Paddy O'Brien (accordionist)
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Paddy O'Brien (10 February 1922 – 2 March 1991) was an Irish button accordion player and composer. He was instrumental in establishing the B/C style of button accordion playing in Irish traditional music.
O'Brien was born in Newtown, near Nenagh, County Tipperary; he is the son of traditional fiddler and accordionist Dinny O'Brien, who was the leader of the Bridge Céilí Band.[1]
While still a teenager he played with the Lough Derg Céilí Band and with the Aughrim Slopes Céilí Band. In 1949 he joined the Tulla Céilí Band, replacing the Galway accordionist Joe Cooley. He won the All-Ireland Senior Accordion Championship in 1953.[2]
In later life he tutored céilí bands, including the Ormond and Premier céilí bands.[3]
