Musician and farmer Johnny Shankey passes away

Well known north Meath farmer and singer Johnny Shankey has died, aged 91.

Johnny of Drakerath, Carlanstown, passed away peacefully at the Mater Hospital yesterday.

It was the passing of his beloved wife of 50 years, Molly, that inspired Johnny to write his first song, 'Molly and Me' while in his seventies and since then he recorded many songs and raised tens of thousands of euro for cancer charities from the sale of his CDs. He also lost his mother Elizabeth, aged 47, and his daughter Ena to the disease.

Johnny's country songs included 'Coming home to Nobber' and 'Carnaross on a Monday', and were often featured on LMFM's the Green Scene. 

His remains will be reposing at his home on Friday evening between 2pm and 5pm with removal to the Church of St Michael, Staholmog arriving at 7pm. Funeral Mass takes place on Saturday morning at 11am with burial afterwards in adjoining cemetery.