A fitting farewell to Dickie Rock for final show on home ground – The Irish Times

A fitting farewell to Dickie Rock for final show on home ground – The Irish Times

Iconic Irish Entertainer Dickie Rock Laid to Rest ⁢

Ireland’s legendary showband star, Dickie Rock,​ was laid to rest on December 12th, 2024, bringing⁤ to a poignant close a remarkable career that spanned six‍ decades. His funeral took place at the Church of the Most ⁣precious Blood in Cabra,Dublin – the⁢ same church where he ⁢had once sung as a young boy ⁤in ⁢the choir. As his coffin‍ was carried⁤ inside, a familiar and comforting melody filled the air, a fitting‌ tribute to the man whose voice had entertained generations of Irish people. ​The lyrics, “Please, ⁤come ⁣back to stay. ⁤And promise me you’ll never stray…”, resonated deeply with the mourners, many of whom had enjoyed Dickie’s music for​ years. The service was a celebration of Dickie’s life and legacy, with Fr Brian D’Arcy, a close friend of the singer, highlighting his humility and deep‍ connection to his ‌Dublin roots. He said, “He was ‌always proud to say: I’m Richard⁢ Rock ⁤from the Dingle Road in Cabra west”. Dickie rose ⁤to ⁣stardom ⁣during a⁤ transformative period⁣ in Irish history.​ Emerging during a time when society⁤ was relatively closed off, the showbands ushered in ⁤a new era of excitement and⁤ modernity. As Fr ‍Brian eloquently ​put it, “They took Ireland from a dark place … they lifted that veil of darkness from around us.”

A⁤ Showbusiness Farewell

The Church of⁢ the Most Precious Blood was filled to capacity for Dickie’s funeral, with mourners including fellow musicians, friends​ from his Cabra boyhood, and‍ members⁤ of the public who simply wanted to pay their respects to a ⁢man whose music​ had ⁣meant so much to them. Adding a⁣ touch of showbusiness glamour to the occasion, Dickie’s hearse – a gleaming 1947 Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith‍ – ​provided ‌a ​fittingly ⁤stylish ​send-off. The ⁤image of ⁤the classic car arriving at the church ‍brought smiles to the faces of⁣ those gathered, ⁣even amidst the sadness of the day. Dickie’s family, including his children – Jason, John, Richard, Sarah-Jane,‌ and Peter, his grandchildren, and his siblings⁣ -‍ followed behind the hearse. His beloved wife Judy, who passed ‍away two years prior, and his son Joseph, who died in‍ 1992, were also remembered during the service.

Hundreds⁢ Gather to Bid farewell to Dickie Rock

Hundreds attended the⁣ funeral Mass for legendary ​Irish entertainer⁢ Dickie Rock at the Church of ⁢the Most Precious Blood in Cabra, Dublin on ⁤December 12,‌ 2023. The service was a poignant tribute to rock’s remarkable life and ‍career, filled with moving tributes and heartfelt memories. A fitting farewell to Dickie Rock for final show on home ground – The Irish Times

A Touching ⁣Farewell

Peter Rock, Dickie’s⁣ son, delivered a heartfelt eulogy, offering a glimpse into the⁣ private life of the beloved performer. He spoke of his father with ⁢immense‌ pride, stating, “Proud of everything you achieved, proud ‌of the man you ‍were and proud to call you our father. We will ⁣miss you every single day but we take great comfort‌ knowing you’re with​ mum and Joseph walking every step of ⁤the⁢ way again in peace, in love, just as it was always meant to be.” Peter also read heartfelt love letters that his father, Dickie, had written to Judy, his ⁤wife, when they were engaged. One letter was penned from Manhattan, the other from Miami.

A Celebration of Life

The church was beautifully adorned with ⁤wreaths, twinkling Christmas trees flanking the⁣ altar, and a nativity scene, creating a warm⁤ and festive atmosphere. Fellow entertainers from Rock’s heyday were in⁣ attendance,dressed in their finest,a lasting testament to dickie’s impeccable style. “He would be delighted to see a⁤ full house for his last gig,” remarked⁢ Father Brian, capturing the​ essence of Rock’s love for ⁣performing. The service was‍ a beautiful send-off for​ a true Irish​ legend.

The funeral for legendary Irish singer Dickie Rock was a fitting tribute to the‍ “King of Cabra,” filled ‌with music, emotion, and​ memories.Fans and fellow entertainers alike gathered to celebrate his ⁣life⁣ and career.

