Update on 19 September: Sandie’s family has confirmed that she has passed away. Our original article remains below. The GoFundMe page remains open.
Sandie Jones, the only singer ever to sing in Irish at Eurovision, is nearing the end of her life. Ireland’s Eurovision 1972 singer is currently in a hospice in the United States and, according to her brother, has been unresponsive since last Thursday. Now her brother Tony has opened a GoFundMe campaign to fulfil her final wish: to be buried in her homeland of Ireland alongside her parents.
You can follow this GoFundMe link to make a donation.
Forty-seven years ago, a young Sandie Jones represented Ireland with “Ceol an Ghrá” (Music of Love). Despite only placing 15th on a very tight scoreboard, the track went on to top the Irish Singles Chart. Since then Ireland has never sent a song in their native language to the contest. But the entry has stayed in our hearts ever since 1972.
Let’s take a trip down memory lane…
Jones went on to have a long-lasting career in Ireland. She performed as part of The Dixies and The Royal Earls Showband, and is considered something of a national treasure.
The fundraiser
Tony Jones, Sandie’s brother, has taken the responsibility of granting Sandie her last wish. But he can not do it without your support. Four days ago he opened a GoFundMe campaign. The brothers currently reside in the United States and need help from friends and fans to get Sandie buried alongside her parents.
On his Facebook page, Tony appealed to his friends, saying that “Sandie is still very weak and needs our prayers.”
“For anyone who may not be familiar with hospice care in America — it means that the patient is coming towards end of life”.
He then estimated that Sandie has six months, at most, to live. “Please keep Sandie in your prayers.”
Posted by Tony Jones on Tuesday, September 17, 2019
The wiwibloggs team offers our deepest condolences to Sandie’s family and friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. RIP Sandie, and all my sympathy to her family. Hopefully some day soon someone else will bring gaeilge back to the Eurovision stage.
rip
RIP Sandie.
Edit: Disregard this post. I just saw the update. 🙁
Sandie, I recall, was a guest mentor in the Irish national selection for JESC 2016. I sincerely hope her family can manage to fulfill her wish.
I would be interested in seeing what would happen if TG4 took on selection duties for at least a year. Ireland need to bring that Celtic energy again!
Isn’t it a bit premature to be offering “deepest condolences”? She is still alive, after all.
I hope she gets her dying wish.
Okay, now she’s dead. Rest in peace. https://t.co/MbvVZZ9tOy?amp=1
Terribly sad news. She will always have a unique and amazing achievement at Eurovision, one that is love to see repeated at the adult contest again.
It’s a nice song…here’s a short interview with its songwriter, where he discusses how it came about…if anybody’s interested. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdc8TTYq8j0