Patricia (89) was a key player in the Moynihan Brothers Band

Patricia (Patty) Moynihan née Redmond (89) from Ferns sadly passed away on Friday, November 10 in Valentia Nursing Home in Camolin.

She had been living in the nursing home for the last three years and was surrounded by her family at the time of her passing.

Patty was born on September 24, 1928 to Catherine and Thomas Redmond who were proprietors of Redmond’s shop in Ferns village for many years. She was raised in the village of Ferns and resided there throughout her life.

Her sister Vonnie and brother Don have predeceased her, but other brother Seamus is still alive.

During her youth, Patty worked in the family business both behind the counter in the shop and delivering mail – the family owned shop had a contract to do so in those days.

However, all this was to change for Patty when, due to a mutual love of music, she met the late great Dave Moynihan in the mid 40s.

At this time, Patty was learning to play piano and her soon-to-be husband Dave was a great teacher. He appeared on many national radio broadcasts on Radio Eireann playing the accordion.

Patty and Dave, pictured above, were soon to be married in the old St Aidan’s church in Ferns and soon afterwards they formed the first incarnation of the Dave Moynihan band which was initially a céilí band in the early 50s.

The band saw many changes over the years. They became a dance band followed by a showband. Dave and Patty then decided that their band was to be a family one.

Patty gave birth to five boys – John, Tommy, Dave Jnr, Fr Jimmy and Arthur.

Dave, Tommy and Arthur joined the band at a very young age, as did their first cousins Tommy and Con who are now both passed away, along with a plethora of different musicians from the county over the years.

Patty’s brother Don who predeceased her, and also Tommy and Cons father, was also in the band during its early stages.

Patty played the piano while in the band and she travelled with her husband Dave and her family throughout Ireland and the UK for many years.

As well as being a good mother at home, she was also a great mother while on the road and was often known to iron the band’s shirts before taking to the stage.

Patty and Dave were well known all over and she was very proud of her family.

She lived with Dave and her family on the Enniscorthy Road in Ferns and in the early 70s they opened the Dave Moynihan music store next to their home which was to remain open for many years to come.

Her main hobbies in life (aside from music) included gardening and attending bingo around the county, as well as the odd gamble on the slot machines in Courtown.

The word that best described her was ‘lady’, as this word was mentioned so much by the public following her death.

Her funeral Mass took place on Monday, November 13, in St Aidan’s church in Ferns. Her son Fr Jimmy was the chief celebrant at the requiem Mass.

Among the large attendance on the day was the Vicar General of the diocese, Monsignor Joe McGrath, who was representing Bishop Denis Brennan who could not make it on the occasion.

Also at the funeral Mass was a number of priests, each of whom are close friends of Fr Jimmy and the family.

Music was provided by the Ferns, Clologue and Ballyduff choirs as Patty was also the choirmaster in Clologue for many years and later in Ballyduff. It was a job for which Patty eventually received a Benemerenti medal from Pope John Paul II in 2003. Patty’s son Tommy performed ‘Stranger on the Shore’ on his clarinet, a song very much associated with the family.

Her other sons Dave, Arthur and John sang a selection of old songs which were close to her. There was also a number of musicians from the county and beyond on the day of the funeral and many of them took part in a guard of honour in procession to the graveyard. These musicians then performed a rendition of one of Patty’s favourite songs ‘In the Mood’, which was the signature tune of the Dave Moynihan Big Band.

Patty is survived by her sons John, Tommy, Dave, Fr Jimmy and Arthur, her brother Seamus Redmond, daughters-in-law Eleanor, Anne, Margaret and Dena, grandchildren, family and friends. The family wish to thank everyone who attended Patty’s removal and funeral, and whether it was a phone call, a text message or a card, they really appreciate it all. Mass will be offered for their intentions.

Patty’s Months Mind Mass will be celebrated at St Aidan’s church in Ferns on Friday, December 15, at 7p.m.