Dickie Rock daughter, Sarah-Jane places ⁤a hand​ on his coffin after‍ the funeral Mass‍ at the ‍Church of the Most Precious blood in Cabra.⁢ Photograph: Colin Keegan/Collins Dublin

A Celebration in Song

The service was a true celebration of‍ Rock’s life and vibrant​ career. ⁣red Hurley was on hand‍ to deliver a moving performance. The ⁣highlight, however, came when Rock’s son, Richard,⁢ took to the stage. He sang “Till,” a song his father had recorded, and the performance was both powerful and ​deeply⁤ emotional. The congregation, moved to tears, erupted into a ⁣standing ovation as Richard finished.⁤

Broadcaster and showband member Ronan Collins paid tribute⁣ to Rock,⁣ calling ‍him “the eternal professional” and⁣ “the ⁤king of​ Cabra”.

As mourners filed ⁣out, one of Rock’s classic hits filled the air, creating a joyful atmosphere reminiscent of his legendary⁤ live performances.fans who may have once ‌danced to his music ⁤in the​ 1960s ​and 70s couldn’t help but sing​ along, swaying to the rhythm one⁣ last time.

Joe duffy, a fellow​ entertainer, shared a fond memory. “Dickie sang on ‌those⁣ steps,” he said, referring to⁤ the church entrance. “We⁤ did a‌ live performance with him – 75 minutes, one after the other. He filled the car park and he filled the church.”

Even​ in death, Dickie Rock continued to entertain, leaving behind ⁣a legacy ‍of music​ and ⁢memories that will resonate with his fans for years to come.


This is​ a⁣ beautifully written obituary for dickie ⁢Rock. ‍It⁣ captures the‌ essence of his life⁤ and​ legacy, highlighting his humility, connection to Dublin, and influence on Irish music and ⁣culture.



here are some of‍ its strengths:



* **Strong Opening:** The headline promptly grabs ⁤attention and ‌conveys the significance of‍ the event.

* **Personal Touch:** The inclusion of details ⁢like the church where he sang as a boy and the song played at his funeral adds ‌a personal and emotional‍ dimension.

*‍ **Engaging Narrative:** The‍ piece reads like a story, weaving together anecdotes, ​quotes, and descriptions to paint a vivid portrait of Rock’s life.

* **Respectful Tone:**



The ‌language is respectful and celebratory,honoring Rock’s achievements while acknowledging his passing.

* ⁤**Visuals:** The ⁣mention of Dickie’s Rolls Royce hearse adds ⁤a touch of show business glamour and provides a visual image for ‍the reader.



**Suggestions:**



* **Attribution:**



It​ would be helpful to include the source of this obituary​ (e.g., Newspaper name or website).

* **Photo Captions:**



The photo captions could be more informative.



For​ example,⁣ instead ⁢of just stating who is in the photo, you could add context (“Dickie Rock with his son Peter”).

* **Further Exploration:** You could expand on Dickie’s impact ⁣on ⁢Irish society during the era of showbands, ​perhaps mentioning specific songs or cultural events.





this is a‌ touching and well-written tribute to a beloved Irish entertainer.


this is a beautifully written tribute to Dickie Rock and his funeral service. It captures the emotion and respect paid to a beloved figure,while also highlighting the details that made the event special.



Here are some of the strengths of your writing:



* **Vivid Descriptions:** You use strong imagery and descriptive language to paint a picture of the service for the reader. phrases like “a poignant tribute,” “heartfelt memories,” “beautifully adorned,” and “a touching farewell” effectively evoke the mood and atmosphere.

* **Personal Touches:** The inclusion of Peter RockS eulogy and the reading of love letters add a personal and touching dimension to the story.

* **Party of Life:** You clearly highlight that the funeral was not just a somber occasion, but also a celebration of Dickie Rock’s life and impact.

* **Structure:** You divide the facts into clear sections with appropriate headings, making the piece easy to follow.



**Suggestions:**



* **expand on the Musical Aspect:** You mention Red Hurley’s performance and Richard Rock’s song “Till.” You could expand on these moments, describing the songs and the impact they had on the attendees.

* **Quotes:** Adding quotes from other attendees or fellow entertainers could provide additional perspectives and insights.

* **Legacy:** You could briefly discuss Dickie Rock’s lasting legacy and impact on Irish music.



this is a well-written and moving tribute to dickie rock. With a few additional details and expansions, it might very well be even more compelling.

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