Leo Maguire

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Patrick Leo Maguire, (1903 – December 17, 1985) was an Irish singer, songwriter, and radio broadcaster.

Born in Dublin's inner city, Maguire trained as a baritone under Vincent O'Brien, John McCormack's voice teacher. For many years he performed with the Dublin Operatic Society.[1]

Maguire was a prolific composer, writing over 100 songs.[2] These include "Come to the Céile", "The Old Killarney Hat", "If You'll Only Come Across the Seas to Ireland", and "The Dublin Saunter", which he wrote for Noel Purcell. His most famous song is "The Whistling Gypsy".[1]

Parallel with his musical career, Maguire also worked as a broadcaster on Radio Éireann. The programme with which he is most closely associated is the Walton's Programme. This was a weekly sponsored show during which Maguire played recordings of popular Irish ballads. The programme was broadcast for almost 30 years until its cancellation in January 1981.[3]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b The Irish Times, "Death of Mr. Leo Maguire", (p.7), December 18, 1985
  2. ^ The Irish Times, "Composer buried", (p.5), December 20, 1985
  3. ^ The Irish Times, "An exercise in ooh-and-aah nostalgia", (p.1), January 5, 1981

[edit] External links