President Michael D. Higgins has paid tribute to renowned fiddle player Seán Keane of The Chieftains, who died yesterday morning at the age of 76.
President Higgins' said the Mr Keane’s "incredible talent as a fiddle player brought so much joy to so many and was enjoyed and admired by audiences all over the world".
In a statement this afternoon, the President said that Mr Keane’s "virtuosity and skill was unique and has influenced so many musicians across the traditional arts".
"Indeed, Seán has been described as the 'musician’s musician’. His generous legacy to traditional music and the arts will be remembered for generations to come," he said.
"We are indebted to the Irish Traditional Music Archive who hold so many of Seán’s recordings and will ensure this legacy lives on and will be enjoyed through the ages."
President Higgins expressed his condolences to Mr Keane’s children, Páraic, Deirdre and Darach and his grandchildren, extended family, friends in The Chieftains and to his "wide circle of friends and musical colleagues".
A member of Ceoltóirí Cualann in the 1960s, Keane also performed with some of the trios and duets formed by Paddy Moloney in the 60s and joined The Chieftains in 1968.
He also recorded a solo album, "Seán Keane" and a duet album with fellow Chieftain Matt Molloy.
RTÉ Archives: Exploring Seán Keane's Genius
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In a statement, the Irish Traditional Music Archive said the organisation was "devastated" to learn of his passing.
It said: "His powerful fiddle playing married technical virtuosity with an incredibly insightful and sensitive understanding of what made Irish traditional music distinctively beautiful. He was a beacon for our traditional art."
