Pádraig Molloy: Donegal fiddler who absorbed music of his locality

Southwest Donegal fiddler and weaver Pádraig Molloy has died in his 81st year after a long illness. As a traditional musician he was “the real deal”, having absorbed his music from his surroundings, rather than learning it in formal lessons or as part of a movement or revival.

His father and grandfather had been fiddlers. From his grandfather, he had a fiddle which had come into the house in the 1880s. That musical heritage meant that the Molloy house was one where there was always music. Other musicians called in to play, including legendary Donegal fiddler Johnny Doherty.

That heritage also meant that Molloy began to play the fiddle at the age of 11 or 12. He absorbed music as he absorbed languages, first Irish and then English. As far as is known, he never had a formal music lesson. The tunes he played were those of his native area in its localised style.

While his home was a musical one, Molloy was a quiet man and shy about venturing out to perform in public. Late in life, he did fortunately agree to perform on TG4. Importantly, he also taught a couple of his younger relatives, transmitting his expertise and repertoire to a new generation.

Weaving

Patrick John Molloy was born on St Patrick’s Day in 1936 in the townland of Mín an Chearrbhaigh, five miles north of Carrick, sixth of nine children to Barney Molloy and his wife Hannah (née Gillespie). Tragedy cast a shadow over his early life, when an older sister and brother died due to eating poisonous berries.

Fiddle-playing was not his only skill. He spent his working life weaving on a loom in a shed beside his house. His speciality was weaving table covers.

For many years, he was also the local barber, a trade he exercised on Sunday afternoons. As this was in the days before TV, there would be a queue in his house, listening to a GAA match on the radio as they waited to have their hair cut. Molloy never wanted payment in cash. The shorn used to express their gratitude by giving him a packet of Sweet Afton cigarettes.

His fine memory also made him a local historian and he loved to share that knowledge.

He is survived by his wife Mary Ann, sisters Annie and Margaret and nieces and nephews.