The man often dubbed the ‘forgotten man of Oasis’ has been honoured in Co Offaly.
Tony McCarroll, who was the drummer with the band until 1995, returned to Kinnitty where a blue plaque was unveiled.
More than 100 people gathered at Kinnitty Parish Hall where McCarroll was honoured at the place where his first rehearsed public performance - a 1980 school nativity in which he played drums - took place.
“It must have sounded ridiculous but the village have never forgotten that,” he told RTÉ.
“They saw the success with the band, but now they’ve recognised me and the band, they’ve brought me back to give this blue plaque and it’s an absolute honour.”
The plaque unveiling comes just days after Oasis confirmed they are to reunite for a series of comeback gigs across the UK and Ireland next year.
Noel Gallagher and his brother Liam said they had put their acrimonious split behind them, confirming the band’s long-awaited reunion by saying: “The great wait is over”.
Speaking as tickets for the much-anticipated shows went on general sale on Saturday, McCarroll said he was shocked at the ticket price debacle.
“I’ve never seen prices like that. It isn’t any of my business I suppose, but between promoters, this, that and the other, who knows what’s going on behind the scenes,” he said.
“We haven’t seen the line up yet, I’ve got a feeling there’s going to be some amazing bands on that line up.
“They [the tickets] are a little bit expensive, considering, back in my day, to be in Oasis and selling the tickets for a pittance we really did think about the fans.”
John McFadden, a friend of McCarroll who hosted the event, also said his pal was humbled and honoured by the recognition of the village.
“Tony is actually the first person who has ever had a plaque or any kind of an acknowledgement like that in the village,” he said.
“He’s really, really proud, and we’re really proud that he’s been attached to this village.
“We’re talking about somebody who definitely maybe sold over eight million copies worldwide.
“Then he was featured on the first number one single ‘Some Might Say’, that was on the album ‘What’s the Story Morning Glory’, and that sold about 34 million copies.
“So, for Kinnitty to be attached to an artist of that calibre and proud of it, we’re just really, really proud.”
