Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (21 Dec 2010, age 92)

Subject: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane
From: Connacht Rambler
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 04:22 PM

Singer Sarah Keane from Caherlistrane, Co Galway, has died. She was aunt to Dolores and Sean Keane but best known for her great store of songs and her singing in unison with her sister Rita.

More at Ramblinghouse

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (January 2010, age 92)
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Dec 10 - 06:51 PM

Here's the entire text of the article from Ramblinghouse. I note that Sarah Keane died in January (later corrected to December).

Death of singer Sarah Keane
Written by Fear an Ti    Dec 22, 2010

Sarah Keane, the last surviving member of her generation of the famous musical family from Caherlistrane, Co Galway, died on December 21, 2010. She was aunt of singers Dolores and Sean Keane.
Sarah, who was 92, died at the family home at Carragh, Caherlistrane. Along with her sister Rita she had a store of rare folk songs and they displayed a style of traditional Irish singing in unison, which attracted interest among a new generation of lovers of Irish singing.
Sarah grew up in a musical home and, along with her brothers and sisters, played in the family band, Keane's Ceili Band, for many years. They were frequently featured on programmes on Radio Eireann, especially Ceili House and in 1968 Sarah and Rita record their debut album Once I Loved, produced by Paddy Moloney of The Chieftains for Claddagh Records.
Paddy said they were so easy to work with and when they sang, they sang to one another and in perfect pitch and timing.
Rita passed away in June 2009.
The Keane sisters graced many international stages and in recent years they performed on occasions with their niece Dolores and nephew Sean around Europe and in Scandinavia.
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.
In 1997 Demon Records released Rita and Sarah's album recorded in Caherlistrane by Barry Farmer and titled At the Setting of the Sun (Mustrad Review).
In 2006 the Keane sisters made a trip to Cork to collect a Life Achievement Award from TG4.
Since the death of her sister Rita, 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.

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (January 2010, age 92)
From: Connacht Rambler
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 06:43 AM

Correction: Sarah Keane died on December 21, 2010.

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (January 2010, age 92)
From: GUEST,John Moulden
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 07:32 AM

This is sad but not unexpected news given Sarah's age. It is rare in Ireland to hear anything but solo singing though duets or larger groups were found almost always in families. The Keane sisters were among the finest exponents to be heard. At least one of their albums is still available ('Once I loved')

Perhaps Joe or a clone could change the subject line and internal text in order to reflect the actual date of her death.

---

Thanks, John. Fixed it. -Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (January 2010, age 92)
From: Liberty Boy
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 10:21 AM

Yet another of the "greats" of the Irish Singing Tradition gone.

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (January 2010, age 92)
From: RoyH (Burl)
Date: 23 Dec 10 - 11:17 AM

Sad news indeed that both the Keane Sisters are now gone. I had the honour of bringing them over for a festival in the 1970's. Their beautiful singing and lovely personalities charmed everyone. Their visit remains on of my fondest folk music memories. Rest in Peace. RH.

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (21 Dec 2010, age 92)
From: Desert Dancer
Date: 24 Dec 10 - 10:46 AM

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

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (21 Dec 2010, age 92)
From: GUEST
Date: 07 Feb 11 - 02:15 AM

Hi,
For more info about Famous Occasionas in 2011 related information
For more details visit "altiusdirectory.com". Below URL may be useful to you.
http://www.altiusdirectory.com/Society/

Subject: RE: Obit: Singer Sarah Keane (21 Dec 2010, age 92)
From: GUEST
Date: 28 Jul 11 - 12:35 PM

SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO ALL MEMBERS OF THE KEANE FAMILYON THE PASSING OF RITA AND SARAH, AS WELL AS SEAN'S WIFE. MAY THEY REST IN PEACE TOGETHER NEAR THE THRONE OF GOD. OUR LORD MUST HAVE NEEDED BEAUTIFUL MUSIC AND THE BEST OF COMPANY IN HEAVEN. MARY WILKINSON, MISSISSAUGA, ONTARIO, CANADA