DUBLIN'S lord mayor Emer Costello says she is planning to present a petition to Dublin City Council urging it to fast-track a memorial to music legend Ronnie Drew.

She has invited a delegation of musicians and songwriters to meet her in the Mansion House to hand over the petition.

Ireland's biggest music acts have backed the appeal and are pushing for the memorial to be built sooner than the minimum 20-year wait.

Singer-songwriter Damien Dempsey has welcomed the idea of creating a monument to Drew in the near future.

"It still saddens me that I won't see the legendary Ronnie knocking around the town anymore, the quintessential Dub and the voice of the city. If there was a statue of him erected somewhere, the place wouldn't seem as empty," he said.

Singer Paul Brady has also added his support. "Ronnie's voice, sensibility, talent and performing style, while unique to him, came in time to represent Dublin, a kind of Dublin fast disappearing and a Dublin to be proud of. Ronnie indeed was 'the heart of the rowl'," said Brady.

Terje OEye, who created the tribute website to Drew's group The Dubliners, said the singer was one of Ireland's finest music ambassadors.

"Ronnie Drew was a unique man, a unique artist, a unique singer. The monument should already be in place somewhere in Dublin. It's a shame that you need to be dead for several decades to get the recognition you deserve.

"I don't think the Irish people actually know or recognise how much Ronnie and The Dubliners mean to people all over the world. They're not just a bunch of bearded folk singers – they're probably the best ambassadors Ireland could ever have," he said.

Also backing the petition are singers Eleanor Shanley, Eleanor McEvoy and Mary Coughlan, and Sean Smyth of traditional folk band Lúnasa.