Music
10 Sep 26

Paddy Keenan: Tributes paid to the legendary Irish musician and founding member of The Bothy Band, who has died aged 76

"A transformative figure in traditional music and often referred to as the 'Jimi Hendrix of the uilleann pipes' Paddy Keenan's immeasurable talent has helped to shape our rich musical heritage..."

Tributes are pouring in this morning for Paddy Keenan, following the sad news of the renowned uilleann piper's death yesterday, aged 76.

In a tribute shared online, the Irish Traditional Music Archive (ITMA) have described him as "one of the most celebrated traditional musicians of all time."

Born in Trim, Co. Meath, to a Traveller family steeped in traditional music, Paddy was raised in Dublin – where he began playing the pipes, aged 10. He played his first major concert, at Dublin's Gaiety Theatre, when he was 14, before going on to join other family members in the group The Pavees.

Paddy would go on to become a founding member of the deeply influential group The Bothy Band – alongside Dónal Lunny, Matt Molloy, Paddy Glackin, Tony MacMahon, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill. They released their self-titled debut album via Mulligan Records, in 1975,

ITMA have noted that Paddy's "virtuosity on the pipes, combined with the ferocity of his playing, made him a key contributor to the band’s revolutionary sound."

"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," the ITMA's statement continues.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Irish Traditional Music Archive (@itmadublin)

The staff and board of Na Píobairí Uilleann – the Society of Irish Pipers – have also paid tribute to Paddy this morning, describing him as "a master of the uilleann pipes."

"An inspirational musician, as a solo artist and a member of The Pavees and The Bothy Band he drew countless people to the pipes," their statement reads. "Paddy’s music was instantly recognisable: his deeply expressive chanter playing coupled with his supreme technique displayed his total mastery of the instrument. A unique musician who both represented the tradition and found his own remarkable voice."

The team at the National Concert Hall have shared their memories of Paddy – including his most recent 2023 performance at the venue with the ITMA, in celebration of the late Tommy Peoples.

"A transformative figure in traditional music and often referred to as the 'Jimi Hendrix of the uilleann pipes' Paddy Keenan's immeasurable talent has helped to shape our rich musical heritage," they added.

See more tributes to Paddy Keenan below: