John was born in Dublin on 19 May, 1939. His father, a native of Limerick, was a member of the Gardai Siochanna (Irish Police Force) stationed in Dublin. John went to school to the local Christian Brothers in Marino. He began to take an active interest in music when he was about twelve years old. Careful scrutiny of a school photograph taken at that time shows four members of the music class who have made music their careers with varying degrees of success. They are: John himself, Paddy Moloney of the Chieftains, and Leon and Liam Rowsome, sons of a very famous father.
John's hobbies include tinkering with cars, home improvement and decoration, gardening and latterly cooking — an art for which he had a decided talent.
He married Mary Morgan from Ballybay, County Monaghan, on 8 April 1967. They have three children, Siobhan, Fiacre and Eoin. The family moved into the country in 1976.
He admires the music of the Beatles and the skill of Louis Armstrong, likes American bluegrass fiddle music and has a deep respect for the artistry of Seán Maguire, the traditional Irish fiddler.
On Good Friday 1977 while in Australia John Sheahan celebrated his tenth wedding anniversary. Barney tried to persuade the teetotal John to drink a glass of champagne to mark the occasion. When John was reluctant to comply Barney urged, 'Ah come on John. After all it's not every year you celebrate a wedding anniversary'.
source: The Dubliners Scrapbook (1978)
John Sheahan is the last surviving member of the definitive five-member line-up of The Dubliners. He joined The Dubliners in 1964 and played with them until 2012 when The Dubliners' name was retired following the death of founding member Barney McKenna.
