Myself and Paul Brady in 2004

This is a picture from my homecoming concert at Liberty Hall in 2004 with Paul Brady. The whole concert was broadcast on RTE in two parts and is still available for listening. You can find the link for the first part here, and the second part here. The event happened on Thursday, October 21st, 2004 with a full house that included the Prime Minister of Ireland, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern. Guests included: Seán Keane, Paul Brady, Seán Potts, Seán Óg Potts, Kevin Conneff and The Castle Céilí Band. All proceeds went to the Irish Centre, Camden Town. Ciaran Hanrahan MC-ed the great event.

Dangan Castle in Ballynacally County Clare

This is a photograph from the 1950s that I took as a little boy on a Kodak 128 point-and-shoot box camera of the back field behind my aunt's house--the O'Tooles. The ruins are called Dangan Castle in Ballynacally.

Sweeter as the Years Roll By

I composed Sweeter As the Years Roll By in 1999 to honor my wife Theresa Keane from Ballymacelligott, Kerry.

Landmark Session coming up on Monday evening, May 10th

Session at The Landmark Tavern, Mondays from 8 to 11 pm
626 11th Avenue at 46th Street, Manhattan, Tenor banjo, harmonica and fiddle player Don Meade and friends get together every Monday night for an Irish traditional music session in the back room of this historic Hell’s Kitchen bar/restaurant. Free admission. Musicians and singers welcome.

Special Session Guests:
May 10: James Keane - James is a proud Dub and one of the true giants of the Irish button accordion.

For more info, (212) 247-2562 or visit www.thelandmarktavern.org

FRIDAY, May 14th, BLARNEY STAR with RANDAL BAYS

BLARNEY STAR PRODUCTIONS PRESENTS: May 14: James Keane and Randal Bays
"Dublin-born button accordion great James Keane’s latest recording project is Fingal, a trio collaboration with fiddler Randal Bays and County Derry-born singer/guitarist Dáithí Sproule. As Dáithí lives in the midwest, Randal in Washington state and James in Queens, the trio has a hard time assembling for gigs. We’ll take advantage of a trip by Randal to the east coast, however, to feature at least two Fingalians in concert. No songs or guitar this time, but in Dáithí’s absence we will hear even more clearly the wonderful interplay between Randal’s fiddle and James’ button box."


From the Ireland House NYU site: "Dublin-born button accordion great James Keane’s latest recording project is Fingal, a trio collaboration with fiddler Randal Bays and County Derry-born singer/guitarist Dáithí Sproule.

As Dáithí lives in the midwest, Randal in Washington State and James in Queens, the trio has a hard time assembling for gigs. We’ll take advantage of a trip by Randal to the east coast, however, to feature at least two Fingalians in concert. No songs or guitar this time, but in Dáithí’s absence we will hear even more clearly the wonderful interplay between Randal’s fiddle and James’ button box."

Listen in on a fireside chat with dear friend, Kathleen Biggins on WFUV

http://www.wfuv.org/

Dropping in to chat and play a few tunes for Kathleen Biggins as she presents her World famous programme " A THOUSAND WELCOMES " which starts at 9am on Fordham University's radio 90.7 FM ( N.Y. ) and on www.wfuv.org I should get there for my cup of Barry's by 10am.

Kathleen Biggin's " A Thousand Welcomes "
Fordham University's 90.7 FM www.wfuv.org
It is a three hour programme 9-noon and I will have the 10-11am segment.

You have been forewarned, LISTEN LIVE on the INTERNET or the RADIO 90.7

Thanks,

James.

Castle Céilí Comics Presents...

Great time had leading the Lillies session with host Dan Neely, and Rose Flanagan and Dylan Foley and many other top class musicians on hand ot really give the joint some fine fine music.