Trad singer Sarah Keane dies aged 92, from The Tuam Herald:

ALMOST a year and a half after the death of her singing sister Rita, Sarah Keane, the last surviving member of her generation of the famous musical family from Caherlistrane, passed away on Monday night.

Sarah, who was 92 died at the family home at Carragh, Caherlistrane. Along with Rita she displayed a style of Traditional Irish singing in unison, which was recognised and highly regarded by music critics all over the world. Singing in unison is said to be very difficult in the Traditional Irish style but Rita and Sarah did it with ease and elegance.

Sarah grew up in a musical household and along with her brothers and sisters she played in the family band, Keane's Ceili Band, for many years. They were frequently featured on programmes on the then Radio Eireann, especially Ceili House and in 1968 Sarah and Rita record their debut album Once I Loved.

It was produced by the legendary Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains for Gareth Browne of Claddagh Records and Paddy says it was a most memorable recording session.

Paddy said they were so easy to work with and when they sang they sang to one another they did so in perfect pitch and timing.

"Their music and songs reminded me so much of my grandparents who came from near the Sliabh Bloom mountains," said Paddy. Rita passed away in June 2009.

The death of Sarah this week means their enchanting voices, singing in unison, will no longer entertain audiences at live music sessions the recordings they made will ensure that their songs will live on forever.

The Keane sisters graced many international stages and in recent years they performed on occasions with their famous niece Dolores and nephew Sean in mainland Europe and in Scandinavia.

Today three generations of the Keane family carry on a proud music tradition with the recordings of Dolores, Sean and Matt popular both in Ireland and abroad.

Matt says that only a few weeks ago Rita called him to say they were having a music session at the family home and he joined in.

In 1985 Sarah and Rita were joined by many other family members, including their singing sister-in-law Bridie Keane (nee Comer) on the album Muintir Uí Chatháin.

Less than a decade later the British-based label Demon Records released Rita and Sarah's album recorded on location in Caherlistrane by Barry Farmer and titled At the Setting of the Sun.

In 2006 the Keane sisters made a trip to Cork to collect a Life Achievement Award from TG4. It was an accolade that was richly deserved by the unassuming sisters.

Since the death of her sister Sarah was lonely but still continued to take an interest in music and as recently as September she was present at a concert given by Dolores for the opening of the Tuam Trad Festival.

Sarah Keane will be reposing at Ryder's Funeral Home, Headford this Wednesday evening from 6 to 8 and she will be laid to rest in Donaghpatrick Cemetery after 12 noon Mass in Caherlistrane tomorrow (Thursday).

~ Becky in Tucson