Born in Ballyhar, Co. Kerry, Paudie is a box player well grounded in his local Sliabh Luachra tradition as well as being a nationally recognised performer. He learned much of his music during his childhood from local heroes such as Johnny O Leary, Denis McMahon, Anne and Nicky McAulliffe and Jimmy Doyle. Such influences are reflected in both the style and repertoire of his acclaimed 2005 CD release – “Different State”, a collection of dance music and slow airs from the Sliabh Luachra and Munster tradition. The album was listed in “The Irish Times” best 5 albums of 2005. Paudie’s music also featured on the album “The County Bounds”, a 1999 Ossian records production featuring a compilation of music from the Cork Kerry Border including contributions from Johnny O Leary, Jackie Daly and Peadar O Riada .

On the aforementioned recording – ‘Different Sate’, Paudie is joined by his wife Aoife, a fiddle player from Tralee, Co Kerry. Aoife learned her music form local teachers Anne and Nicky McAulliffe. She plays a style very much in synch with the Sliabh Luachra Tradition and contributes much to unique settings and rhythm that typifies their duet playing.