Traditional Irish folk singer Dolores Keane has died aged 72.
The musician, a founder member of De Dannan who went on to have a solo career, died peacefully at her home in Co Galway.
Among Keane’s best-known recordings was her 1988 version of Dougie MacLean’s Caledonia, which featured on A Woman’s Heart, a compilation album with other leading female musicians, as well as Lion in a Cage and My Love is in America.
President Catherine Connolly said Keane was “one of the great voices of this island, and of the world”.
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“With De Dannan, in her solo work, on A Woman’s Heart and in recordings that have become part of the fabric of Irish life she showed what it means to bring the full weight of yourself to a song,” she said in a statement.
Connolly extended her “deepest condolences” to Keane’s children Joseph and Tara, siblings Seán and Theresa and the wider Keane family. Keane was married to musician John Faulkner, with whom she collaborated professionally before separating in 1988.
“To all who loved her and were moved by her, and we are many, I say simply: a voice like hers does not leave us, it moves into the air and lives forever. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis,” the President added.
Tánaiste Simon Harris said he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Keane’s death, describing her as “one of Ireland’s greatest”.
Minister for Culture Patrick O’Donovan said Keane was “a true pioneer of the folk tradition”.
“Her unique gift brought the beauty of Irish song to the global stage. Her music and her spirit will live on in the hearts of all who were moved by her incredible talent. May she rest in peace.”
Speaking on RTÉ’s Drivetime, fiddle player Frankie Gavin said Keane’s death was “a huge loss”.
“Her personality just melted the hearts of everyone in Ireland. She was a wonderful personality. The kindest individual you could ever meet,” he said.
“Her voice was so distinctive ... She was a big-hearted and super generous lady. It’s just heartbreaking.”
Keane was raised by her aunts Rita and Sarah Keane, who were well-known sean-nós singers.
In a documentary marking her 70th birthday in 2023, Keane spoke of singing being part of the tradition in her family home and of “singing all the way to the dance and all the way home”.
“I can’t sing a song if I don’t like it,” she said, adding that when she does, “I really give it my all”.
The album A Woman’s Heart, released in 1992, sold more than 750,000 copies. “It went down great with everyone, and I was delighted with that,” Keane said in the documentary.
She said she “couldn’t help but be chuffed” when performing to crowds.
In the documentary, musician Paul Brady said of Keane’s music: “Singers all over the world, when they hear Caledonia, or songs like that, they just go: ‘That’s the best there is’.”
Singer Tommy Sand said “the wonderful thing about Dolores” was that she took very intimate beautiful songs heard around the fire out into a wide open world.
“So to be faithful to the integrity of the song and their tradition, you have to refocus your voice and your soul to make it relevant in a different world. And she did that,” he added.
Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.
