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A Sessiún Mór is taking place in the Railway Bar, Newry on Wednesday 28 May to mark the 90th birthday of Josephine Keegan.
The Irish traditional music community, from near and far will lift its voice in harmony to celebrate a rare and radiant milestone — the 90th birthday of Josephine, master fiddle and piano player, composer, teacher, and cherished matriarch of Irish traditional music.
Though she cannot be present at the Railway Bar Sessiún to be held in her honour due to illness, her music, her warmth, and her enduring legacy will be woven into every note played that night.
Born in 1935, Josephine's love of music bloomed early — a spark that would become a beacon for thousands. Known for her elegant fiddle playing and her distinctive, lilting piano accompaniment, Josephine’s sound carries the soul of the traditional music. Over nine decades, she has composed 673 tunes that have entered the mainstream tradition, often played by musicians unaware of the composer’s identity.
The Square of Crossmaglen is just one of those tunes played and recorded all over the world. Her lively march, Bringing Home the Cup, composed to honour Armagh’s heroic All Ireland Championship in 2002, is gaining renewed popularity among the trad mad young Armagh musicians. (Let’s hope it stirs the Orchardmen on, as Josephine is a great supporter!).
Her impact has been widely recognised with many major awards around the world. She was awarded the TG4 Gradam Ceoil for Outstanding Contribution to Traditional Music in 2011, and in 2018, she received the Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Arts, presented by President Michael D. Higgins, who called her “a national treasure whose music speaks of home, belonging, and an unbroken chain of kindness.”
Josephine’s many friends wish her a Lá Breithe Sona. Her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and wider family circle are her biggest fans, and they are particularly proud of the Queen of Irish traditional music today.
The Oriel Traditional Music Archive, at Gaeláras Mhic Ardghail, is delighted to honour Josephine, and has started work on creating a dedicated archive collection on its archive, www.otma.ie.
Anyone who would like to to donate recordings, photos or other artefacts please contact: archiveoriel@gmail.com
