Steve Duggan, the New York Irish icon who co-founded Paddy Reilly's Music Bar in Manhattan, was celebrated with a special night of music at his old bar on Saturday night, April 13.
"The evening was just a wonderful sendoff for the iconic figure that Steve had been," Gregory Grene of The Prodigals, who were among the performers on Saturday, told IrishCentral on Monday.
"Folks came who worked at Paddy Reilly‘s 30 years ago.
"And the musicians likewise were a who’s who in the Irish and Irish American scene in NYC.
"The music went nonstop from 7:30 pm to 2:30 am, and the toasts and memories went long after."
Streams of Whiskey playing in Paddy Reilly's for the Steve Duggan tribute.
Duggan, a Cavan native who established Paddy Reilly's Music bar 38 years ago along with renowned musician Paddy Reilly, died in Florida on April 4 at the age of 76.
The pub, a renowned Irish music institution in East Manhattan, celebrated Duggan's life on Saturday with a night of song and music from artists including The Prodigals, Pat Robinson of the Itinerants, Deni Bonet, Sebastian MacLochlainn & Streams of Whiskey, Mary Courtney, Niall O'Leary, Christine Timm & Craig Tichy, Padraig Allen, and Dave Fahy, among others.
Mary Courtney singing at the celebration of life of Steve Duggan at Paddy Reilly's.
All proceeds from the event will be donated to the New York chapter of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA), which was close to Duggan's heart during his time in the US.
A vintage photo of Steve Duggan (far left) with Paddy Reilly, Gregory Grene and members of The Prodigals.
Founded by Reilly and Duggan in 1986 on 29th Street and 2nd Avenue, Paddy Reilly's Music Bar helped launch the career of several prominent Irish American artists, including the Prodigals, Joanie Madden, Black 47, and Eileen Ivers.
The venue has attracted a host of famous celebrities during its 38-year lifespan, incluing Jimmy Fallon, Gabriel Byrne, Naomi Campbell, and Christy Turlington.
Last year, internationally renowned Irish singer Hozier performed at the bar while celebrating his 33rd birthday.
Duggan, quick with a joke, marvelous with a dry wit, and as shrewd as a businessman from Cavan had ever been, was at the center of the bar's success.
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