Johnny O'Leary (6 June 1923 – 9 February 2004) was a noted Irish traditional musician from Sliabh Luachra who played the button accordion.
O'Leary was born in Maulykeavane, which is about halfway between Killarney and Ballydesmond, in the centre of Sliabh Luachra, renowned for its traditional music.
[3] The music of Sliabh Luachra is characterized by a predominance of dance tunes such as polkas and slides over the more obvious jigs, reels and hornpipes.
While its slow airs are in the minority when compared with other parts of the country, the tunes resonate with a shrill sadness and poignant humanity.
A bronze life-size statue of O'Leary was unveiled in Killarney Town Centre by John O'Donoghue, T.D., Minister for Arts, Sports and Tourism, on 28 April 2007.