Irish music legends set to honour Dickie Rock as funeral takes place this morning

Showband legend Dickie Rock will be laid to rest today on December 12th 2024.

The Irish music icon died on Friday at the age of 88 in St Vincent's Hospital in Dublin.

His friends and family and all those who knew him are due to honour him as his funeral takes place from 10:15am at the Church of the Most Precious Blood in his home town of Cabra.

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The Irish Mirror reports that showband legend Red Hurley is among those expected to perform, while among the mourners may be Twink and U2’s Adam Clayton.

A spokesperson for Mr Rock's family confirmed the sad news of his passing last week.

“The children of Dickie Rock are saddened to confirm that he passed away peacefully today (6th December 2024).

“His children, Jason, John, Richard, Sarah Jane and Peter will miss him very much. Dickie lost his beloved Judy in 2022 and they are now together again, and that is of some comfort to the family. The family ask for privacy to grieve at this very sad time.”

Mr Rock’s official death notice reads: “Dickie's official death notice reads: "Richard (Dickie) Rock, Donnybrook and Cabra West, Dublin, passed away on 6th of December 2024, peacefully, surrounded by his loving children at St. Vincent’s University Hospital.

"Beloved husband, father, grandfather and brother. Father of Jason, John, Richard, Sarah-Jane and Peter. Pre-deceased by his son Joseph and beloved wife Judy."

"He will be sadly missed by his family, grandchildren Ben, Mia, May, Rueben, Noah, Rosie and Robin, daughters-in-law, Ruth, Aisling and Sadaf, his brother and sisters and a wide circle of friends."

There was an outpouring of grief following the notice of his death, with both President Michael D Higgins and Tanaiste Michael Martin among those who paid tribute.

President Higgins said: “May I join with all those who have expressed their sadness on learning of the death of Dickie Rock."

"The showband period in Irish popular culture made a huge contribution to the history of Irish music, and indeed to that of Britain where many of the showbands toured during Lent as ballrooms in Ireland closed. The major showbands such as the Miami Showband produced star performers, of whom Dickie Rock was an iconic figure.”