The Legacy of Percy French with Peadar McMahon

A performance of music, stories and song, that celebrates the works and remarkable life of Ireland’s greatest songwriter.

Join musician and historian, Peadar McMahon, for a performance of music, stories and song, that celebrates the works and remarkable life of Ireland’s greatest songwriter. And of course, no Kilrush performance would be complete without French’s celebration of our own West Clare Railway!

Percy French entertained audiences in small village halls all over Ireland from the 1890’s until the time of his death in 1920. While most Irish audiences have grown accustomed to hearing his songs performed by Irish Tenors, they were originally composed by Percy French for his banjo and relaxed baritone. Peadar MacMahon’s folk arrangements pay tribute to how they were originally performed.

Peadar will also be performing songs from his album of haunting traditional airs, ‘Anair’.

A Limerick native, Peadar now lives in Kilrush. His performances are charming, heartfelt, engaging and educational. He offers his audience a greater connection to the songs through the telling of their stories and his own.

This event is part of Sound Out 2024, a celebration of spoken word, story and song in Kilrush, Co. Clare.