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Ronnie Drew reintroduced Ireland to its own songs, one his grieving friends claimed today.

A steady stream of mourners, many from the world of Irish music, filed into the home of The Dubliners’ founder for the traditional Irish send-off this afternoon.

Some, including Paul Brady, Shay Healy and Phil Coulter, were clearly emotional, as they emerged from the folk legend’s wake at Greystones, Co Wicklow.

A tearful Brady thumped at his heart as he spoke briefly about the last time he worked with one of his music heroes on an album in recent years.

“A whole era has come to an end,” he said. “One of the most original Irish balladeers has gone, unfortunately.

“Ronnie Drew influenced all of us.”

Songwriter and broadcaster Shay Healy, a close friend of Drew’s for 40 years, was visibly upset as he recounted speaking with him on the telephone in recent weeks.

“He left an indelible mark on the [music] industry in so much as he inspired so many people,” he said. “He turned a lot of people on to Irish ballads, he re-introduced us to our own songs. I’m just glad to say he was my friend.”

Despite his rapidly declining health, Drew continued to show up at the gigs of his friends over the past weeks to show his support, said Healy.

He said the world-renowned singer and musician was one of the most generous men, with his time and company, that he knew.

“And that voice. It was unmistakable,” he said. “If you were at the North Pole and you heard that voice, you would say: That’s Ronnie Drew.”

Drew, who died on Saturday, aged 73, will be buried tomorrow after funeral Mass at the Church of the Holy Rosary, Greystones.

He will be laid to rest beside his wife Deirdre, who died last year, at Redford Cemetery in the town.