Daniel O’Donnell Sings Through Tears at Bandmate Ronnie Kennedy’s Funeral

Donegal, Ireland — A wave of sorrow swept through the Irish music community this week as Daniel O’Donnell said a final goodbye to his beloved friend and bandmate Ronnie Kennedy, who passed away on Friday following a long battle with cancer. For more than three decades, Ronnie’s accordion and keyboard melodies were the heartbeat of Daniel’s band — and on Wednesday, it was Daniel’s turn to give back, singing his friend home with the songs they once shared on stage.

At a moving funeral service filled with emotion, Daniel O’Donnell performed heartfelt renditions of “In The Garden,” “Remember Me,” “Rainbow’s End,” and “The Rare Ould Times.” Each note carried both grief and gratitude — the voice of a man mourning not just a fellow musician, but a brother in spirit.

On Facebook, Daniel shared the heartbreaking news with fans. “It is with great sadness that I write this message,” he said. “My good friend Ronnie Kennedy passed away this morning. Ronnie had been ill for some time, and his wife Fran and all his family wanted me to thank you for your prayers during this time.”

He continued, reflecting on their decades together: “As you know, Ronnie was part of my band for over 30 years. We shared some wonderful times together, and I have great memories of all the many things we did. I am very grateful that I got to spend some precious time with Ronnie last Friday to say goodbye. Our loss is heaven’s gain. There will be great music and laughter in heaven now that Ronnie is there.”

Daniel’s tribute ended with a message of sympathy to Ronnie’s family — his wife Fran, children Alan, Karen, Gary, Derek, and Laura, and his grandchildren. “Rest in peace, Grandad,” he wrote — a simple phrase that spoke volumes about the closeness of their bond.

During the service, Ronnie’s son delivered a deeply touching eulogy, painting a portrait of a man who was not only a gifted musician but also a beacon of kindness and humor. “Ronnie was an incredibly talented artist,” he said, “but our dad was an even more brilliant person than he was an artist. He lived by kindness and generosity, always going out of his way to make people feel better.”

Even in his final days, Ronnie’s warmth never faded. “When speaking to his carers,” his son recalled, “all he ever said was, ‘I’m dead on.’ That was him — positive, humble, and full of grace right to the end.”

He also shared a few laughs, remembering his father’s famous “Ronnieisms” — moments that captured his humor and humanity. “He’d mix up words,” he said fondly. “He’d say LSD lights instead of LED lights, and during Covid, he kept calling it ‘lock up’ instead of lockdown.” The congregation smiled through tears — a fitting reminder that even in farewell, Ronnie could make people laugh.

As friends, family, and fellow musicians filled the church, the atmosphere was one of deep affection and gratitude. Ronnie Kennedy was not just a band member — he was part of the fabric of Daniel O’Donnell’s musical family, a man whose laughter and melodies brought joy to countless audiences across Ireland and beyond.

In the end, as Daniel’s voice filled the church one last time, it was clear that Ronnie’s legacy would live on — in every song, every memory, and every note that carried his spirit forward.

“Our loss is heaven’s gain,” Daniel had said — and for those who knew Ronnie Kennedy, those words could not be more true.