Paddy Killoran facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paddy Killoran
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| Background information | |
| Born | 21 September 1903 Emlaghgissan, near Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland |
| Died | 24 April 1965 (aged 61) New York, New York, United States |
| Genres | Irish folk |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, Bandleader, Bar/restaurant owner, record company owner |
| Instruments | Fiddle |
| Years active | c. 1925–1963 |
| Labels | Crown, Decca, Dublin |
| Associated acts | Paddy Sweeney |
Patrick J. Killoran (1903–1965) was a famous Irish traditional fiddle player. He led bands and recorded many songs. People remember him as one of the best fiddle players from the Sligo area. He was active during a special time in the 1920s and 1930s when many Irish musicians recorded their music. He is often mentioned with other great fiddlers like James Morrison and Michael Coleman.
Contents
Paddy Killoran's Early Life in Ireland
Paddy Killoran was born on September 21, 1903. His birthplace was Emlaghgissan, a small area near Ballymote in County Sligo, Ireland. Music was a big part of his family. His father, Patrick, played the flute, and his mother, Mary, played the concertina.
Young Paddy also learned from a local fiddle expert, Philip O'Beirne. Philip had also taught another famous fiddler, Michael Coleman. As a teenager, Paddy was involved in the fight for Ireland's independence.
Moving to New York and Leading Bands
In 1925, Paddy Killoran moved to New York City. He arrived on May 19. When he first arrived, he listed his job as a "laborer." Soon after, he decided to become a U.S. citizen.
He later lived with another Sligo fiddler, James Morrison. They even advertised together, offering "Irish music." Paddy soon started his own music career. He became a solo artist and a bandleader.
Paddy's First Bands
Around 1928, Paddy Killoran had a quartet. This group included D. Casey on accordion, Richard Curran on banjo, and Denis Murphy as a second fiddler. By 1929, Paddy was playing on a weekly radio show. This show was sponsored by the Pride of Erin Ballrooms in Brooklyn.
Paddy also tried other jobs. In 1931, he listed his job as "Music store owner."
Playing for Dancers
Paddy Killoran's "Irish Orchestra" played music for Irish dancing. They performed at the Pride of Erin and later at the Sligo Ballroom in Harlem. Another musician, Jack Healy, led a group for "American" dancing at the same venues. Healy also sang and played with Killoran's band.
Over the 1930s, many musicians played in Killoran's group. These included fiddler Paddy Sweeney, Paul Ryan (who played fiddle and clarinet), and Jim Ryan on sax. They also had pianists, a drummer, accordion players, and a banjo player.
Different Band Names
Paddy's band used many names. Some of them were "Pride of Erin Orchestra" and "Sligo Ballroom Orchestra." They were also called "Lakes of Sligo Orchestra" and "Irish Barn Dance Boys." His group was very popular for county association events.
In 1932, Paddy led a band that traveled to Ireland. They went with Cardinal O'Connell of Boston for a big event called the Eucharistic Congress. For a short time, his group was even called the "Pride of Erin Eucharistic Congress Orchestra." He often performed at Irish resorts in New York.
Continuing His Music Career
Paddy Killoran was special because he kept playing music through the 1950s. Most other major Irish musicians from New York stopped after World War II. He released new recordings, including duets with flute player Mike Flynn. He also led a busy dance band.
Eventually, due to age and illness, he had to retire. In 1962, he handed over his band to accordionist Joe Madden. Joe Madden is the father of Joanie Madden, a famous flute player from the group Cherish the Ladies.
Recording Music and Starting Businesses
Starting in 1931, Paddy Killoran made many recordings. He recorded as a solo artist, in duets with Paddy Sweeney, and with his bands. His music was released on labels like Crown and Decca. His recording career lasted into the 1950s.
He recorded with Paul Ryan and guitarist Jack McKenna. He also made tracks with Sligo flute player Mike Flynn. Some of Paddy's old recordings have been re-released on newer CDs.
Paddy Killoran was also known for writing Irish dance tunes. One famous tune he wrote is "The Maid of Mt. Kisco," a reel that is still popular today. He recorded it in 1937.
Beyond Music
Even though he was popular, playing and recording music was not always enough to earn a living. In 1942, during World War II, his draft card showed he worked for an insurance company.
That same year, Paddy opened "Killoran's Tavern." This was a bar and restaurant in Manhattan. After the war, he also ran a "cabaret" in the South Bronx with Jim Cleary.
In 1956, Paddy Killoran helped start the "Dublin Recording Company." This company, later known as "Dublin Records," recorded new Irish music in New York.
Helping Other Musicians
Paddy Killoran was a founding member of the Emerald Irish Musicians Benevolent Society. This group held concerts to raise money for Irish musicians in New York who were sick or had passed away. He was also a member of the Irish Musicians Association of America. A New York branch of this group was named after him.
Paddy Killoran's Personal Life and Legacy
Paddy Killoran returned to Ireland at least twice. In 1949, he played on a radio show there. Some of these recordings were later released on CD. In 1960, he visited Sligo and Clare and performed in a concert.
Paddy was married twice. His first wife, Anna Gorman, passed away in 1935. His second wife was Betty Hayes, who survived him. Paddy Killoran died in New York City on April 24, 1965.
Today, a "Paddy Killoran Traditional Festival" is held in Ballymote every June. A monument in his honor was built there in 2012.
Discography
- Paddy Killoran's Back in Town (Shanachie LP 33003, 1977). This album included reissued solo songs and duets with Paddy Sweeney from the 1930s. All 14 songs were later put on a CD called From Ballymote to Brooklyn (CHC 007, 2002).
Compilations with Paddy Killoran's Music
Paddy Killoran's music can also be found on many compilation albums, which are collections of songs by different artists. Some of these include:
- Old-Country Music in a New Land (New World LP NW264, 1977).
- From Galway to Dublin: Early Recordings of Irish Traditional Music (Rounder CD 1087, 1993).
- Milestone at the Garden: Irish Fiddle Masters from the 78 RPM Era (Rounder CD 1123, 1996).
- The Wheels of the World: Early Irish-American Music, vol. 1 and vol. 2 (Yazoo CD 7008, 1996 and 1997).
- A Farewell to Ireland (Proper Records CDs, Properbox3, 1999).
- Past Masters of Irish Dance Music (Topic CD TSCD604, 2000).
- Past Masters of Irish Fiddle Music (Topic CD TSCD605, 2001).
- Round the House and Mind the Dresser (Topic CD TSCD606, 2001).
- Traditional Irish Recordings from 1923 to 1947: Vol. 1 U.S. Recordings (Oldtime Records CD, OTR 101, 2006).
- Traditional Irish Recordings from the 1920s and 1930s: Vol. 2. U.S. Recordings (Oldtime Records CD, OTR 102, 2007).
- The Fiddler's Delight: Rare 78rpm Irish Fiddle Recordings 1921-1945 (Oldtime Records CD OTR 107, 2016).
