had gathered to applaud the hearse as it drove by.

Dignam grew up in Finglas, on the northside of the capital. In 1982, he formed the rock band Aslan alongside Alan Downey, Joe Jewell and Billy McGuinness, as well as Tony McGuinness, the band’s former bassist.

Aslan became one of the most popular bands on the Irish music scene after they released their first album Feel No Shame in 1988.

The album – and in particular the track ‘This Is’ – showcased the band’s unique sound and Dignam’s powerful vocals.

Another fan, from Finglas, said she thought the event was “brilliant, but very sad”.

IMG_7583 Crowd outside Erins Isle GAA Club. Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

Fans were reminded of Dignam’s legacy when the procession reached the GAA club. As the hearse drove between the crowd fans and onlookers applauded and cheered the singer’s coffin, with many shedding tears.

IMG_7591 The funeral cortege travelled through Finglas this morning, with large numbers turning out to pay tribute Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

AAA A map of the route the funeral cortege took. MAPS.IE / JAMIE MCCARRON MAPS.IE / JAMIE MCCARRON / JAMIE MCCARRON

Balloons from people outside the club were released into the sky as ‘This Is’ played on a large screen set up for the crowds. Much of the crowd sang each lyric of Dignam’s notable song.

Dignam’s family and close friends opened the back of the hearse and stood with the coffin as numerous songs from the singer played on in the background.

christy dignam 077 (Center) Christy Dignam's daughter Kiera joins fans , Mourners and Family gathered in Finglas to pay respect to singer.Sam Boal / Rolling News (Center) Christy Dignam's daughter Kiera joins fans , Mourners and Family gathered in Finglas to pay respect to singer.Sam Boal / Rolling News / Rolling News

A video tribute was then played to the large crowd who gathered to pay their respects to the band’s frontman.

Ryan Tubridy gave a video tribute to the singer on the large screen. Tubridy paid tribute to Dignam’s love for singing.

Tubridy said he remembered all the times the singer joined him on The Late Late Show “with Finbarr Fury, or with Imeda May, or with Aslan [...] singing, doing what he does best”.

“But also, loving. And that’s what he was; loving. I think it’s fair to say having met him, only a couple of months ago in his house, he knew that.

“The people from around this beautiful country said ‘He’s one of ours’,” Tubridy said.

A cheer quickly erupted from the crowd, who began to applaud and whistle the tribute led by the radio host.

“Christy Dingam, Idol. Legend. Beloved,” Tubridy added.

The cheers and applause were quickly muted as a minute’s silence was called for Christy Dignam and quietness fell over the crowd of adoring fans outside the GAA club.

Christy Dignam 717 Teresa Sutton joins other fans , mourners and Family gathered in Finglas to pay respect to singer Sam Boal / Rolling News Sam Boal / Rolling News / Rolling News

The silence was broken as the large screen began to play film of the singer and Aslan singing and playing the song ‘Crazy World’.

As the song played and the mourners sang, Dignam’s family and friends walked towards the procession vehicles again and the hearse drove to the private funeral.

The crowd once again applauded the hearse as it drove between the large crowd to where Dignam’s service will take place.

CD FUNERAL COFFIN HEARSE The crowd outside the GAA Club gathered around Dignam's hearse and coffin. Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal Muiris O'Cearbhaill / The Journal / The Journal

His funeral notice on RIP.ie said: “Modest and down-to-earth, Christy was as comfortable and happy singing at small intimate gigs as he was to packed venues.

“A generous supporter of countless charity events, often turning up at the bedsides of admirers who were ill.

“Christy’s loss leaves a void that will be impossible to fill,” it reads. 

The RIP.ie page reminds the public that the family’s home will be private “at all times”.

“He is survived by his beloved wife Kathryn, his darling daughter Kiera, grandchildren Cian, Ava and Jake, son-in-law Darren Moran, sisters and brothers Bernadette, Deirdre, James, Brian, Therese, Jackie and Eddie, extended family, fellow Aslan members, neighbours, friends and all who knew and loved him,” the page reads.

