Ferbane's Paddy Devery: An appreciation

Paddy Devery, of Derrica, Ferbane who died aged 83 on April 18 at the Midland Regional Hospital Tullamore, was an inveterate record collector with a deep and abiding passion for music.

The former Bord na Mona worker had eclectic tastes ranging from folk, traditional, and country to classical and light opera.

He was also noted for his keen interest in local history, folklore, and politics.

Paddy had a special devotion to the legendary Delia Murphy and was in many ways the keeper of the flame, ensuring that her unique voice and style were not forgotten.

At Paddy's funeral Mass in Ferbane on Saturday Delia’s grandson, the renowned uilleann piper and flute player Ronan Browne, played two slow airs on the flute, If I Were a Blackbird and the iconic Spinning Wheel in a unique tribute to a much-loved West Offaly resident.

Ronan Browne has also written the following tribute to Paddy, in which he records Delia's family's appreciation of his interest in her legacy.

Remembering Paddy Devery

"What an honour (having plucked up the courage) to drive from An Spidéal to An Féar Bán, and join in bidding Paddy Devery fair journey to Heaven. Though we only met once, we became good telephone pals and stayed in touch in the following decades.

"Paddy loved to sit in his kitchen listening to old 78s — family and neighbours describe walking past the house in Derrica and hearing crackly songs waft out the open door and windows.

"A devoted fan of both Bridie Gallagher and my maternal grandmother, Delia Murphy, Paddy probably had copies of every song they ever recorded.

"Memory fails me now but I think it was around 1990 that I met Paddy. He had placed an ad in the national newspapers, seeking particular titles recorded by Delia.

"My mother saw the ad, contacted Paddy, they agreed on a date and we travelled west from Dublin to Ferbane. What a welcome we received into Paddy and Christy's home; a great spread of sandwiches, cake and biscuits was laid out by Paddy and his sister Julia [Taylor], and the kettle was on for tea!

"We presented Paddy with cassette recordings of the 78s he had requested. He was over the moon to finally have those songs; sadly, I can’t remember which particular ones. We chatted and listened to 78s for hours.

"Paddy was overjoyed, with Delia Murphy’s daughter sitting right there at his table, sharing stories and listening to songs she had not heard in decades.

"As we reluctantly departed, hours later, Paddy presented us with two full cassettes of his own Delia Murphy 78s. A good third of those songs were ones we didn’t have, so there was great excitement.

"Over the next few weeks, my tech-savvy brother, Garvan, transferred the songs over to this amazing new recordable CD format and, all of a sudden, each one of our family had a copy of Paddy’s 78s. I still have those recordings on my computer and on my phone. Very often, when I search for a particular song, the result brings me to a folder called, 'Paddy Devery Tapes'!

"With the best will in the world, we never met again but we did stay in touch by phone. Whenever Paddy found a new 78, he’d send me a CD of it, followed by another wonderful phone call.

"It will be my eternal regret that I didn’t manage to find the time to nip over to see him again in person, particularly as I often found myself in Shannon Harbour. Perhaps because it was so close by, I stupidly said I’d get over to Paddy next time. But I never did.

"For that very reason, I just had to be in The Church of the Immaculate Conception as Fr Peter Burke celebrated Paddy’s requiem mass on April 18, 2026. Like at every funeral, I was astounded to hear of elements of Paddy’s life that I had not previously known.

"It was a great honour to meet his family, in particular his surviving sister Kathleen. It was plain to see how Paddy loved his family and they, in turn, loved him.

"If ever there was the perfect place for Paddy to lie at rest, it is in the ancient graveyard of the fifth century Gallen Abbey on the banks of the Brosna River. In that beautiful place, with the sounds of birds and cows, protected by the curving Brosna, I envisage a new sound – the melodious voice of Paddy Devery chatting and humming his beloved songs.

"What a lucky place, Gallen Abbey Cemetery!"

Paddy is survived by his sister Mrs Kathleen Rigney, Rashina, nephews, nieces and a wife circle of family and friends.

May he rest in peace.