»» Seán and Myself Recording Roll Away

In 1978 I invited my Mother to visit with us in New York and at that same time Seán was touring the states with the Chieftains. Seán had arranged to have his wife Marie, daughter Deirdre and their two sons Pádraic and Darach join him in New York and this would mark the first gathering of our "clan" outside of Ireland. I had been working on recording my album "Roll Away the Reel World" and my Mother saw this as a golden opportunity to have her wish come true which was for the two brothers to play, for once, a few tunes together on a record. At the time Seán was very busy.

On the morning of the recording, as I prepared to leave for Connecticut, my Mother persuaded me to drive into Manhattan in chance of finding Seán while he was in town. United again, all the Keanes headed for Connecticut and on the way we discussed possible tunes, enough for four tracks. Amazingly we recorded each track on the first take. We hadn't played serious music together since 1965-'66 and it was clear that we had the same interpretations and settings of the tunes as it all came flowing back to us.

»» My Mother with Liam Óg O'Flynn

I have related before how much my Mother loved the music and here she is playing at a session in Co. Sligo, at age 75, with one of her favorites--Liam O'Flynn--and the late Peg McGrath (1948-1995). Her opportunities for playing during those times would have long past but with a gentle word or two of encouragement, and she was ready to oblige.

Mulhaire & Miltown Malbay 1957

The year was 1957 and the very first Co. Clare Fleadh Cheoil had begun in Miltown Malbay just on the heels of the greatest All Ireland Fleadh that had been held the previous year down the road in Ennis.

By this time, my brother Seán was 11 years old and playing great, and I was making my own way, trying to figure out the box. The tiredness was beginning to have its toll on us from all the walking around town and navigating our way through the crowds. I remember Dad buying us comic books and we found ourselves a seat on the sidewalk under a street light outside the door of Friel's Bar. Angela Crehan Crotty has since mentioned to me many years later, that her father Junior remarked at the time about "how well the two Keane lads behaved as they read their comics." As usual there was music being played in Friel's kitchen and Dad managed to maneuver us right into the middle of it.

There was a large crowd gathered in the kitchen around the musicians who were some members of the Tulla Céilí Band--Paddy Canny and Martin Mulhaire. It was a significant moment, as it was shortly before the band was to leave for an American tour and recording session.

Besides the gentleman we all know Martin to be, we also know him for his great box playing and his composition of tunes such as "Land of Sunshine," "Mulhaires #9" and "Carmel Mahoney Mulhaire." The latter tune he wrote for Carmel Mahoney and I am sure that this great piece of music surely helped win her heart.

We seldom meet but when we do, it's always a great and worthwhile reunion and it brings me back to Miltown Malbay 1957.

The Keanes of Errigal Road

This is a family photo of my Father Patrick, my Mother, Mary "Molly" and Seán, my Brother. That's me on my Mother's knee. Both my parents were fine fiddle players and their hearts and souls were in the music. My Father was from a place called Lavalla, Ballynacally, Co. Clare. He grew up in a house full of music and his sister "Baby" had great style on the concertina. My Mother was from Curroole, Newtowncashel, Co. Longford. Her maiden name was Hanly and two of her brothers Peter and James were great musicians. My Father came to Dublin in his late teens and got a job working shift-work for Clondalkin Paper Mills; and as a young woman my Mother worked for The Ormond Hotel on Ormond Quay Dublin. They instilled in us their love and respect for the music and my memories are as bright today , as if it were only yesterday, of the hundreds of great sessions with all those legends of the music that came to visit the Keanes at 92 Errigal Road, Drimnagh.