The Dubliners of 2018, Seán Cannon is the only former member still in this group, following Eamonn Campbell's death in October 2017. The Dubliners, initially known as "The Ronnie Drew Ballad Group", formed in 1962 and made a name for themselves playing regularly in O'Donoghue's Pub in Dublin. The change of name came about because of Ronnie Drew's unhappiness with it, together with the fact that Luke Kelly was reading "Dubliners" by James Joyce at the time. Founding members were Drew, Kelly, Ciarán Bourke and Barney McKenna. Drew, McKenna and Thomas Whelan had originally teamed up for a fundraising concert and then
Young Dubliners Brendan Holmes (bass), Randy Woolford (electric and acoustic guitar) and Douglas James (drums). Based on early recordings, the Young Dubliners produced their first cassette tape of Irish folk and pop songs recorded live at the Irish Rover entitled "the Young Dubliners". After this recording, the line-up of the band changed continuously. The only constant band members during this time were bassist Brendan Holmes, guitarist Randy Woolford and drummer Douglas James. Holmes grew up near Roberts in the Dublin suburb of Dún Laoghaire. Songs like "Dirty Old Town", "Fisherman's Blues" and "Rocky Road to Dublin" became essential songs. After having been