Paddy Moloney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Paddy Moloney
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Moloney in March 2009
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| Background information | |
| Born | 1 August 1938 Dublin, Ireland |
| Died | 12 October 2021 (aged 83) Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | Traditional Irish music |
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| Instruments | |
| Years active | 1960–2021 |
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Paddy Moloney (August 1, 1938 – October 12, 2021) was a famous Irish musician, composer, and record producer. He was best known for starting and leading the Irish band The Chieftains. He played on all 44 of their albums. Paddy Moloney helped bring back the popularity of the uilleann pipes, a special type of Irish bagpipes.
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Early Life
Paddy Moloney was born in Dublin, Ireland, on August 1, 1938. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six years old. He started learning the uilleann pipes when he was eight.
Musical Journey
Besides the tin whistle and uilleann pipes, Paddy Moloney also played the button accordion and the bodhrán.
Playing in Bands
Ceoltóirí Chualann
Paddy Moloney first met another musician named Seán Ó Riada in the late 1950s. He then joined Ó Riada's group, Ceoltóirí Chualann, in 1960.
The Chieftains
In November 1962, Paddy Moloney formed a traditional Irish band called The Chieftains. He started it in Dublin with Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy. As the band's leader, he wrote and arranged much of their music. He also composed music for movies like Treasure Island, Braveheart, and Gangs of New York.
Working as a Session Musician
Paddy Moloney also played music for other artists. He worked with famous musicians such as Paul McCartney, Sting, and Stevie Wonder. He even played for The Muppets!
Producing Music
In 1959, Paddy Moloney helped start Claddagh Records, a record company. In 1968, he became a producer for the company. He helped record 45 albums for them.
Personal Life
Paddy Moloney was married to artist Rita O'Reilly. They got married in 1962 and stayed together until he passed away in 2021. They had three children: Aonghus, Padraig, and Aedin. Aedin is an actress and producer. Paddy Moloney was also able to speak Irish very well.
He passed away suddenly in a hospital in Dublin on October 12, 2021. He was 83 years old. His funeral was held in Glendalough on October 15.
Tributes and Legacy
Many people shared kind words about Paddy Moloney after he passed away. The President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, said that Paddy helped bring Irish music to the world. He said Paddy's amazing skills on the uilleann pipes and bodhrán helped people everywhere appreciate Irish music and culture.
Maura McGrath, who leads the National Concert Hall in Dublin, said that Paddy's music with The Chieftains was outstanding. She said it connected Irish people all over the world with their unique sound.
Selected Music
Here are a few albums Paddy Moloney was involved with:
- The Drones and Chanters: Irish Pipering (1971) – with other pipers
- Tin Whistles (1974) – with Sean Potts
- Silent Night: A Christmas in Rome (1998)
- The Wild Dog Rose (2011) – with John Montague
Awards and Honors
Paddy Moloney received several important awards for his contributions to music and culture:
- On September 13, 2012, he received the Ohtli Award. This is Mexico's highest cultural award.
- In 2013, he and The Chieftains received the Castelao Medal from the government of Galicia, Spain. This was for their help with Galician culture.
- Four years later, he was named a Commander of the Order of Civil Merit in Spain.
