Kitty Hayes

Who is Kitty Hayes?

Kitty Hayes was a well-known concertina-player in Shanaway, Milltown Malbay, County Clare, Ireland.

Kitty Smith was born in the townland of Fahanlunaghta, close to Lahinch. She was the daughter of Peter Smith, a locally well-known concertina player. Kitty started playing at a young age, attracted to the music played by her father. When she mastered the basics, Peter Smith bought her her own concertina. She started playing at local dances.

On one these local dances she met the whistle and flute player Josie Hayes, who played in the Laichtín Naofa Céilí Band. They later married and raised seven children. Josie died in 1992.

Kitty Hayes often played in the now closed Gleeson's Pub in Coore, with musicians as Junior Crehan, Paddy Galvin and Michael Downes.