Paddy Reynolds ‘The Piper’ (1901-1980)

Paddy Reynolds, born in 1901, was a well-known tin whistle player from Corrig, just outside Kilfenora. Fondly known by locals as “The Piper”, Paddy was a familiar and much-loved figure throughout North Clare.

Known for his music and his unique character, Paddy was a regular presence around the village, and his playing left a lasting impression on those who heard him. Though he played the whistle, the nickname “The Piper” stuck.

Paddy passed away in 1980, and for many years, his grave in Kilfenora Cathedral remained unmarked. In March 2023, a ceremony was held by Fr. Ned Crosby to mark the erection of a new headstone, generously provided by John Vaughan of Vaughan’s Pub and Liscannor Stone. The event was attended by a good crowd, and a few tunes were played in his memory — a fitting tribute to a man whose music had once echoed through the streets of Kilfenora.

A poem dedicated to Paddy Reynolds by Eileen Whittle and his photograph can be seen in Vaughan’s Pub, a lasting reminder of a man remembered as much for his spirit as for his music.