Pecker Dunne

Who was Pecker Dunne?

Patrick "Pecker" Dunne was an Irish musician and seanchaí.

Dunne was born in Castlebar, County Mayo, "in the old county home". His family were Irish Travellers originally from County Wexford, where his father was a fiddle player. In Parley-poet and Chancer, an autobiography transcribed by Micheál Ó hAodha, he stated that he later lived in the Dublin suburb of Drimnagh. He was one of Ireland's most noted banjo players and was also proficient on the fiddle, melodeon and guitar, and was among an elite of Traveller musicians.

Dunne became known to a wide Irish audience from his regular busking at GAA sporting fixtures, particularly in Munster. Later he played in England, France, Australia and New York, where he appeared with The Dubliners. He also performed alongside Richard Harris and Stephen Rea in the 1996 feature film Trojan Eddie.

He lived in Killimer, County Clare with his wife and four children, who continue the musical tradition. He died there, aged 79, and is buried in Burrane, near Killimer.