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Well known and universally respected Newry musician, Mickey Doran has died following a period of ill health.
picked up a lifetime achievement award at the event with the help of Gabby Curran
and Gene Fitzpatrick.
A real Newry legend, Mickey, 85, was lead guitarist with the Hilton Showband who entertained throughout Ireland and much further afield for well over 40 years. During his life he mingled with many well known faces in the entertainment and sporting industry including Pele, George Best and Tom Jones to name but a few.
Commenting on a photo of Mickey with Tom one person summed up how revered and respected Mickey was "so cool to meet a legend like that, bet Tom Jones couldn't believe his luck"
Always full of fun and willing to support local causes, without question Mickey could be seen with his trusty Castrol GTX guitar almost anywhere in Newry and was more than happy to rattle out a few tunes, whether it was in the Canal Court Hotel or a shop window in the Buttercrane, or on the street it didn't matter - the showmanship was there for all to see and he thoroughly enjoyed each and every minute of it.
What a wonderful privilege it was to be part of Mickeys world. At one stage in 2012, this snapper embarked on a 'tour of Newry' with Mickey, and boy was it fun. We called in local shops, stopped on the street with random passerbys and all were overjoyed to get their picture with a genuine Newry star. On another occasion I was called to take a picture of him complete with guitar beside an old house ruin - I was never sure of the reason behind that one but it was, as always a great bit of crack.
Mickey will be deeply missed by his heartbroken children, Michael, Nicola, Catherine and Gavin, grandchildren, Rowan, Nina, Erin, Clara, Sophie, Michael, Jonathan and Niall, daughters in law Samantha and Seanin and siblings Theresa, Alice, Paddy, Danny and Brendan, all his family and all of his friends.
He is being waked at his son's house today Monday 19 from 2pm - 9pm and his Funeral Mass will be held tomorrow 20 May at St Catherine's Dominican, Newry at 12.30pm with his burial afterwards at St Mary's graveyard.
Deepest sympathy to all his family and friends.
