Garech Browne

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Garech Browne (b 1939) is a wealthy patron of Irish arts, notably traditional Irish music.

The Hon. Garech Browne is a member of the titled family of Oranmore and Browne in the West of Ireland. He is the eldest of the three sons of the 4th Lord Oranmore and Browne and Oonagh Guinness, daughter of Hon. Arthur Ernest Guinness. Both his parents were married three times and he has a number of elder half siblings. He was educated at Institut Le Rosey, Switzerland and though a member of the Guinness brewery dynasty, he takes no active part in the business. Since the 1960s, he has been a leading proponent for the preservation of Irish music, through his record label Claddagh Records which he founded. His former house, Woodtown Manor, near Dublin was for many years a welcoming place for Irish poets, writers and musicians. He has lent his Irish houses to the folk-pop group Clannad to be used as a backdrop for their many recordings.

When Garech asked Paddy Moloney to put together a group for a one-off album for the Claddagh label, Paddy came up with the first line-up of The Chieftains. Garech is famed for his hospitality which he dispenses most generously to friends and acquaintances of a largely bohemian circle at Luggala, his estate in the Wicklow hills. His famous pony-tail and dapper appearance are a distinguishing feature. He was once banned from an Irish pub session for having long hair and no socks. He was married in 1981 to Princess Harshad Purna Devi, daughter of H.H. Sri Mahendra Sinhji, Maharaja of Morvi in India where he spends part of each year.

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