After his death, folklorist and broadcaster Ciarán Mac Mathúna identified him as the "strong man" of the Clancy Brothers, while Irish folk musician Mick Moloney asserted that he had been "a powerful figure in a group of strong willed men...Paddy's leadership quality always shone out when the Clancys performed." Moloney also noted what he saw as Clancy's legacy: "Irish music would not enjoy the success it has today if he had not made Irish music his career and paved the way for all of us."