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Close
24 Comments
This is YOUR comments community. Stay civil, stay constructive, stay on topic. Please familiarise yourself with our comments policy here before taking part.
Leave a Comment
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Ciaran
    Favourite Ciaran
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 7:57 AM

    RIP Christy.

    778
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Quinnladden1
    Favourite Quinnladden1
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 9:15 AM

    A True Dub who never forgot his roots…. Cheers for the tunes Christy….rest well.

    621
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Laura H
    Favourite Laura H
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 12:08 PM

    @Abbe Julio I have to disagree with you on the hagiography comment, people such as myself genuinely loved the man for the person and musician he was, the life he lived and his honesty about it. I admired him, laughed with him when he told stories, was upset for him when I discovered he was ill and was so truly upset to hear he passed. He was a flawed man but as I’ve said so many times now, we’re all flawed..only most of us don’t want to admit it and those that do are usually berated for it.
    Then there are those of us who relate.

    521
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Frank Cauldhame
    Favourite Frank Cauldhame
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 5:06 PM

    @Laura H: Beautifully put, I’m in total agreement with you on everything you’ve said. We’re all human, nobody is worthier/better than anyone else no matter who they are. People admired Christy and @Abbe Julio’s use of the word ‘hagiography’ is totally disingenuous. RIP Christy.

    209
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Michael Dowling
    Favourite Michael Dowling
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 8:36 AM

    Legend RIP

    294
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Robert Halvey
    Favourite Robert Halvey
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 7:55 AM

    Thanks lad

    295
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bulie Julie
    Favourite Bulie Julie
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 8:46 AM

    Aslan played in the students bar in UCD in the early 2000′s. Great band, great man. Rest in Peace.

    268
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute thanks for the beautiful music christy rest in pea
    Favourite thanks for the beautiful music christy rest in pea
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 11:49 AM

    Thanks for the beautiful music christy rest in peace .

    260
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute SquideyeMagpie
    Favourite SquideyeMagpie
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 3:50 PM

    Well done Finglas. Place gets a bad rap from time to time but 99% of the people are the finest you’d ever meet

    272
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute david finglas
    Favourite david finglas
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 12:53 PM

    I remember seeing Aslan back in the early 90′s in the Towers pub in Ballymun, the cover charge was 2 pound christy did most of the gig sitting in an armchair, unbelievable gig even with the issues christy had back then. Seen them so many times since and never missed a newyears eve gig in Vicor street ,,, Absolute LEGEND R.I.P

    245
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Chutes
    Favourite Chutes
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 12:21 PM

    Respect!

    196
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute dream catcher
    Favourite dream catcher
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 4:40 PM

    Rest in peace Christy, you will be missed down here.

    167
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Lynda
    Favourite Lynda
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 4:02 PM

    RIP

    142
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute AnthonyK
    Favourite AnthonyK
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 3:12 PM

    He was a flawed man as someone here has said, but he was a flawed man with talent. RIP christy.

    83
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Stephen Mc Partlin
    Favourite Stephen Mc Partlin
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 7:56 PM

    Rest in peace Christy . You fought a long battle . Followed Aslan all my life . From seeing them as a teenager play in the the old Janelle shopping centre ( now Clearwater) when they got back together to the pubs and clubs like the Fingal, Baggot Inn, Vicar St. Olympia and the Iveagh Gardens .
    Your music will live on . Condolences to all the family and band members .

    44
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute John Magee
    Favourite John Magee
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 7:55 PM

    Wednesday nights in the towers Ballymun ….legendary.
    R.I.P Christy.

    28
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute DARA GAVIN
    Favourite DARA GAVIN
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 9:37 PM

    God always picks the best ones first .. no matter happens in life Christy showed us nothing can stop u from doing wat u love …
    R.I.P.

    22
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Bopper Holland
    Favourite Bopper Holland
    Report
    Jun 17th 2023, 10:39 PM

    Very bad taste and disrespectful to keep referring to him as Dignam

    11
    Install the app to use these features.
    Mute Terry Molloy
    Favourite Terry Molloy
    Report
    Jun 18th 2023, 9:47 AM

    Gone but never forgeten

    5
Submit a report
Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
Thank you for the feedback
Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.

Leave a commentcancel

 
JournalTv
News in 60 seconds