'The Ballad Of Ronnie Drew' release dates announced

Both regional and national stations will play the song simultaneously after their 8am news bulletins tomorrow (Tuesday) morning.

The song will then be made available as a digital download on Friday (February 22) and as a physical CD single the following week (February 29).

At the request of Ronnie Drew himself, all profits from the sale of the single will go to the Irish Cancer Society.

The lyrics to 'The Ballad of Ronnie Drew' were written by Robert Hunter of the Grateful Dead with Bono, The Edge and Simon Carmody, "The idea was that we would all try to write a song for Ronnie to sing, but then it changed to writing a song about Ronnie himself", said Bono. Speaking at the time of the recording, he said: "Ronnie is like the King of Ireland, and we are his subjects. This is a big fight for him. But like any fighter, it's easier if there's a crowd cheering".

Hotpress' Niall Stokes has described the recording as "a fitting tribute" to the Dubliners legend. You can read the exclusive story of the song's recording here.