Leo Maguire facts for kids

Patrick Leo Maguire (born 1903 – died 17 December 1985) was an Irish singer, songwriter, and radio host. He was known for his many songs and for hosting a popular radio show for almost 30 years.

Early Life and Musical Training

Patrick Leo Maguire was born in the city of Dublin, Ireland. He trained to be a baritone singer. A baritone is a male singer with a voice that is deeper than a tenor but higher than a bass. His teacher was Vincent O'Brien, who also taught the famous singer John McCormack. For many years, Maguire performed with the Dublin Operatic Society, which is a group that puts on opera shows.

A Talented Songwriter

Leo Maguire was a very busy songwriter. He wrote more than 100 songs! Some of his well-known songs include "Come to the Céile," "The Old Killarney Hat," and "The Dublin Saunter." He wrote "The Dublin Saunter" for an actor named Noel Purcell. Another song, "Eileen McManus," was recorded by the singer Daniel O'Donnell.

His Most Famous Song

Maguire's most famous song is "The Whistling Gypsy." In 1954, a singer named Rose Brennan recorded her own version of this song. It was so popular that the New Musical Express magazine gave her third place for the best recording of the year. "The Whistling Gypsy" was a big hit in Ireland and later in the United States. Leo Maguire also wrote funny songs and parodies (songs that make fun of other songs) using the name Sylvester Gaffney.

A Voice on the Radio

Besides his music, Leo Maguire was also a radio broadcaster. This means he hosted shows on the radio. He worked for Radio Éireann, which is a radio station in Ireland.

The Walton's Programme

The radio show he is most remembered for is called the Walton's Programme. This was a weekly show that played popular Irish ballads. Ballads are often slow, emotional songs that tell a story. The show was "sponsored," meaning a company paid for it to be on the air. Leo Maguire would play recordings of these songs for his listeners.

He always ended each show with a special saying: "if you feel like singing, do sing an Irish song." The Walton's Programme was on the radio for almost 30 years! It finally stopped broadcasting in January 1981.