Sean McCarthy Weekend Festival 2018

Dates for the Sean McCarthy Weekend is Friday 3rd August to the 6th August 2018

Opening the Festival this year is Seán Keane in concert

Venue: Teach Siamsa Finuge Co. Kerry

Time : 8.30pm - 10.30pm

Admission: €20.00  Bookings @ 087 9049371

Closing Date for Ballad competition is Friday 13th July 2018 @ 5pm

Seán Keane from County Galway is decribed as the `greatest musical find of the 90`s` by `The London Independent`. Traditional Irish, folk and even country and blues songs all lend themselves to his unique style and unforgettable voice. Growing up in a family of singers and musicians, Seán learned the sean-nós style of singing from his mother and his aunts.

Singing was his life, even in early childhood; by the time Seán reached his teens, he had collected thirteen All-Ireland medals in Fleadh Ceoil competitions. He was by then an accomplished whistle and flute player as well and had taken up the uilleann pipes and bodhraun.

When he joined his first group, `Shegui`, he had already served a long apprenticeship; after travelling throughout Europe with the band, he left to join `Reel Union`, a group which also featured sister Dolores and accordion player Máirtín O`Connor. Later, he was part of `Arcady`, with such well known names as Johnny `Ringo` McDonagh, Sharon Shannon and Frances Black.

After a short flirtation with the theatre when he played in the Druid production of the `Midnight Court` and the Abbey Theatre`s `Sheep`s Milk on the Boil`, Seán embarked on his solo career in 1993. `All Heart , No Roses` received rave reviews and was chosen as `Debut Folk Album of the Year` by Q Magazine. In the years following, success continued with Meteor Award nominations, `Best Male Folk Performer` from Irish Music Magazine (three times) ,a similar award from the London `Irish World`,as well as numerous Irish accolades. `A Portrait`, a collection of Seán`s songs, is a multi-platinum Irish seller. All of his solo albums are platinum sellers and remain in constant demand.Six solo albums later, Seán Keane continues to delight audiences all over the world with his live performances and recorded work. He tours regularly with his band in Ireland, Austria, Germany, the US and Canada as well as appearing at major festivals world-wide.

Photo by: Brendan Landy