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LAST UPDATE | 12 Oct 2021
PRESIDENT MICHAEL D Higgins has lead tributes following the death of Paddy Moloney, founder of The Chieftains and an iconic figure in Irish traditional music.
The piper, composer and producer, who was in his 80s, was from Donnycarney in Dublin. Moloney grew up in a musical family and played various instruments including the tin whistle and uilleann pipes. He was a student of legendary piper Leo Rowsome.
Moloney originally formed The Chieftains in 1962. In their nearly six decade career they have been six-time Grammy Award winners and have been recognised internationally for reinventing Irish music and for transcending musical boundaries.
Over the decades they collaborated or performed with artists as diverse as Emmylou Harris, The Dubliners, Tom Jones and The Rolling Stones.
His death was confirmed this afternoon.
In a statement the President said: “The Irish music community, and indeed the much larger community throughout the world who found such inspiration in his work, will have learnt with great sadness today of the passing of Paddy Moloney, founder and leader of the Chieftains.
“Paddy, with his extraordinary skills as an instrumentalist, notably the uilleann pipes and bodhrán, was at the forefront of the renaissance of interest in Irish music, bringing a greater appreciation of Irish music and culture internationally.
“Not only as a consummate musician himself, but as a founder member of Claddagh Records together with Garech de Brún, he brought a love of Irish music not just to the diaspora, but to all those across the world who heard his music and appreciated it for its own sake as it transcended all musical boundaries.”
Taoiseach Micheál Martin echoed the president’s statement.
He said: “So sad to hear of the passing of Paddy Moloney. The term ‘legend’ is regularly overused, but hard to think of any other way to describe this giant of Irish music and culture. GRMA Paddy for your massive contribution to the life of our nation. RIP.”
Earlier, the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) said Moloney made an enormous contribution to Irish traditional music, song and dance and has left a wonderful legacy.
ITMA director Liam O’Connor said Moloney had a “phenomenal impact on traditional music in Ireland but also throughout the world.”
O’Connor told The Journal that the uilleann pipes were in danger of dying out when Moloney began learning the instrument from Rowsome.
“He is a very important link with, what could have been, the last of the uilleann pipers,” O’Connor explained.
“To learn directly from Leo Rowsome, who was one of the only people making, playing and teaching the uilleann pipes. So, the whole instrument may have not have survived, only for the likes of Paddy went to Leo Rowsome. Liam O’Flynn would be in that category too.
There’s people in Japan that are making and playing the uilleann pipes because Paddy Moloney and The Chieftains played in Tokyo in the 1990s or 2000s. He inspired a worldwide interest in Irish traditional music and changed a lot of people’s lives for the better.
Minster for Arts Catherine Martin paid tribute to the musician today.
“With the passing of Paddy Moloney, we have lost a giant of the national cultural landscape,” she said.
“Through the Chieftains, he brought the joy of Irish music to a global audience. His music was a source of celebration and pride for all of us. Suaimhneas síoraí dá anam.”
In a statement this afternoon, the National Concert Hall said it was deeply saddened to hear of Moloney’s passing.
“Ireland has today lost a true talent, and advocate for traditional music with the passing of Paddy Maloney,” NCH chairperson Maura McGrath said.
“His musical achievements with The Chieftains were, and will continue to be, recognised as outstanding, transcending all musical boundaries, and connecting Irish people everywhere with their unique sound.
“Paddy’s contribution to, and support of the National Concert Hall throughout his lifetime has been immense.”
Contains reporting from Stephen McDermott and Cónal Thomas.
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Loss of a national treasure.
R.I.P. Paddy.
RIP Paddy. Right up there with Luke, Jim McCann, Ronnie Drew and so many others. A huge loss to not only the Irish music scene but much further afield also, to every corner of Europe, Asia and the Americas where they always seemed to have a following.
I am English by birth, but I always enjoyed the music of the Chieftains, especially Paddy Moloney. RIP genius of Irish music, your like will be hard to find again.
He looked great on the late late around the end of last year, new year’s special i think. He was on a zoom call and whipped out a tin whistle from his pocket and played a tune. A national treasure, rest in peace.
He gave so much enjoyment to so many people. A great loss to the Irish traditional legacy!
If there was ever a man who had Ireland in his soul…..
RIP Paddy.
ah jaysus! RIP
@Miriam: no Paddy.
He played at my Grandads funeral with a set of my Grandads pipes, I’ve seen him live a few times since, RIP Paddy. Thanks for everything.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam uasal.
He entertained the world, not just Ireland which he also helped to stand out internationally, in the field of music. Ireland now mourns a great loss. My condolences to his family and friends.
RIP
Rip Paddy. Long time family friend from the late 70′s and 80′s. My dad rescued him in the snowstorm in wicklow with a bottle of whisky. Those were the days.
A real national treasure, may his God bless him
Rip.
Great loss to all.
A musical genius.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a Anam dílis.
End of an era RIP. Condolences to his family.
His tin whistle solo on the lowlands of holland is a thing of beauty.
Ah another great legend of Irish music departs to the great concert in the sky. He was a true genius R.I.P. Paddy
Such a gentleman, may he rest in peace
RIP legend
Aww. Terrible loss. May he rest in peace.
One of irelands best loved musician. Rest in peace Paddy.
Brilliant man
Very sad news RIP Paddy
:(
Scíth a ligean
RIP. Was he part of Sean O’Riada music and influence in early years?
@Tim Oleary: Yes, the Ceoltoiri Chualann. If you look up the Nationwide episode on the RTE player from last Friday week when they did the special on Sean you will spot paddy a few times in the pictures.
A real legend of Irish music and a huge legacy left behind.
@Pete Trevaskis: Appreciated
@Tim Oleary: Yes. But in my opinion he is far more important than O’Riada, and is truly responsible for the revival of traditional Irish music. O’Riada was a brilliant academic. But Moloney was a pure musician to his soul. Ar dheis dé.
His Legacy to us will live on through the many many people he inspired. He is one of those people who always made you smile while tapping your feet and he always gave more than he received. He may have moved on but his music will always be with us. Ar dheis De go raibh a Anam dilis
A true gem, RIP.
My granny used to live next door to him. Very nice neighbour. He brought her in cooked meals when she couldn’t cook any more
Sad news.
RIP.
One of the all time greats. He was the original collaborator always thinking outside the box. He is highly regarded across the world and will continue to be so. Music, particularly Irish music, has lost a true legend. Rest easy Paddy.
He brought joy to all who embraced his music style. What an inspiration to all. He and Liam Og O Floinn were the architects of the transition from the old traditional Irish music to the broader outward looking style of today. RIP.
Great musician and entertainer rolled into one. His commentaries between playing were always interesting and jovial…RIP
Such a sad week for traditional music with the loss of Paddy Moloney and Tony McMahon.
RIP Paddy.
RIP a true legend.
What a legend RIP
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