Downpatrick folk musician loses battle with corona

Downpatrick folk musician loses battle with corona

22 April 2020

A FORMER Downpatrick man, who died from COVID-19 in England, bravely tried to recover at home for “another day”, said his grieving brother.

Popular folk musician Fran O’Dwyer was found dead by his partner the morning after he was advised by the NHS 111 service to stay at home if he could.

His brother, Conn, said that the 63 year-old “doting” grandfather had no underlying health conditions, but was unable to beat the virus after he and his partner, Alison, both contracted it. He died nearly two weeks ago.

Conn said: “Fran and Alison caught the virus and initially they had cold-like symptoms which got progressively worse. Alison slowly got better but Fran struggled. She was nursing him from home as they were self-isolating with their children ped off supplies and treats.

“They did contact 111 and were advised to call again if it got worse but also to stay at home if he could. Fran obviously thought he could beat it at home and tried to give it another day. He told Alison he would sleep downstairs on the settee and the next morning she found him passed away.”

He added the whole family had been left heartbroken by the loss in Runcorn, Cheshire, where the O’Dwyer family had made their home after parents Michael and Mary O’Dwyer, left their home in Stream Street, Downpatrick, 52 years ago. Fran, also known as Frank, was aged 11 at the time.

“It’s a cruel situation when we all need to be there for one and other yet we can’t comfort each other in this moment of grief,” said Conn. “There are no hugs nor shoulders to cry on due to the pandemic lockdown and social-distancing.”

While his brother’s funeral has not been arranged, Conn said his family were “begging people to stay at home and stay safe, take care of their families in his memory”.

Fran was one of eight children, the others being Eamon, William (deceased), Mickey (deceased), Patsy, Conn, Joanna, and Catherine. The family’s love of Co Down remained — Mickey chose to be buried at the foot of the Mournes last year.

Fran was best known for singing, writing, and performing Irish country music and had been touring for more than 25 years and supporting fellow artists such as the Wolfe Tones, Joe Dolan, the Fureys and Brendan Shine.

He was also well known on the Irish music scene for his songwriting ability and had dozens of songs published and recorded by many leading Irish artists including Dermot Heggerty, Curtis McGee and many others. One song, The Clock on the Wall, has since become a standard in Irish music.

Conn added that Fran, who attended St Patrick’s Boys’ Primary School in Downpatrick “would recall many a childhood friendship of his birth places, and friendship with families like the Watsons, Connollys, Fitzsimmons and Currans among many others”.

This led him to pen yet another song lyric, entitled Just a Memory, which was covered by Brendan Shine.

Fran leaves behind Alison, his partner for 40 years, Alison’s two sons, Christopher and Matthew, and their daughter, Mary, along with his grandson Tommy, to whom he was devoted. He also leaves behind family members in Downpatrick, including his eldest brother, Eamonn, nieces, nephews and cousins.