The final resting place of Luke Kelly and Christy Brown

Intro music courtesy of Jory Nash www.Jorynash.com
Link to Ronnie Drew video
• The final resting plac...
Luke Kelly
Luke was born into a working-class family in Lattimore Cottages at 1 Sheriff Street. His maternal grandmother, who was a MacDonald from Scotland, lived with the family until her death in 1953. His father who was Irish- also named Luke - was shot and severely wounded as a child by British soldiers from the King's Own Scottish Borderers during the 1914 Bachelor's Walk massacre. He was taken to Jervis Street hospital with a bullet wound through the lung and was not expected to recover.
His father worked all his life in Jacob's biscuit factory and enjoyed playing football. The elder Luke was a keen singer: Luke junior's brother Paddy later recalled that "he had this talent... to sing negro spirituals by people like Paul Robeson, we used to sit around and join in - that was our entertainment". After Dublin Corporation demolished Lattimore Cottages in 1942, the Kellys became the first family to move into the St. Laurence O’Toole flats, where Luke spent the bulk of his childhood, although the family were forced to move by a fire in 1953 and settled in the Whitehall area. Both Luke and Paddy played club Gaelic football and soccer as children.
Kelly left school at thirteen and after a number of years of odd-jobbing, he went to England in 1958.
Kelly himself spoke about his problems with alcohol.
Christy Brown
Christy was born into a working-class Irish family at the Rotunda Hospital in Dublin in June 1932.
Social worker Katriona Delahunt became aware of his story and began to visit the Brown family regularly, while bringing Christy books and painting materials as, over the years, he had shown a keen interest in the arts and literature. He had also demonstrated extremely impressive physical dexterity since, soon after discovering several household books, Christy had learned to both write and draw himself, with the only limb over which he had unequivocal control: his left leg. Brown quickly matured into a serious artist. Although Brown famously received almost no formal schooling during his youth, he did attend St Brendan's School-Clinic in Sandymount intermittently. At St Brendan's he came in contact with Robert Collis, a noted author. Collis discovered that Brown was also a natural novelist and, later, Collis helped use his own connections to publish My Left Foot, by then a long-gestating autobiographical account of Brown's struggle with everyday life amidst the vibrant culture of Dublin.
When My Left Foot became a literary sensation.
Death
Brown died at the age of 49 after choking during a lamb chop dinner.
#dubliners #christybrown #dublin #lukekelly #deansgrange #famousgraves #singer

[@lindaball6714]

Very sad but interesting one did everything he could to make due with what he was given and the other tried to hold on until there wasn’t time left. Two strong men

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

That's beautifully put Linda kinda made me tear up 🥲❤

[@trina415]

Luke one of the finest if not the finest balladeer of his time God bless ya Luke xx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I agree such a beautiful voice 😍 💜

[@theunheardvoice5520]

Please know how much you are appreciated by those of us who respect and are fascinated by cemeteries and graves. Don’t worry about the microphone-wind is wind. You are visiting places I’ll never be able to visit. I grew up next to a cemetery and always found it calming; it was there i first learned that babies and children died. Until then, I thought only adults died. Thank you for all you do!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Wow, that's a beautiful comment, not easy to learn those things as a child and harder to understand it ❤

[@johnnyjesus8]

Nice one sue love the old Dubliners. R.I.P Luke Kelly and Christy brown. Thanks for another wonderful respectfully done video.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank Johnny ❤❤

[@nanad4348]

My left foot was a great film, Christy Brown was an amazing man. Love the Dubliners. Thank you Sue for sharing their stories. Take care and God Bless ❤

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

He sure was NANA D and a great film too, The Dubliners are great too ❤

[@bcoldgoalie]

I've been late to view and comment here. Had some health issues. Such wonderful people with lives cut short. But their attachment to Ireland and its people would never be broken. Their strength always shines through.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hans I'm so sorry, I really hope you are OK?❤

[@elizabethconnolly8958]

Thank you for that it's so beautiful to remember Luke Kelly Rip Amen xxx and Christy Brown God bless them both Amen xxx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Elizabeth ❤️

[@lizstevenson7801]

Thank you Sue. Two very talented young men, both died far too young but left so much for us to still enjoy. Blessings to you 💕🇦🇺

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Liz ❤️

[@rarespiritwendy]

Thank you, Sue. So sad, Luke Kelly, taken way too soon. Christy Brown..truly remarkable story of tenacity and courage. 🙏🏼

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Wendy, it was so nice being able to visit 😊 ❤❤

[@Freebirdjack69]

The Dubliners and the Clancy's are my two favorite folk groups thanks to my mother cheers from America

