Patsy Kerrigan (1937 – 2018)

Patsy playing fiddle in the 1970s [source: Máirín Kerrigan]

Patsy was the eldest boy in the family of Kathleen and Tom Kerrigan. Patsy’s father died when he was very young. His mother Kathleen lived in Sallows until 2001 when she passed away at the age of ninety two. She was a wonderful character, full of life and enthusiasm. Patsy married Rita Monaghan from Drumkeelan in 1973 and they settled in Sallows where they reared seven children including Pauric, Aidan, Dáire, Brian, Lelia, Anne and Máirín. Patsy’s biggest influence was Daniel Donnelly Gallagher and he also enjoyed the playing of Peter Quinn and Mickey McGroarty. He began learning the fiddle and melodeon when he was a teenager due to the availability of instruments in the house. Among his favourite tunes to play were The Keel Row, Money Musk, The Binbane Highland, The Dysert Highland, The Drimkeelan Highland, Sterling Castle,  Cooley’s reel, The Maid behind the Bar, The Geese in the Bog, The Rose of Arranmore and marches such as O’Donnell Abú.