Rita Keane

About

Irish singer and accordionist who was given a Lifetime Achievement Award from TG4 for her contributions to traditional Irish music. She was best known for her long partnership with her sister Sarah Keane, with whom she she recorded the beloved 1969 album Once I Loved and its follow-up, At the Setting Sun.

Before Fame

She received her first accordion in 1939 and began performing at local weddings shortly thereafter.

Trivia

Despite the iconic status of Once I Loved, she and her sister waited more than two and a half decades to record its follow-up, 1996's At the Setting of the Sun.

Family Life

She is the aunt of singers Delores Keane and Matt Keane. She never married.

Associated With

He and Bothy Band bagpipe player Paddy Keenan are both renowned for their work in traditional Irish music.