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

That's brilliant ❤❤

[@mygrammieis]

Beautiful Memorials 🍀💐Thank you for the walk Around today💕✌🏻

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks very much, it was a joy to be there ❤

[@alandickerson3379]

Thank you for telling this story! I am happy that you rememered the lives of Luke and Christy and shared them!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Alan ❤️

[@jmorgan5252]

Thank you for remembering Luke and Christy and for sharing their lives. Your videos are absolutely amazing

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks for watching J

[@kathleenlynch5763]

I visited Lukes grave 6 years ago while on holiday i Ireland.ialways wanted to pay my respects to this great man and with the best voice id ever heard.myself and my two sisters travelled the lenth of England in my sisters battered car to see the Dubliners.great days great memories.rest in peace Luke. Ronnie. Ciaran.Barney. and my two beautifull sisters.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Ahh that's a lovely memory to have, I also visited Ronnie Drews grave, link in description box or just go down my channel ❤

[@bettytordoff8920]

Thank you for showing us the 2 graves of 2 very talented men.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Betty❤

[@LaurenFerrell885]

So sad that they died so young. Rest in Peace

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Very sad alright ❤

[@fergusfitzgerald6936]

I agree and I am a fan of both!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks for watching

[@ritafirestone761]

Another beautiful cemetery. Thank you.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Rita ❤️

[@sundusibrahimali7099]

Thank you very much for the tour you made for us.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Very welcome ❤

[@DMR4554]

What a fascinating cemetery. Thank you Serenity Sue.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Dee❤

[@fastsetinthewest]

Thank you, some of my g grandparents had the accent and you are so wonderful. Eaglegards... From Texas.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks very much ❤️

[@puppy2haley]

This was very informative, Sue. Thanks for sharing. I loved the movie My Left Foot. R.I.P. to these kind souls. 🙏🏻🥲

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Diane, it was a brilliant movie alright 👍 ❤

[@murphy4mom]

I have been chasing my Ancestors for 50 years. Thank you for sharing their stories From there and then 1200’s to here n now 2022 Wisconsin US DNA shows us who we are n where we came from. Thank you so much Serenity !

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks so much ❤️

[@johncook8720]

Hey Sue, thanks so much for this. Right off the top, it never fails to amaze when we see the details that go into the headstones and memorials. I'd honestly never heard of Luke Kelly before, and enjoyed what you mentioned recounting his life. I've seen My Left Foot as well, a great film, for sure. Hope the temps werent to chilly for this

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was freezing cold and extremely windy, this was filmed the day after Mount Jerome so even though somewhat drier it was not much better, such a shame but I'll come back..Next video will be of the gorgeous Glasnevin and its amazing moments, crypts and mausoleums ❤

[@johncook8720]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards sorry abt the cold, hopefully we slowly start to ease into more bearable days, get closer to Spring, it'll get here lol. 60° here today but 1"-2" of snow tomorrow, its topsy turvy

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's been -3 here this week, no sign of snow, very wet today and tomorrow

[@evakiss2562]

I didn’t heard about Christy Brown, because of you I will watch the film… thank you for that!🙏🥰 it must be a very hard performance to playing him!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Oh Eva, it was an outstanding performance by Daniel Day Lewis, ❤

[@richardbittikofer988]

Sue, I heard the North Sea wind. Must have been very cold! Excellent video. Thanks!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It was freezing cold, my hands were so sore by the end ❤❤

[@matthewfarmer6830]

You noticed his grave stone stands out from the ones around him. It's tall and handsome like he was 😊 thanks for sharing this one 💐 rest easy Luke Kelley ☘️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Matthew, hard to find at first but then as you said it stood out ❤

[@allaninaet2835]

Christy is one of my favorite traditional artists because I too have CP, but he's influenced my life in other ways as well. When the doctors told my parents I had it, they thought it would harm my chances at life, they didn't know how people lived with it. My mom took me to an early intervention center to see if they could help us. The staff let her watch My Left Foot because it could explain exactly what she needed to know more than they could. People always say it's a movie that brings hope, I can't agree more. I feel like God said "don't worry, she'll be just fine despite what pain she's going to have. This person did it."

