Paddy Moloney

• Name — Paddy Moloney • Born — 1 August 1938 • Birthplace — Dublin, Ireland • Died — 12 October 2021 • Place of death — Dublin, Ireland • Genre — Traditional Irish music • Occupation — * Musician • composer • record producer • Instrument — * Uilleann pipes • tin whistle • button accordion • bodhrán • Years Active — 1960–2021 • Label — * Claddagh Records • Shanachie Records • Mercury Records • RCA Victor • Hear Music • Associated Acts — * Ceoltóirí Chualann • The Chieftains

Moloney was born in the Donnycarney area of Dublin on 1 August 1938, the son of housewife Catherine (née Conroy) and Irish Glass Bottle Company accountant John Moloney. His mother bought him a tin whistle when he was six and he started to learn the uilleann pipes at the age of eight.

In addition to the tin whistle and the uilleann pipes, Moloney also played button accordion and bodhrán.

Moloney first met Seán Ó Riada in the late 1950s. He then joined Ó Riada's group, Ceoltóirí Chualann, in 1960. • Illustration — Moloney and the Chieftains in 2010

Along with Sean Potts and Michael Tubridy, Moloney formed the traditional Irish band the Chieftains in Dublin in November 1962. As the band leader, he was the primary composer and arranger of much of the Chieftains' music, and composed for films including Treasure Island, The Grey Fox, Braveheart, Gangs of New York, and Stanley Kubrick's Barry Lyndon.

Moloney did session work for Mike Oldfield, The Muppets, Mick Jagger, Gary Moore, Paul McCartney, Sting, Don Henley, and Stevie Wonder.

Together with Garech de Brún (anglicised to Garech Browne) of Luggala, he founded Claddagh Records in 1959. In 1968 he became a producer for the label and supervised the recording of 45 albums.

Moloney was married to artist Rita O'Reilly from 1962 until his death in 2021. They met during the 1950s while he was working for Baxendale & Company. They had three children, including Aedin. He was a fluent speaker of Irish. Moloney died suddenly at a hospital in Dublin on 12 October 2021, at the age of 83. His funeral was held on 15 October at St. Kevin's Church in Glendalough, followed by a burial at the adjoining cemetery.

The authorities additionally record the headings Pádraig Ó Maoldomhnaigh and Patrick Moloney. His recorded languages were Irish and English. One child is recorded: Aedin Moloney.

Paddy Moloney is recorded as record producer and musician.