Darach Ó Catháin facts for kids

Darach Ó Catháin (born September 30, 1922 – died September 29, 1987) was a famous Irish singer. He was known for a special style of singing called sean-nós. This means "old style" in Irish.

Darach Ó Catháin was one of the best sean-nós singers of his time. Another great singer from his home area, Connemara, was Seosamh Ó hÉanaí. A famous musician named Seán Ó Riada also praised Darach's singing. Darach moved from Ireland to Leeds, England, for work. He lived there for the rest of his life.

Darach's Early Life and Family

Darach Ó Catháin was born on September 30, 1922. His family lived in a place called Maimin, in Lettermore, Connemara, Ireland. He was the seventh of twelve children in his family.

When he was born, his name was written as Dudley Keane in English records. His parents were Coleman Keane and Monica Faherty. In 1935, his family moved to Ráth Chairn. This was a new Irish-speaking area, or Gaeltacht, in County Meath. Darach learned to love singing from his mother. She also taught him many of his songs.

His Singing Career and Fame

By the late 1950s, Darach was known as one of Ireland's best sean-nós singers. In the early 1960s, Seán Ó Riada started a radio show. It was called Reacaireacht an Riadaigh on RTÉ Radio 1. These shows changed traditional Irish music forever. Darach Ó Catháin was the main singer on these popular radio programs.

In 1962, Darach released his first commercial recording. This led to the creation of famous music groups like Ceoltóirí Cualann and later The Chieftains.

Working and Recording Music

While Darach was singing with Ó Riada, he also worked hard. He was a labourer on building sites in London and northern England. By 1963, he felt that his family would have a better future in Leeds. That year, his wife, Bríd, sold their home. She moved with their children to Yorkshire.

Years later, Darach Ó Catháin released another album. It was called Traditional Irish Unaccompanied Singing (1975). This album made him even more famous. Many people thought he was the greatest sean-nós singer ever. Darach Ó Catháin became a very important person in Irish music.

In 1967, he won the "Best sean-nós singer" award in Ireland. This was at the Oireachtas competitions. He also won the Ó'Riada Trophy for his amazing singing.

Darach's Family Life in Leeds

When the Kane family moved to Leeds, it was a big change. It was not always easy, but the Kane family still lives in Leeds today.

A radio show called Dudley Kane – Darach Ó Catháin – is here in Leeds on RTÉ told their story. It followed the journey of Darach's seven children and their mother, Bríd. When they moved, their oldest daughter, Barbara, was 16. She was already living in Boston in the United States. She later joined her family in Leeds.

His daughters, Bridie (who was 15) and Monica (who was 9), remembered their first days in Leeds. They felt a bit lost because they did not know much English. But they also remembered how much they loved their father. They cherished the musical talent he passed on to them.

Television Documentary About Darach

Darach Ó Catháin was also the subject of a major television show. It was called Cérbh É? Darach Ó Catháin and was shown on TG4 in November 2009.

In this program, famous traditional musician Iarla Ó Lionáird explored Darach's life. He also looked at Darach's lasting impact on music. This show was part of a series where modern musicians honored old masters.

Darach Ó Catháin once said, "When you've music in you, you're hearing music always." This shows how much music meant to him.

See also

• List of traditional Irish singers