Jimmy Faulkner who died on March 4, 2008, was one of the most versatile and respected guitarists in Ireland. He hailed originally from the South Circular Road where he grew up near Dolphins Barn in Dublin.

John Faulkner (seated right) on the cover of Christy Moore's 'Live in Dublin' CD with Donal Lunny

He became a regular in the sessions in the Meeting Place in Dublin in the 70s. He recorded with Christy Moore, Paul Brady (Hard Station), Donal Lunny, Mairtin O’Connor, Mary Coughlan and many others.

As a musician, Faulkner toured with Christy Moore, Paul Brady,  Jim Page, Mary Coughlan, Niall O Callanain, Kieran Halpin, Francie Conway, Luka Bloom, Phil Callery, Lorraine Jordan, Martin Murray and Matt Manning.

As accomplished in blues and jazz as he was in folk music, he played with Red Peters and was a member of the Hotfoot jazz band with the late Declan McNelis and more recently he had been playing in The Houseshakers, with drummer Nollaig Bridgeman.

According to The Irish Times, it is understood that he was admitted to hospital a week before his death with advanced liver cancer.

Christy Moore said Jimmy Faulkner would always be “remembered with love, as a close friend and a wonderful musician.”

Paul Brady told Hot Press: “While guitar players like myself struggled to do what we did, with Jimmy it seemed to come quite naturally. He was a very fluid player. Our career paths later went in different directions, but we would chat any time we met at a gig. Last time I saw him play was at at a show about six months ago with Nollaig Bridgeman and James Delaney at McGowan’s. He was a very talented man, the kind we take for granted, and then they’re gone.”

RTE’s Ronan Collins said he was the “ultimate side man. He had no interest in the limelight and was a real working musician.”

Jimmy Faulkner is survived by his wife Pauline, daughter Catherine and son Jamel.