Paddy McGuigan

Who is Paddy McGuigan?

Paddy McGuigan is an Irish musician who played for some years with the folk group Barleycorn. He has written some Irish rebel songs, including "The Men Behind the Wire", "The Boys of the Old Brigade", "Irish Soldier Laddie", "Freedom Walk" and "Bring Them Home".

McGuigan wrote "The Men Behind the Wire" in the aftermath of internment in Northern Ireland. The song describes raids by British soldiers, and the "men behind the wire" refers to those held without charge or trial at Long Kesh prison camp, Magilligan prison camp and on board the Maidstone Prison Ship. McGuigan himself was picked up in a later round of internment, which some saw as the British State's revenge for writing the song.

McGuigan released his only solo album with Dolphin Records in 1975, titled "My Country, My Songs and Me". Along with Dermot O'Brien, he also produced the album, "The Price Of Justice" featuring Kathleen Largey of the Flying Column Music Group.