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks so much for sharing your story, very commendable

[@corkion]

god rest hes soul whjat a voice rip luke

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

He was amazing and passed so young 😪

[@corkion]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards way to young love looking@ him on u tube brilliant voice

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

The heart and soul of Ireland

[@nadiabrook7871]

RIP Luke Kelly and Christy Brown!! XXXX

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

❤❤❤❤

[@chuckyoneil2853]

I couldn't believe it was Christy Brown loved the true story, thanks.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Chucky x x

[@Liz_678]

Great video! Congratulations on 5k subs and climbing 👏🏻👍🏻

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Liz I'm overwhelmed ❤❤

[@Rose-in1nz]

Condolences to the Family and Friends.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks ❤

[@freemindthinkerezrapound5071]

Even the young people of today love Luke's voice it has spanned time itself you can not hear that voice and not feel it's tug at your heart he was not one of the greatest singers he was easily the best bar none, good job sue

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Absolutely I've started to listen to him again since this video, what a voice but too young to die❤

[@rodolfoayalajr.8589]

Rip Amen 🙏. Great story.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thank you ❤️

[@IrishAnnie]

He is much like Benjamin Orr of The Cars. He was sick and sang up to the time he just couldn’t do it anymore and walked off the stage. They both died doing what they loved, but knew the time had come. Being with your family is most important.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes Ann, he was just so young, sad for the Dubliners too burying him so young, a huge loss for them too as I'm sure all of Ireland and of course family ❤

[@johnlacroix1639]

WOW very interesting super kool ,1st class great info.,,, AAAAAAAAAAA++++++++++++ again great video I liked it a lot ,keep up the great work.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks John, Appreciate it ❤️

[@sueamos3860]

Very interesting thank you

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Sue ❤️

[@paulsmith8212]

Thank you Sue . I had never heard of these guys but thank you for sharing your information. This is one of these cemetery’s that goes on forever but the families have no real estate. Each grave is packed in close to the next one like sardines . Not sure how I feel about that although this is another place you will never see me pitch a tent and spend the night . NO , not me . Thank you Sue.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Haha Paul, I didn't like the layout, you can't walk around the graves for fear you'd walk on them so you end up jumping across them or walking on the kirbs ❤

[@paulsmith8212]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Thank you , When I was young we would spend the summer in Rumney, New Hampshire at my fathers summer place. This was a quaint old farm town where families buried there dead in the back yards in a lot of properties. Making my way home in the dark one evening I was taking a shortcut and found myself in the middle of a family plot. How I found out was as I was walking over the field my leg suddenly sank all the way to my knee in the ground and I looked hard enough and there was a tombstone in front of me. I think I just about flew home after that. I will always remember that. Since then my family is gone, summer place is someone else’s. That’s ok by me.

[@denislacombe4103]

Hi ! Sue i didn't know Luke Kelly unfortunately! But i have seen the famous film My left foot,with Daniel D Lewis ,a Masterpiece! I've seen it several times ! Thank you Sue for this very interesting video ! It's worthy! Stay safe ,God Bless ! Denis from.France...

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Luke Kelly was an amazing Irish sing, a very unique voice, like gravel, Google Luke Kelly and the song Raglan Road. You won't be disappointed

[@denislacombe4103]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards thank you very much Sue!

[@TheGenealogyArchaeologist]

They are so different than American cemeteries. Love it!

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

They are but I do love American cemeteries too but from all the comments I realise how blessed we are here with our beautiful graves and how we dress them ❤️

[@TheGenealogyArchaeologist]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards I agree!

[@Amasod1]

Great job sharing those stories. Was wondering if there were people around you at 1:06 in film? I heard muffled voices there. I didn’t see anyone and it appears you were alone at that point. Hoping to catch you at your live today. Much love ❤️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes just people walking through the cemetery

[@markdooley2715]

Legend 👍🇮🇪☘💚

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Mark he truly was ❤

[@cathycousins3353]

Great video sue

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Cathy❤

[@rolfsinkgraven]

I did not see the movie My Left Foot, but i remember a documentary about him, long ago.-

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

It's a lovely film and Daniel Day Lewis does a fabulous job ❤❤

[@trina415]

Git Brown God bless his soul xx

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

❤❤❤

[@tomhirons7475]

Great stuff Sue, Luke is a hero of mine as you know so many thanks. Sorry i didnt get banjo pics to you, but i allways find it strange his ex wife is there, as he was with a german woman, the love of his life, any ideas ????.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I though it strange too but maybe because they were still married 🤔 I don't know to be honest ❤

[@tomhirons7475]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards i think they where still married sue, thinking about it. But it still is quite unusual as they had been separayed for so long. One of Lukes best songs is thank you for the days, the kinks song, its worth a listen xxx

[@cleitonparo]

Boa tarde minha querida lindo mortuário

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks so very much ❤❤

[@CB-sn4xh]

Luke and Christy were good friends and shared a pint or two or three!! Two Dublin geniuses..🙏

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks CB yes I didn't know that, a subscriber told me here, isn't it nice they are buried close to each other, always sad to stand at a grave of such talent, especially when so young

[@CB-sn4xh]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Christy was my Dad's brother...thanks for the great video..

