The drummer of famous Manchester band The Smiths has revealed that they see themselves as sons of Ireland.
Mike Joyce, whose drum beats dominated the music charts with The Smiths for five years from 1982 to 1987, was born in England – but said: “I am Irish.”
Joyce, 59; lead singer Steven Patrick Morrissey, 63; lead guitarist Johnny Marr, 58; and Andy Rourke, 58, all have undeniable Irish heritage.
Read More: Morrissey savages former Smiths bandmate Johnny Marr in scathing open letter
Joyce’s mum is from Portarlington in Co Laois and his dad is from Shrule in Co Mayo.
Mike said yesterday: “When your mum and dad are Irish, then I consider myself to be Irish.
“I was born in England and I have a British passport, but I also have an Irish passport and I’m Irish and that’s just the way it is.
“Johnny is the same way. Our parents were out dancing in the social club at the weekends and would go to church on Sunday.”
Marr celebrated his Irishness in November 2018 when a plaque was unveiled in Athy, Co Kildare, to mark his parents’ hometown.
He founded the band and said in 2016: “I brought everybody in and it just happened that we all came from Irish families.”
Morrissey famously traced his roots to Dublin and discovered in 2013 that he is a cousin of Ireland soccer legend Robbie Keane, 42.
In 2004, he released a solo single titled Irish Blood, English Heart.
Rourke’s father was Irish and his mum was English.
As well The Smiths, Manchester band Oasis's main frontmen - brothers Noel, 55, and Liam Gallagher, 50 - also trace their roots to Ireland as mum Peggy came from Charlestown in Co Mayo.
Stone Roses guitarist Gary ‘Mani’ Mountfield, 59, also had a plaque unveiled in Athy, Co Kildare, in November 2018 to mark his mother’s hometown.
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