Chieftains founder Paddy Moloney passes away at age 83

Multi-instrumentalist Paddy Moloney helped lead the charge for a revival of folk and traditional music in the Irish and international mainstream - and provided a link between the work of Seán O'Riada and the generations that took his modernising vision forward

Paddy Moloney, founder member of The Chieftains has passed away.

The passing has been announced this morning of traditional musician Paddy Moloney – multi-instrumentalist, composer, and founder of legendary Irish group The Chieftains. 

In a statement this morning, the Irish Traditional Music Archive confirmed his passing, stating he "made an enormous contribution to Irish traditional music, song and dance" and that "few people can lay claim to having the level of impact Paddy Moloney had on the vibrancy of traditional music throughout the world".