Irish Pub and Music Scene Legend, Steve Duggan has Passed Away

Cavan native, co-founder of Paddy Reilly’s Music Bar, and the man who helped many Irish musicians get their start in New York, Steve Duggan passed away on Thursday, April 4, 2024.

Duggan, a native of Cavan, will forever be remembered for creating opportunities for young talent to come and play in his NYC pub Paddy Reilly’s, which became a home away from home for so many.

As the beloved proprietor of Paddy Reilly’s Irish Pub on Manhattan’s East Side, Duggan created a magnificent location for Irish music, singing, and the craic.

Duggan opened the bar back in 1986 with Paddy Reilly, the famous Irish folk singer, and member of the band The Dubliners whose bookings he used to manage. 

Soon, the crowds were around the block and Duggan, quick with a joke, marvelous with a dry wit, and as astute as a businessman from Cavan had ever been, was at the center of it all.

For Paul Hill, who made his way to New York when he was released in 1989, having spent 15 years in prison in England for crimes he did not commit, the atmosphere in Paddy Reilly’s was healing “… the  music – Steve behind the bar – thinking up his next great plan – an Irish Festival in Belmont. They were the best of times, Hill remembers, “Like I always told him, he was responsible for curing more people than any eminent NYC doctor. ” 

Duggan decided it would not be Irish music alone in the pub and offered a Céad Míle Fáilte to bluegrass, folk, and rebel bands, creating a fantastic atmosphere. Black 47, arguably the most significant Irish group of that era, spectacularly began their career at Paddy Reilly’s after Duggan invited them to play. Joanie Madden and Eileen Ivers of Cherish the Ladies were also huge attractions.

For years, Guinness was the only brew on tap at Paddy Reilly’s—the sign outside still says “the world’s first and only all-draft Guinness bar”—and patrons flocked to the unfussy bar, which felt like an Irish pub.

Duggan often said there were so many memories of his life and times at Paddy Reilly’s that he could write a book.

“Gregory Peck, Naomi Campbell, Brad Pitt, Kiefer Sutherland, Christy Turlington, Jimmy Fallon; they’ve all been in,” Duggan said.

Fallon filmed a segment at Paddy Reilly’s for his “Tonight Show” in March 2019 with Conor McGregor.

“This is one of my favorite places to hang out and one of the best Guinnesses in the city,” Fallon said on the broadcast. 

Paddy Reilly even survived the dark days of COVID-19, and the pub came roaring back right after the worst of the pandemic had passed. Steve handed over the reins to Donegal man Desi Murray in April 2023.

Following the heartbreaking death of his son, David, in September 2023, to kidney cancer, Steve retired to Florida. He collapsed suddenly and died on Thursday morning April 4th, in his apartment in Miami. His longtime friend and partner, Tina Moore was by his side. “He was an amazing man. He brought light into so many people’s lives. He was unique. I’ll miss him terribly,” Tina told Irish America. She said their last days together were happy ones, and that he was at peace.

In his youth, Duggan was a highly regarded football player who played for his native Cavan and was considered one of the best. You would often find him at Belmont Park; a love of the horses was just another side of Steve.

Steve Duggan was one of a kind. He was always willing to help young Irish in need and put enormous energy into whatever project he undertook, including running the Dublin marathon while bouncing a football along the entire run to raise money for Crumlin Children’s Hospital. 

His passing marks the end of an era, but not the end of the legendary Steve, with so many memories of his contribution to Irish American life fresh in the minds of so many.