Seán Keane - The Distinctive Voice of Ireland
Seán Keane was born in a small village called Caherlistrane near Tuam, Co. Galway. He grew up in a family of singers and musicians and learned the Sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts. From early childhood singing became a big part of his life. By the time Seán reached his teens he had collected thirteen All-Ireland medals in the Fleadh Ceoil competitions. He was by then an accomplished whistle and flute player and had also taken up the uilleann pipes and bodhraun. Music and song was a big part of family life even in early childhood. By the time Seán reached his teens, he had collected thirteen All-Ireland medals in Fleadh Ceoil competitions. He was by then an accomplished whistle and flute player as well and had taken up the uilleann pipes and bodhraun.
When he joined his first group, Shegui, he had already served a long apprenticeship. After travelling throughout Europe with the band, he left to join Reel Union, a group which also featured sister Dolores and accordion player Máirtín O'Connor. Later, he was part of Arcady, with such well-known names as Johnny ‘Ringo’ McDonagh, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black.
After a short flirtation with the theatre when he played in the Druid production of Midnight Court and the Abbey Theatre's Sheep's Milk on the Boil, Seán embarked on his solo career in 1993. All Heart, No Roses received rave reviews and was chosen as Debut Folk Album of the Year by Q Magazine. In the years following, success continued with Meteor Award nominations, Best Male Folk Performer from Irish Music Magazine (three times), a similar award from the London Irish World, as well as numerous Irish accolades. A Portrait, a collection of Seán's songs, is a multi-platinum Irish seller. Seán has recorded songs jointly written by Denis Carey and Brendan including ‘The Coast of Labrador’ and ‘You Take Me There’, the latter features on his album Gratitude released in 2018. In 2020 he remained connected with audiences all over the world with his weekly online show known as the Carragh Sunday Sessions, set in the beautiful ancestral home of the Keane family and he continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work. He tours regularly with his band in Ireland, Austria, Germany and has also toured in the US and Canada as well as appearing at major festivals world-wide.
