Mayo native and former Royal Blues member Vincent Gill laid to rest

THE news of the passing of Vincent Gill, Killiney, Dublin, was received with sadness in his native Mayo and in showband circles around the country. Vincent, who was a native of Murneen, Claremorris, was a member of the legendary Royal Blues Showband who enjoyed huge success around Ireland and overseas during the 1960s.

Vincent (81, pictured), who died in the kind care of the staff at Blackrock Hospice following a relatively short illness, was trombone player with the band and also rendered some country songs along with his standard, The Boys from the County Mayo. His brother Frank, who died in 2018 at the age of 78, was bandleader with The Royal Blues who were fronted by Doc Carroll and Shay O’Hara. They were managed by Andy Creighton from Claremorris who was one of the highest profile managers in the country in those times.

The Royal Blues brought great joy and delight to the county and Doc Carroll’s rendition of Old Man Trouble saw them become the first band from the West of Ireland to reach Number I in the Irish Top 20. That was back in 1966 during the halcyon days of the showband era.

Vincent loved his many trips down from Dublin to Murneen and meeting friends in Claremorris, Knock and Kiltimagh. He enjoyed many days lending support to his beloved Mayo and also to Tipperary, the home county of his wife, Joan, nee Hanley from Templemore.

Vincent was an exemplary gentleman who was blessed with an innate sense of goodness and kindness and he touched the hearts of so many people all down the years.

The Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr John Sinnott in the Church of Our Lady of Good Counsel, Killiney, on Saturday and was followed by interment in Kilternan Cemetery.

Vincent will be greatly missed by his wife Joan and their sons Ronan and Paul, daughter-in-law Gráinne, grandchildren Cameron, Daragh and Seán, sister Teresa, brother-in-law Thomas, sisters-in-law Mary, Ann and Pam (England), nephews, nieces, relatives, friends and neighbours.