Shay Healy's tribute to The Dubliners' Jim McCann

Jim McCann would have cherished the unintended pun on 'bar' because his quick and ready wit was part of the larger than life character he already was, when he got his first taste of success as a member of The Ludlows.

The trio topped the charts with Dominic Behan's 'The Sea Around' and Jim was off on a journey, which ended, appropriately, sitting with his beloved laptop on his knee.

Twelve years ago Jim was diagnosed with throat cancer. His golden voice was stilled, but there was much more to Jim than just the music, and with unquenchable spirit, he set out to fight for his life. Happily for Jim, technology gave him back his 'voice' via the internet. It was a God-send and his writing for newspapers and his posts on Facebook unveiled an extravagant talent with the written word.

"How terribly strange to be 70. This time I definitely feel a sense of melancholy, and only partly because of wistful yearning for my lost health and vigour. Now there are no second chances at all for correcting a first impression. Now there are no roads I can retravel to rectify mistakes. Now there are even fewer chances to make things right with people I have offended.

"Now it finally feels like a little too late to start any of those dozens of projects I've been putting on the long finger for so many years - songs and books I should have written but didn't, despite the encouragement and blandishments of friends; photographs I should have taken but didn't, for no other reason than that of pure laziness; places I should have visited but didn't, smug in my belief that there would always be another journey."

Like a lot of rare people, Jim had no real perspective on himself, or how much he was revered and admired. He was too busy learning to be a really good, professional photographer. Not content with that, he learnt new skills as a graphic artist and combined both successfully. I am proud to have several 'McCann's' in my 'art' collection.

Jim will be remembered especially for two great recordings.

His version of 'Easy and Slow' was just that, in a spellbinding way, and he managed to top his own success with the memorable recording of 'Grace'.

Of course, we can't forget the sometimes rambunctious Jim who travelled the world with The Dubliners. It was Luke Kelly who invited Jim to stand in for Ciaran Bourke, who was ill at the time.

He stayed for five years and during his time with The Dubliners, he and Luke became great pals and, by all accounts, had some interesting adventures on their travels around the world.

Jim was first diagnosed with throat cancer during The Dubliners' 40th anniversary tour. I sat him down in front of a camera and recorded an interview. I can't remember what exactly we talked about, but I found the tape today and hopefully it may provide a bit of comfort to Phyl, Jim's loyal wife and companion, who cared for him so lovingly through his protracted illness.

Shay Healy is a songwriter and musician