Musician Caroline Keane answers 10 questions about inspiration, her latest album, and future plans

Musician Caroline Keane answers 10 questions about inspiration, her latest album, and future plans

Contemporary concertina musician Caroline Keane answers 10 questions about her latest album, what inspires her, and plans for the future

Caroline Keane is a leading voice in contemporary concertina playing, widely regarded as one of the foremost performers on the instrument worldwide. She comes to The Commercial Bar, Limerick, on Saturday, May 23.

Known for her vibrant, emotive, and highly expressive style, she blends the rich heritage of Irish traditional music with a bold contemporary voice.

She has toured extensively across Europe, North America, Australia, and New Zealand, appearing at major international festivals including Celtic Connections (UK), Celtic Colours (Canada), the Dublin Irish Festival (USA), and the Woodford Folk Festival (Australia). Caroline has collaborated and shared stages with The Chieftains, Andy Irvine, Liam Ó Maonlaí, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh, Gerry O’Beirne, Steve Cooney, and Dermot Byrne.

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As well as Limerick, upcoming shows include Texas, USA – Gulf Coast Cruinniú – June 5th; Doolin – The Attic – July 29th; Dublin – Whelan’s – August 13th; Galway – The Crane – October 16th; London – Return to London Town Festival – October 25th; and Ennis – Ennis Trad Fest – November 7th.

1. What was it like growing up in Limerick?

It was brilliant. Limerick is a great place to grow up. There’s always something happening: live music, theatre, exhibitions, you name it. It’s such a vibrant city.

2. When did you first realise you wanted to pursue music professionally?

A friend sat me down one evening while we were both studying Irish music performance at UL and said, “You know Caroline, you could actually do this (as a career) if you wanted to.” I remember thinking, “Really? Could I?” From that moment on, I decided I would.

3. Who or what are your biggest inspirations?

My mam always encouraged me to follow what felt right at a given time. She taught me it’s okay to take an unusual path if it makes you happy, and that nothing is finite. You can always change direction later.

Musically, my biggest inspirations have always been my peers. Music is a conversation; it can’t exist in a vacuum. At a certain point, you don’t even need to talk, you just play. I was incredibly lucky to study alongside amazing musicians, spending hours playing tunes, laughing and learning together. Those friendships, including the one with my husband, still inspire me every day.

4. How did studying at the University of Limerick shape your musical journey?

I learned a huge amount musically and technically, but I also grew massively as a person. The faculty and my classmates believed in my music long before I fully believed in myself. Surround yourself with people like that. Eventually it rubs off on you.

5. How has moving to West Kerry influenced your creativity?

The landscapes in West Kerry are extraordinary and a constant source of inspiration creatively. My video for “Mon Père Vit Dans Les Étoiles” was filmed on the peninsula and captures some of the incredible scenery we’re lucky enough to be surrounded by.

The community is a huge part of it too. Traditional arts such as music, song, dance, language and storytelling are woven into everyday life there. The people just ‘get it’, and that’s hugely supportive to what I do day in, day out.

6. Tell us about your latest album, Rise.

Rise is an album of traditional concertina music. It’s the music that makes sense to me right now as an artist, a mother and a self-employed musician. It’s a collection of music that has shaped me and followed me throughout my life as a female traditional musician.

Some of the pieces I learned from my then teacher Siobhán Ní Chonaráin in Manister Community Hall when I was seven. Another, I learned from the first CD I ever owned, given to me by my granny. Alongside that is my own original material, including “Three Sisters”, which I wrote as a tribute to the landscapes of West Kerry.

The album is really a tribute to the strong women and people who helped shape my music.

7. You’ve said becoming a mother had a huge influence on this project. How so?

Becoming a parent sharpens your focus creatively, personally and logistically. You have less time, so what you create has to mean something.

Balancing motherhood with a creative career can be difficult, and I think most working mothers can relate to that. If I’m away from my children, I want that time to be intentional and worthwhile.

More importantly, it’s also made me reflect more deeply on values and legacy: what kind of life I want for my children, what environments I want them to grow up in and what values I want to pass on. I’ve leaned more into the things I truly believe in and moved away from what distracts or drains me.

8. What advice would you give to someone hoping to pursue a career in music?

Do it. Don’t let anyone put you off. It’s a real job, and it requires massive discipline, self-motivation and a strong belief in yourself. It’s not easy, but it’s incredibly rewarding. You can get a mortgage, you can have a family. It’s a job at the end of the day but also a passion.

You can’t approach it with entitlement. It’s 10% art and 90% hard work, making sure every base is covered. Self-doubt is part of it, so talk to people and share experiences.

Play the positive-sum game. Share knowledge, opportunities and resources with other artists. It comes back around. The industry is tough enough as it is, so artists need to support each other.

There’s still a huge imbalance for women in traditional music. So many girls learn music when they’re young, but far fewer remain in professional musicianship later on. The more visible female artists become, the easier it is for younger women to imagine themselves in those spaces too.

Choose a partner who understands and is supportive of what you’re doing. My husband, Tom Delany, an incredible uilleann piper, bouzouki player and singer, is a huge source of strength and encouragement and vice versa.

9. What are your hopes for the future?

Personally, I hope to continue feeling fulfilled and happy. I’m currently working on several projects I’m really excited about, including a body of traditional Irish music created specifically for infants aged 0–1, informed by infant-based research. The project will become a CD called Nótaí Beaga, which I hope to release next year.

More broadly, I hope people begin to recognise how essential it is to support artists and the arts. We’re living in a time where convenience is often valued more than creativity, and that’s something we should be very careful about.

Artists can’t survive if everyone streams music but nobody attends concerts or supports the creation of that music. If emerging artists can’t make a living, we risk losing authentic creativity altogether.

I’d encourage people to do two things: go to live performances whenever you can, because art builds connection and community; and if there’s an artist you love, especially an independent one, support them directly. Buy their music, merchandise or tickets instead of only streaming.

To put it into context, a single stream pays an artist roughly €0.0003. I can’t feed my family with that. I’d need around 15,000 streams to buy a loaf of bread.

10. What’s your favourite thing about Limerick?

The people. Some of my closest friends are from Limerick, people I met when I was very young. We’ve all gone in different directions in life, but they remain some of the kindest, funniest and most genuine people I know. We have the same core values: be sound and have a laugh.