Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)

Subject: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: Hagman
Date: 10 Sep 26 - 03:39 AM

Facebook Groups reporting his passing. No official "news" reports as yet.

Another good one down.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: GUEST,Philippa
Date: 10 Sep 26 - 01:42 PM

Irish Traditional Music Archive / Taisce Cheol Dúchais Éireann's post on Facebook 9/9/26

"The Irish Traditional Music Archive is deeply saddened by the death of the iconic uilleann piper Paddy Keenan, one of the most celebrated traditional musicians of all time.
Born into a travelling family in Trim, Co. Meath and raised in Dublin, Paddy was the third generation in his family to take up the uilleann pipes. Taught by his father from the age of 10, he played his first major concert at the Gaiety Theatre, Dublin, when he was 14. He later played with the rest of his family in a group called The Pavees.
Paddy was a founding member of the legendary group The Bothy Band in 1975, and his virtuosity on the pipes combined with the ferocity of his playing made him a key contributor to the band’s revolutionary sound. Paddy’s contributions to traditional Irish music were honoured in 2002, when he received the TG4 Gradam Ceoil Ceoltóir na Bliana / Musician of the Year award and later in 2011 by the Irish Music Association, with a Lifetime Achievement Award.
One of the most popular uilleann pipers of all time, Paddy’s style influenced practitioners all over the world, and his solo and collaborative recordings remain sought after today. He performed for the Irish Traditional Music Archive at the Drawing from the Well concert tribute to his Bothy Band colleague Tommy Peoples in 2023. Leaba i measc na laoch go raibh aige."

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: pattyClink
Date: 10 Sep 26 - 02:50 PM

I had the luck to hear him in person. It is mesmerizing to hear and watch this master of the pipes.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: pattyClink
Date: 10 Sep 26 - 03:00 PM

For example:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHI5lcMOWpU

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: gillymor
Date: 10 Sep 26 - 03:46 PM

He with the Bothys and Liam O'Flynn with Planxty were my introduction to the uilleann pipes. Both gone now.

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: The Sandman
Date: 10 Sep 26 - 04:49 PM

Great player, used to play round clonakily a lot. many years ago he called in to my house looking for his mate Finbar Pendred. VERY SAD NEWS

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: gillymor
Date: 11 Sep 26 - 06:31 AM

I still remember dropping the needle on the first Bothy Band LP about 50 years ago and being floored by the Kesh Jig. I hadn't realized that pipes could be so unannoying. It was like hearing Purple Haze for the first time

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: Waddon Pete
Date: 11 Sep 26 - 10:43 AM

The uilleann pipes are wonderful when they are played well and Paddy played them brilliantly! I have added his name to the "In Memoriam" thread and send my condolences to all those who know and love him. Sadly another member joining the great ceilidh orchestra in the sky. RIP Paddy

Subject: RE: Obit: Paddy Keenan (1950-2026)
From: GUEST
Date: 14 Sep 26 - 07:08 PM

I'm very sorry to hear this. Paddy Keenan's playing gave me a lot of pleasure. Like Gillymor, I found the Kesh Jig particularly invigorating.
RIP Paddy