The Irish are known for their music from sophisticated symphonies to simple tunes for crying in your beer — and who is better prepared to discuss Irish music than Paddy Kelleghan?
Kelleghan, a musician born in Dublin, will be the first speaker in the 2010-11 Celtic Cultural Series at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 3, in the Upstairs Tipperary Room of JohnMartin’s Restaurant, 253 Miracle Mile in Coral Gables.
Kelleghan’s family was musically inclined and he taught himself to play the guitar, mandolin and flute. His musical inspiration came from a wide variety of artists such as the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Machen, Van Morrison and Eric Clapton. At the age of 15, he was on the road playing with Dublin bands such as Skid Row, a splinter group of Tin Lizzy. He was accompanied by his brother, a drummer, who still plays with a Dublin band, The Moving Hearts.
His musical experience landed him a job as a recording engineer at a firm that produced recordings of Cat Stevens, The Kinks and Pink Floyd. Later, in this country, he used his engineering experience to build his own recording studio in his home and is now working on a solo album he plans to release shortly.
Kelleghan came to the United States 28 years ago and plays regularly at JohnMartin’s Restaurant with his band that offers a mixture of traditional Irish music, blues and rock and roll.
He will tell of Irish composers and their work from the 1800s to the present. Since he always travels with his musical instruments, he probably can be coaxed into playing some of that great Irish music and singing a few songs.
All Celtic Cultural Series events are free and open to all. Ample parking is available on Miracle Mile and in the City Parking Garage behind JohnMartin’s, accessible from Aragon Avenue.
The Celtic Cultural Series is produced by the St. Patrick’s Day Committee Inc. with the support of the City of Coral Gables, Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs, Cultural Affairs Council, Mayor and the Miami-Dade Board of County Commissioners.
