Paul was born in Dublin and grew up in Kells Co. Meath. He began writing songs at 14 years old on a borrowed guitar, finding it easier to make up his own songs than to learn somebody elses! (Google did not exist in those days!)
His music is influenced by Irish and American traditional music and by the great contemporary folk songwriters like John Prine, Guy Clarke, and Townes Van Zandt.
He moved to Kinvara Co. Galway in 1996 where he set up the “Audiomonkey” recording studio, and began developing his songcraft. His songs have received praise from Paul Brady, Maura O Connell, Charlie McGettigan and John Prine, who makes a guest appearance on Pauls recently released album "Strong Friend".
Pauls'
music has been recorded by Irish singers Ealanor Shanley, Niamh
Parsons, Mary Macpartlan (Mojo folk album of the year 2005}, by
Scottish band ‘Fine Friday’ and by California based singer Sylvia
Herold (Cats And Jammers).
"Mulligan brings his easy,
story-telling into a predominately acoustic musical setting that draws
subtly on both his native Irish tradition and the American country
influences that one might associate with Prine. Of his fellow
countrymen, Mulligan is probably closest in style to Christy Hennessy
in both the personal, reflective nature of his lyrics and the delicate,
sensitive delivery of his vocals. Strong Friend is a beautifully
understated collection of dreams gone by and the usual unrest with
everyday life. The songs are both penned and delivered with poise and
sensitivity, asking the right questions and tugging at the right
heartstrings." Mike Wilson-folking.com
. "This, his debut album,
reveals a talented and sensitive songwriter - Mulligan plays excellent
acoustic guitar backed up by a bevy of capable musicians -The music
inhabits the territory between Hank Williams, James Taylor and Christy
Moore, painting an aural picture of personal angst without touching the
hell realms of Damien Rice et al." Keith Fitton-Rock and Reel magazine