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Ahh thank you for sharing that, it's a pleasure, it was a dream of mine to visit Christys grave and Lukes too, I also went to Ronnie Drews grave and Dolores o Riordans, then I went to Dermot Morgan and then I went to London to visit George Michael's grave. Its so sad all these talented men and women gone way too soon

[@joseleswopes4396]

Very Sad 🙏‼️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Way too young to die 💔

[@mikekatras772]

What a beautiful story and what a beautiful cemetery thank you Sue.🙏🏻🇺🇸👮🏻‍♂️

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Mike ❤️

[@GoogleSpyZon]

It's amazing what we can overcome and accomplish in just a short amount of time...life is way to short. Should we be envious of the dead, or fear the certainty of our own existence?

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I believe we need to be thankful for each day on earth, to live as if its our last ❤❤

[@murphy4mom]

Gaelic folk is in my soul !

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

That's lovely 😍 ❤

[@cormacwilkie1725]

There are singers and there are singers , and then there was Luke Kelly .

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I agree there, what a voice

[@mollydebrun5310]

Christy was my dad's brother we always stopped at Luke's grave when we went to visit Christy and my nannas grave as my da and Christy where friends of his

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Ahh, that's a wonderful connection ❤️

[@stephenweafer5769]

Glasnevin cemetery would want a complete makeover it's like a war zone all the muck and dirt would would want to be cleared and a new lawn or path would want to be played all the graves would want to be cleaned up and all the dead flowers removed we have a lot of famous people buried in glasnevin cemetery but it's an eyesore at the moment

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I thought it was beautiful but then again it was my first visit ❤ didn't get to see every person I wanted to but I tried 😕

[@michaeldaly9984]

Liam Whelan the Manchester United player killed in the 1958 Munich plane crash is buried close to Luke Kelly RIP 🕯🙏💐

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes Michael, my partner Irish Eyes did a special video on Liam, check him out ❤

[@jamestakacs]

Have you done a program on The Clancy Brothers?

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I haven't, maybe I'll go and find them too, I did film Ronnie Drew alright ❤

[@robinvarnadoe8429]

First time I've seen a grave yard like that, is the family buried on top of each other?

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes they can be on top and at either side ❤

[@niallcanty]

You would need a year or 2 to go around glasnevin cemetery and that would be it all

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I know Niall I've a few different videos here of Glasnevin, absolutely love it

[@seansmith9129]

Deirdre O Connell was Luke's wife, she intimately connected with the Focus theatre.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Thanks Sean, is she buried with Luke, I know they separated

[@seansmith9129]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards Yes, Sue, she would often call into O'Donoghues pub, I would have the occasional chat with her. Nice lady, always dressed in black. RIP.

[@susanlaird5154]

Why do they leave stones on top of headstones.? I loved Luke Kelly. Luke died too young. Susan Scotland

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Hi Susan, I used to think it was a Jewish custom but it's more than that, it's a mark of respect, many people leave stones on a loved one's grave or memorial to mark their visit. The symbol of the stone can bring comfort to family and friends, letting them know their loved one has been visited x x

[@susanlaird5154]

@@SerenitySueGraveyards thanks for the info. 🥰

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Very welcome

[@joe56474]

When I visited Glasnevin in 2019 I went there specifically for these 2 men. Both were incredibly talented human beings.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

That's fantastic Joe I will be uploading the full tour of Glasnevin Friday night as a Premiere ❤

[@Corgis175]

Handicaps or what they might be viewed as don't keep people with the drive and intelligence to achieve. RIP to Christy Brown and to the 2 Dubliners.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Yes he fought for his intelligence and over came his disabilities and he proved everyone can ❤

[@kerryryan2800]

Farewell Luke Pools of lamplight The coffin’s pall Mourners gathered Dublin’s, Whitehall. Winter’s evening Church bells toll The city receives The Troubadour’s soul. Artists, musicians Statesmen and rogues, Jackeen tones And country brogues. Bidding farewell Together they stand The Auld Triangle And Black Velvet Band. Raglan Road ghosts Still cry in the night Luke Kelly, Dubliner Has taken flight.

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

Wow, thanks so much for this, I'd never heard of this before, so beautiful 😍

[@jamestakacs]

Except for the grandmother the Kelly's didn't live very long

[@SerenitySueGraveyards]

I know very sad 😔