Joe Heaney

Joe Heaney was an Irish traditional singer who specialized in the sean-nós style, which means "old style" in Irish. He was born in Carna, a village in Connemara, where he learned many songs from his family and neighbors. He moved to London in 1949, where he worked as a laborer and became involved in the folk music scene. He recorded several albums for Topic and Gael-linn labels, and performed at various festivals and venues. He also taught singing workshops and classes in England, Scotland, and the U.S., where he settled in 1965. He was an artist-in-residence at the University of Washington and Wesleyan University, and shared his knowledge and passion for Irish culture and music with many students and admirers. He died of emphysema in 1984, leaving behind a rich legacy of songs and recordings. He is widely regarded as one of the greatest exponents of the sean-nós tradition, and his life and work have been celebrated in books, documentaries, and festivals.