Since the early ’70s, Paddy Glackin has been to be one of the most influential musicians in the field of Irish Folk Music. Born in Dublin, he studied classical music at the College of Music. During this time, he developed a passion for the fiddle music of Donegal through the influence of his father, Tom, and the great Donegal fiddler John Doherty.
He has made many recordings as a soloist and collaborator with such musicians as Dónal Lunny, Micheál Ó Suilleabháin, Jolyon Jackson, and Micheál Ó Domhnaill. He has also worked with contemporary musicians such as Van Morrison and composer John Cage. He was a founding member of the Bothy Band and played with Ceoltóiri Laighean, and more recently with LAPD. He is currently a member of a new ensemble, Ushers Island and performs in a quartet with Liam O’ Flynn, Micheál Ó Suilleabháin and Niall Martin. His career in broadcasting spanned a thirty-year period across a range of disciplines, from presenting 'The Long Note' on radio to 'The Pure Drop' on television. He has held a number of senior positions within RTÉ, including Head of Radio Sport; Editor; Features and Documentaries, and Executive Producer Weekend Programming.