Patsy Watchorn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Patsy Watchorn
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Watchorn with The Dubliners, c. 2005
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| Background information | |
| Born | 16 October 1944 Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland |
| Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
| Genres | Irish folk |
| Occupation(s) | Musician |
| Instruments | Vocals, banjo, bodhrán, spoons |
| Years active | 1969–2014 |
| Labels | Dolphin Records |
| Associated acts | Dublin City Ramblers (1969–1995) The Dubliners (2005–2012) The Dublin Legends (2013–2014) |
Patsy Watchorn (born on October 16, 1944) is a famous Irish folk singer. He is well-known for being part of two popular music groups: the Dublin City Ramblers and later The Dubliners.
Contents
Patsy Watchorn's Music Journey
Early Career and Hit Songs
Patsy Watchorn started his music career around 1969. He was the lead singer of a group called The Quare Fellas. This group was based in Dublin, Ireland. In the early 1970s, they changed their name to the Dublin City Ramblers.
With Patsy as their lead singer, the Dublin City Ramblers had many hit songs. Two of their most famous songs were "The Rare Ould Times" and "The Ferryman". Both of these popular songs were written by Pete St. John.
Football Anthems
Patsy also helped create a special song for the Irish Football Team. This song was their anthem for big tournaments. He sang "We are the Boys in Green" with the Dublin City Ramblers.
They released this song for the European Championship in Germany. They also used it for the World Cup in 1990 in Italy. The words in the song changed a little bit between the 1988 and 1990 versions.
Joining The Dubliners
In 1995, Patsy Watchorn left the Dublin City Ramblers. He then released several solo albums on his own. In 2005, he joined the legendary Irish folk group, The Dubliners. He took the place of Paddy Reilly in the band.
Patsy appeared on The Dubliners' Tour Sampler EP in 2005. He was also featured on their double album Live at Vicar Street in 2006.
Musical Talents
Patsy is a talented musician who plays several instruments. He plays the banjo, the bodhrán (a traditional Irish drum), and even spoons. He has often said that Luke Kelly, a former lead singer of The Dubliners, is his favorite singer.
Patsy sang with The Dubliners and was very popular. They performed all over the world. They toured in Ireland, the UK, Europe, Australia, and the USA.
The Dublin Legends
The Dubliners announced they would stop touring in 2012. This was after their 50 Years Anniversary Tour. Patsy Watchorn decided to continue performing. He teamed up with other former Dubliners members. These included Seán Cannon, Eamonn Campbell, and banjo player Gerry O'Connor.
They formed a new group called "The Dublin Legends". They continued to tour and share Irish folk music with fans.
Taking a Break
On April 28, 2014, Patsy Watchorn shared a message on his website. He said he was taking a break from music for a while. This meant he would not be touring with "The Dublin Legends" for the rest of 2014.
He later explained that this break was due to health reasons. Doctors advised him that touring could harm his health further.
Patsy's Unique Voice
Patsy Watchorn is known for his unique and powerful singing voice. His passionate vocals made him a very important part of the Irish folk music scene. When he worked on his solo projects in the 1990s, he often performed with other musicians.
He used the stage name "Patsy Watchorn, agus a Cháirde". This means "and his Friends" in the Irish language.
Patsy Watchorn's Albums
- Pub with No Beer (1996)
- Sonia's Song (1996)
- The Craic and Porter Too (1998)
- Raised on Songs and Stories (2000)
- The Rare Old Times: The Very Best of Patsy Watchorn (2002)
- Hearts on Fire (2003)
- Irish Rebel Heroes (2004)
- Now (2011)
