Bobby Patrick Gardiner (born June 16, 1939, in Aughdarra, County Clare) is an Irish traditional accordionist, lilter, and educator. Gardiner learned his first tune, the fling “What the Devil Ails You?”, from his mother. At age 15, Gardiner joined the Kilfenora Céilí Band and later toured with Malachy Sweeney's Céilí Band. After moving to Connecticut in 1960, he worked for the New York Railway while performing with Paddy Killoran and Joe Cooley. Gardiner launched a solo recording career in 1958 with the album Bobby Gardiner – Accordion, followed by the influential LP Memories of Clare (1962). Upon returning to Ireland in 1970, Gardiner settled in Burncourt. He began teaching at University College Cork in the 1980s and received an honorary Master's degree in 2023. Gardiner performed internationally with Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the Brú Ború Troupe. His discography included The Master's Choice (1989) and The High Level (2010).
