James Keane (Irish:Séamus Ó Catháin; 7 February 1948) is an Irish traditional musician and accordion player. The Italian Castagnari company issued and continues a line of signature instruments called keanebox in his honor.
Early life
James Keane was born in Drimnagh, south Dublin City in Co Dublin. He reportedly began playing at age six, and lilting since before he could talk. The Keane house in Dublin was a musical landmark on the traditional music scene in the 1950s and 1960s. Keane's mother and father were both fiddle players from musical communities in County Longford and County Clare, and would play host to the legendary players who traveled from all over Ireland to perform in the capital city. These guests greatly affected James and his brother Seán Keane, the fiddler with the Chieftains, as did their summer trips to Longford and Clare where they encountered the music at its roots.
By the age of ten, James had become a fixture on the late 1950s Dublin traditional scene regularly performing with Séamus Ennis, Leo Rowsome, Sonny Brogan and Tommy Reck, honing his skills under their guidance. While still in his early teens, James co-founded what would become one of Ireland's most heralded music ensembles, the Castle Céilí Band with Mick O'Connor, his brother and others. The band would go on to win numerous Oireachtas competitions, and the All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band competition in Thurles in 1965.
Keane first played for the Adelaide Redwings of the South Australian Ice Hockey Association in the 2003 season. The following year Keane signed with the Adelaide Avalanche of the Australian Ice Hockey League (AIHL). In his debut season with the Avalanche Keane played 14 games and only managed to record three assists. He continued to play for the Avalanche until end the end of the 2008 season when the team folded due to financial reasons. The following season Keane signed with the newly formed Adelaide Adrenaline who had entered the AIHL to replace the Avalanche. In his first season with the Adrenaline the team went on to win the AIHL's Goodall Cup and Keane scored 23 points in his 21 regular season games. As well as playing for the Adrenaline in the AIHL Keane also plays for the Adelaide Blackhawks in the South Australian A Grade competition.
On June 10, 1902 PopeLeo XIII appointed Keane as the third bishop of Diocese of Cheyenne. He was consecrated on October 28, 1902 by Archbishop John Ireland of Saint Paul. Bishops Joseph Bernard Cotter of Winona and James McGolrick of Duluth were the principal co-consecrators. Keane came to Wyoming at a time of increased population and economic expansion. Bishop Keane needed to recruit priests who would be willing to work in the difficult environment of Wyoming, and was successful in doing so. The diocese was incorporated according to the laws of the state of Wyoming. The parishes of the diocese were likewise incorporated with the bishop, the pastor and two lay trustees serving as a corporate board at each parish. He was successful in his appeals to the newly formed Catholic Church Extension Society for funds to expand the church across the state. He also directed the building of Cheyenne's St. Mary's Cathedral and a new episcopal residence. The cathedral was dedicated in 1909. He served the diocese as its bishop for nine years.
SF symphony musicians gear up for big gala amid heated labor talks. Symphony musicians are closing in on one year with no contract as new season approaches ...ActorJamesKeane is 71. Rock singer-musician Cesar Rosas (Los Lobos) is 69.
Musician... My wonderful, kind and brilliant fiddle playing big brother passed unexpectedly at his home in Rathcoole, Co Dublin this morning,” JamesKeane said on social media on Sunday.
SCNOW Morning News
29 Sep 2023
SCNOW Morning News
29 Sep 2023