An old pal of Horslips has died.

George Byrne - music and film journalist. Appeared in the DVD Return of the Dancehall Sweethearts where he compared Horslips to rural electricfication.

I think he used to post in the old old green Guestbook as Island Red.

RIP George.

RIP George

Rest in Peace. He was a journalist with quite a humourous (and sometimes not so!) edge, but LOVED Horslips. Thanks Brendan... nice to post his passing on here.

Here are some links about George...
first from Eamon

https://twitter.com/carrtogram/status/584303336779866112

http://www.herald.ie/news/eamon-carr- ... rare-talent-31116880.html

next from Alan O'Keeffe

http://www.herald.ie/news/a-legend-ha ... -byrne-dies-31115576.html

and from Declan Lynch

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/com ... eorge-byrne-31118374.html


And what I understand to be George's own last published article..

http://www.independent.ie/opinion/col ... ly-go-wrong-31118052.html

Although I met him myself a few times I didn't really known him, yet he was very familiar to me. I admired him greatly for what he wrote and how he wrote it. Since i started to pay attention he was there at every important juncture for Horslips. Never a sycophant, his writing was honest, gritty, and oozing credibility.

A little memory I have is seeing him at a Radiators gig and during Chevron's song "Under Clerys Clock", George embraced the moment and one of his pals, and waltzed for Philip.

While reading the links above tonight you get a sense what he was. He believed what he wrote.

I'm saddened that he's gone.
Stephen

Attended my old pals funeral yesterday, was chuffed to hear Tom Dunne mention Discount Sounds in Wexford St. as it was me who invited John to come in and give me a dig out on saturdays. The amount of unsaleable shite he ordered when I wasnt looking! It was also me and John who organised the buses out to Red Island and other venues at the height of Lipsmania, had forgotten we left him behind one night but not at all surprised. We hung around for a few years but eventually went our separate ways for no reason at all. Met him for the last time five years ago at a reunion and had a great old chat about everything especially Bohs and Rovers (come back to Dalyer Eamon we need your fifteen euro!)

One of the five men we idolised as teenagers and set upon pedestals fifty foot high carried his coffin yesterday.............

Rest in peace John, but knowing you that might be impossible!

I am afraid that I did not know of George but as he was of significance to many of you, I am sure he was a good man and a sad loss.

Lovely to see you back, RicochetMan....and of course some fine postings this week from our very own Stefan!

Best to all, John R.