Rita Keane
Rita Keane (born 31 December 1922, Caherlistrane, near
Early life
Keane grew up with six siblings in a home where music was always present. The whole Keane family sang and played instruments, and frequently played host to other singers and musicians from East Galway and beyond. Keane's mother, May, was an assiduous collector of traditional songs and tunes, and passed on her passion to her children. When, in later years, Dolores, Seán and Matt Keane started recording professionally, they were able to draw on a wealth of material from their paternal aunts.
In 1939 Keane and her sister Sarah were given accordions, which they would play at celebrations and funerals in the local area. In 1958 the sisters entertained guests at the wedding of local farmer John Corbett to Mary Murphy, who had recently returned to Ireland after spending five years living in New York.
Musical career
In the 1950s and 1960s Rita and Sarah played as part of Keane's Céilí Band, who performed for audiences of up to 1,000 people at dances in the local town of
In the late 1960s the broadcaster
Later life and death
Keane's passion for music remained with her up until her death. Seán Keane recalls the Keane sisters saying, of music, 'Oh God, it keeps us alive!'.[2] Keane reportedly played her accordion until a few days before her death on 28 June 2009, aged 86.[5]
Personal life
Keane did not marry, and lived her whole life in the house of her birth at Caherlistrane with her sister Sarah, who survived her.
Discography
Once I Loved (1969, Claddagh Records)
At the Setting of the Sun (1985,
Recognition and awards
The cultural significance of the Keane family has been recognised both within Ireland and internationally, with their work having been highlighted by
In 2006, Rita and Sarah Keane were awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by Irish language television channel TG4 for their contribution to traditional music.[6]
References
- ^ The Irish Times Newspaper, 7 July 2009
- ^ a b "Rita Keane". The Daily Telegraph. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012.
- ^ Claddagh Records
- ^ At The Setting of the Sun - CD Universe
- ^ RTE obituary
- ^ Irish Music Magazine