Edward Keeney, 1922-2009

Irish traditional fiddling is a beautiful, complex art form with a long history. In contrast to other well-known styles, the Donegal fiddle tradition has received little attention. Only recently has it emerged from obscurity to be considered one of the most vibrant styles in the country. Edward Keeney was born in 1922 in Glendoan, Ireland. Keeney learned to play the fiddle from his father, older brother, and other local players. In 1948, he moved to New York City. While family responsibilities necessitated a regular day job as a city bus driver, Keeney played fiddle extensively for a wide variety of community events, gaining him respect in the Irish community. After retiring to Florida in 1990, Keeney found more time to devote to music. He performed regularly at the Florida Folk Festival and was a mentor for numerous musicians. He served as a master artist in the Florida Folklife Apprenticeship Program from 1997-1998 and 2006-2007 and was awarded the Florida Folk Heritage Award in 1999.