Join us in the barn at Jim of the Mills for an intimate evening of traditional Irish piping with renowned piper, Seán McKeon

Seán McKeon Bio

https://www.seanmckeonpipes.com/

Known for his virtuosic and exhilarating performances, Seán McKeon is one of Ireland’s leading artists. His live performances are celebrated for the energy, skill and emotional depth he brings to the uilleann pipes, one of Ireland’s most distinctive instruments

Seán grew up listening to music at home in Dublin with his parents being his earliest influences. He began playing the tin whistle at the age of 6 and within two years, progressed to the uilleann pipes.In 2005, Seán was awarded TG4 Ceoltóir Óg na Bliana. McKeon and fiddler Liam O’Connor released the duet album Dublin Made Me in 2009 to widespread critical acclaim, with it being described in The Irish Times as “a vibrant collection that never once loses sight of its birthright yet still manages to herald a new departure in casting a spotlight on two exceptional musicians who marry technical prowess with a marvellous sense of adventure and history”. It was awarded the Irish Times CD of the week across all genres.Seán is a keen collaborator with exponents of many different genres having performed with orchestras, jazz musicians, world music artists and spoken word artists throughout his musical career.Seán is also a member of the Damien Dempsey band, performing around the world with the Dublin singer/songwriter.Highly sought after, Seán has recently worked as a guest musician with Elvis Costello, Hozier, Christy Moore and Amble.Not only an exhilarating performer, Seán is highly in demand as a tutor and lecturer about traditional music and the uilleann pipes.

In 2016 Seán released To The City alongside guitarist John Blake and in August 2025, he released his highly anticipated solo album Salamanca.

Inspired by the pioneering productions of the 1970s, Salamanca shines a contemporary light on the virtues of the solo traditional artist, presenting individual interpretation replete with virtuosity and invention. It is a celebration of the individual expression inherent in the art of uilleann piping, presenting 13 unaccompanied tracks of both well-loved traditional tunes and lesser-known gems. While the music reveals an audacious originality, the playing is treated with skilful discernment and refined musical taste. The album features a mix of compelling arrangements and approaches - sometimes stark and intimate, other times fiery and full-bodied.

Description supplied by the event organiser.