Patrick Gillespie (b. 1917)

(b. 1st January 1917)

Patrick Gillespie

Paddy, or Paddy Phroinsias, was born and reared at Gort an Luain, an area located between the townlands of Cionn na Coilleadh and Suidheamh. Paddy was married to and had a family with Mary, a daughter of the fiddler and close neighbour, Jimmy Bhidi Mhici. During the 1940s he played dance music in a group consisting of Paddy and Eddie O’Gara of Mín na bhFachrán on fiddle and accordion respectively, Peter Ó hIghne, Cionn na Coilleadh, on drums and Eddie Lyons of An Curraoin who was a good step-dancer. The group played at various dances in ‘The Spink’ hall in An Curraoin, the main dancehall in Gleann Cholmcille during this period. In the 1950’s and 1960’s Paddy played at the old time dances at Halla Mhuire on various dates throughout the year, including the 15th August. In the late 1960s he assisted the music collector, *Hugh Shields, by introducing him to many of the singers and musicians in the parish of Gleann Cholmcille.

*(Hugh Shields was a music and song collector of some note in the Irish Traditional music world).

‘Gillespie’s Favourite’ jig performed by Patrick Gillespie