Tommy Makem
Tommy Makem was born in Keady, Co Armagh, in 1932. His mother, Sarah Makem, born 1900, and her cousin Annie Jane Kelly were members of the Singing Greenes of Keady. They contributed a [...]
View ArticleLuke Kelly
Luke Kelly was born on November 17, 1940, into a working class family in Sheriff Street, a quarter of a mile from Dublin’s O’Connell Street. His grandmother, who was a McDonald from Scotland, lived...
View ArticleDolores Keane
Described memorably by Nanci Griffith as “the voice of Ireland,” Dolores Keane has an earthy and instantly recognisable singing style. She was born in Castlehackett, Co. Galway on September 26, 1953....
View ArticleAndy Irvine
Singer, songwriter and musician Andy Irvine was born on June 14, 1942, in Southgate, London. His father was from Scotland and mother from Ireland. He showed an early interest in acting and the skiffle...
View ArticleFrank Harte
Frank Harte was born on May 14, 1933, on the banks of the Liffey, at Chapelizod, where his family ran The Tap pub. His introduction to Irish singing came, he said, from a chance listening to an...
View Article‘Galway’ Joe Dolan
By Ronan Nolan “I’m a vagabond from Eireann’s isle Sunburnt thumb stuck up in the air” Singer, songwriter and artist Joe Dolan who died on January 7, 2008, was a founder member of Sweeney’s Men. The...
View ArticleThe Pecker Dunne
I never met Bob Dylan but I sang with Pecker Dunne – Christy Moore Pecker Dunne was born into a Wexford travelling family. He was actually born in a horse-drawn caravan in Castlebar, Co Mayo, on April...
View ArticleKaran Casey
SINGING was encouraged in the Casey family home in Ballyduff Lower in Co Waterford. Both Karen’s grandmothers sang. While at school she was involved in the GAA Scor na nOg competitions and then in...
View ArticleMargaret Barry
By Ronan Nolan THE raw, uncompromising voice of the street singer had to carry above the noisy chatter of the fair or football crowd. Ballad singer Margaret Barry rarely failed to gain attention with...
View ArticleShane MacGowan gets a leg-up
Although he had to be assisted on and off stage and only sang five songs, Cavan fans couldn’t get enough of Shane MacGowan
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