Tributes paid to Seán Keane of The Chieftains

The death has been announced of renowned fiddle player Seán Keane of The Chieftains.

His family said the 76-year-old died unexpectedly at his home on Sunday morning, RTÉ reported last night.

“The sadness is very real. My wonderful, kind and brilliant fiddle playing big brother passed unexpectedly at his home in Rathcoole, Co Dublin this morning,” James Keane said on social media on Sunday.

The Chieftains performed in Ballina, Co. Mayo last month, to celebrate the visit of US President Joe Biden.

Born in Dublin on 12 July 1946, Seán learnt both classical violin and traditional fiddle. He came from a musical family where his parents were both fiddle players.

Keane's career spanned nearly six decades. A member of Ceoltóirí Cualann in the 1960s, Seán also performed with some of the trios and duets formed by Paddy Moloney in the '60s and joined The Chieftains in 1968.

He also recorded a solo album, Seán Keane and a duet album with fellow Chieftain Matt Molloy.

In a statement, the Irish Traditional Music Archive said the organisation was "devastated" to learn of his passing.

It said: "His powerful fiddle playing married technical virtuosity with an incredibly insightful and sensitive understanding of what made Irish traditional music distinctively beautiful. He was a beacon for our traditional art."

The National Concert Hall described Keane as “a talented musician whose music transcended cultural boundaries and inspired listeners from all over the world”.

“We are deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Seán Keane,” a post on the NCH Twitter page said.

We're deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Seán Keane.

A talented musician whose music transcended cultural boundaries & inspired listeners from all over the world.

Our condolences go out to his family & friends during this time.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/hGz2iHA2UF

— National Concert Hall (@NCH_Music) May 7, 2023

Minister for Housing Darragh O’Brien stated that Keane w “a giaasnt of Irish trad music”.

“Just weeks ago, Seán performed for President Biden in Ballina,” US Ambassador to Ireland Claire Cronin said in a post on Twitter.

President Biden was “genuinely moved to see The Chieftains together again for one last time,” she remarked.

“Sean’s remarkable career saw him play with the worlds greatest musicians, and collect 6 Grammy awards with The Chieftains, bringing traditional Irish music to a new audience in the US and around the world. May he rest in peace”.

Saddened to hear Sean Keane of The Chieftains has passed away. Just weeks ago, Sean performed for President Biden in Ballina. @POTUS was genuinely moved to see The Chieftains together again for one last time.

Sean’s remarkable career saw him play with the worlds greatest… pic.twitter.com/FQ2IISKApQ

— Ambassador Claire Cronin (@USAmbIreland) May 7, 2023

Elsewhere, Minister Catherine Martin offered her condolences to his family and friends.

"Seán Keane was a supremely gifted fiddle player and steeped in Irish traditional music all his life. Through his playing with The Chieftains, he helped to bring our music to a global audience. My deepest condolences to his family and many friends. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam."

The Chieftains first formed in Dublin back in 1962 as a collaborative effort of Sean Potts, Michael Tubridy, and the late Paddy Moloney. The band would go on to become "Ireland's Musical Ambassadors" as of 1989 and win 6 Grammy Awards as they became prolific in Ireland, the UK, and beyond in the mid 70s.

Not only did they work on the Stanley Kubrick Barry Lyndon soundtrack, but they released successful records throughout the 70s and 80s. Over the years, the outfit have collaborated with the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, The Rolling Stones, Madonna, Sinéad O’Connor, Roger Daltrey, and Van Morrison.

In celebration of their 60th anniversary was 2022's release of Chronicles: 60 years of The Chieftains, an album compiling their best music from over the years.

Last year, the Chieftains also released Bear’s Sonic Journals – The Foxhunt, The Chieftains Live in San Francisco, 1973 & 1976. The live album includes the last interview with The Chieftains' Paddy Moloney, curated by The Owsley Stanley Foundation and Claddagh Records.

Tributes have poured in for Seán Keane since news broke last night.

Fellow musician Martin Hayes tweeted: "Sean Keane was one of the finest traditional musician to ever play this music. An completely unique and virtuoso fiddle player. This is a huge loss for traditional Irish music."

Sean Keane was one of the finest traditional musician to ever play this music. An completely unique and virtuoso fiddle player. This is a huge loss for traditional Irish music.

‘A giant of Irish trad music’: The Chieftains fiddle player Seán Keane dieshttps://t.co/BfhOyt1ZEV

— Martin Hayes (@MHayesmusic) May 7, 2023

Saddened to hear of the passing of Sean Keane of The Chieftains, sincere condolences to Family and Friends, Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam. pic.twitter.com/V90PChGRiv

— The Wolfe Tones 🇮🇪 (@wolfetones) May 7, 2023

Sad to hear of the passing of the great Seán Keane of @thechieftains He was a hero of mine & I was fortunate to get to know him & to work with him on a number of occasions. A gentleman, a master musician & a true authority on the traditional music of Ireland. Suaimhneas síoraí. pic.twitter.com/P3FtPpO61u

— Dónal O'Connor (@doconnormusic) May 7, 2023

Seán Keane, one of the greats, has left us. Took this photo after The Chieftains came off stage in Ballina performing for @potus. It was such a magic night, and Seán was thrilled to be back playing with everyone again. pic.twitter.com/QzgggYjbVi

— Diarmaid Keane (@DiarmaidKeane) May 7, 2023

Sad to hear about Sean Keane #chieftain he’s gone to Maire.Two of life’s beautiful people. So blessed to have known them both & enjoyed many great moments down through the years. Very sad news. My condolences to Deirdre, Paraic and Darach. May he rest in peace 💚beautiful man pic.twitter.com/KJMOw1Uj5I

— mike hanrahan (@mikehanrahan46) May 7, 2023

Laoch ar lár.Greatly saddened that another icon of traditional Irish music is lost #SeánKeane As a child marvelled at the notes,runs&ornamentation that Seán managed to squeeze into his music. Here is Seán at the launch of FleadhCheoil Chill Dara 2019. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam pic.twitter.com/5da3GznnfZ

— John FitzGerald (@Jdbfitzgerald) May 7, 2023

My Dad and I walked into a pub in Lahinch in the early 90s. There was a lad in the corner playing the fiddle. It was incredible. Dad bought him a pint. He graciously accepted, a model of humililty. It was Seán Keane. I'll never forget it. What an honourhttps://t.co/agmc0WXHIJ

— Kilian Doyle (@kiliandoyle) May 7, 2023