About

Pádraic Keane

Citation read by John Carty at TG4 Gradam Ceoil Press Reception in Galway City 1st February 2011:

The Young Musician of the Year - a very important award - and I'm delighted this year from my associations with his family that it goes to a young uilleann piper of exceptional talent, technique and sensitivity who has been immersed in traditional music and piping from an early age. He has absorbed the music of master pipers Willie Clancy, Séamus Ennis and Seán McKiernan while developing a personal, creative and exciting style. His music is subtle yet complex, adventurous but controlled, powerful yet sweet. In his very capable hands the proud tradition of piping is enriched and passed on for future generations. For his understanding, musicial integrity and mastery of his instrument, the worthy recipient of TG4's Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana 2011 is Pádraic Keane.

Short Biography:

Uilleann piper Pádraic Keane hails from Maree, Co. Galway and was born into a great musical family. He is a tutor at many music festivals in Ireland and abroad. In 2011 he was awarded TG4 Young Musician of the Year. He has toured America as a soloist with The Irish Chamber Orchestra and has collaborated with Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, The RTE Concert and Symphony Orchestras as well as various string quartets. He has also toured Europe with Ragús and worked with Galway's Irish language theatre group - An Taibhdhearc. He has featured on a number of albums including "The Rolling Wave" - a CD of young pipers issued by Na Píobairí Uilleann, "Tunes in the Church" and "Rogha Raelach" issued by Raelach Records. He has also performed at The Masters of Tradition festival held in Bantry House and curated by Martin Hayes. He recently released his acclaimed solo piping album entitled 'In Full Tune'.

Long Biography:

Uilleann piper Pádraic Keane hails from Maree, Co. Galway and was born into a great musical family in 1991. His father Tommy is a well known piper, originally from Waterford who was taught by the legendary piper Tommy Kearney. His mother Jacqueline McCarthy is a very respected concertina player and is the daughter of the late Tommy McCarthy from West Clare who was a multi-instrumentalist playing pipes, whistle and concertina. Jacqueline’s sister Marion also plays pipes. It is little wonder therefore, considering the love and prevalence of piping on both sides of the family, that Pádraic began learning the pipes at the age of eight under the guidance of his father. He also received tuition from many leading pipers at various summer schools including Robbie Hannan, Mick O’Brien, Emmett Gill, Jimmy O’Brien Moran, Seán McKeon, Brian McNamara and Ronan Browne.

He is a tutor at many music festivals in Ireland and abroad. In 2011 he was awarded TG4 Young Musician of the Year). He has toured America (as soloist with The Irish Chamber Orchestra) performing Termōn - a piece for uilleann pipes and strings by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin - which was commissioned for the tenth anniversary of 9/11. He has also toured Europe with Ragús and worked with Galway's Irish language theatre groups - An Taibhdhearc and Branar . He has performed on a number of different occasions for President Michael D. Higgins. He is featured on "The Rolling Wave" - a CD of young pipers issued by Na Píobairí Uilleann in 2012. In 2016, he performed a commemorative piece with the Irish Defence Force Band for the centenary of 1916 Rebellion. He has collaborated with the RTE Concert Orchestra by performing at a number of occasions as well as performing with the RTE Symphony Orchestra and ConTempo Quartet. In 2019, he featured at The Masters of Tradition festival in Bantry. He recently released his acclaimed solo piping album entitled 'In Full Tune'.