Ann “Ma” McNulty (1887–1970), was a Melodeon (accordion) playing vaudevillian. She was widowed in 1928 in the wake of the Great Depression and determined to support herself and her 2 minor children. She took to the stage with these children, who were Eileen McNulty (1915–1989), a songstress and dancer, and Peter McNulty (1917–1960), a singer, dancer, violinist, pianist and, eventually, a composer of music and lyrics. Known as “The McNulty Family’s Irish Showboat Revue”, the trio first appeared on stage around 1932-1933 and through Ma’s astute show business acumen they almost immediately achieved a success that lasted for decades along the U.S. East Coast entertainment circuit.