Photo credit: Emilja Jefremova
From North Connemara, Liz and Yvonne Kane, known as The Kane Sisters, are much respected musicians and educators. Born in Letterfrack, they were educated in Kylemore Abbey School. They were taught music by the great Sligo musician and music teacher, Mary Finn and by their grandfather, local fiddle player, Jimmy Mullen.
From a young age, they have been very influenced by the traditional music of Sligo and East Galway and in particular, the music of the great fiddle player from East Galway, Paddy Fahey.
Liz and Yvonne first came to national and international prominence during the three year period in which they toured with accordion player, Sharon Shannon as members of her band, The Woodchoppers. They travelled all over the world with her band and are featured artists on Sharon’s album ‘The Diamond Mountain Sessions’. At that time, a Hot Press review by Siobhan Long confirmed ‘…while ‘Fire in their Bellies’ (with Liz and Yvonne Kane) is ensemble playing at its best and most naked.’
Following this period of touring with Sharon Shannon, they decided to embark musically on their own and they recorded their first album in 2002 entitled ‘The Well Tempered Bow’. The Kane Sisters toured Ireland and the United States following the release of their first album and this followed with a second album entitled ‘Under the Diamond’ in 2005 and their third album recorded in 2010 called ‘Side by side’. Both Liz and Yvonne have written a number of compositions recorded on these albums.
Based in Letterfrack they have a solid teaching schedule and a large number of fiddle students both locally and virtually.
Liz and Yvonne also guested on a number of albums:
*The Diamond Mountain Sessions – Sharon Shannon (2000) Recorded in the Monastery Hostel in Letterfrack, Galway along with Donal Lunny, Carlos Nunez, Steve Earle, John Prine, Mary Staunton, Jackson Browne, The Hothouse Flowers and Dessie O’Halloran (Liz and Yvonne)
*The Fiddler Fair – compilation from Fiddle festival Mc Carthy’s pub Baltimore, Cork (2000) (Liz and Yvonnne)
*Behind the Mist – compilation of musicians who have been part of the Bog and Sea Week festivals in Letterfrack over the last fifteen years. (2000) (Liz and Yvonne)
*Idir Dhá Solas – Maighread and Tríona ní Dhomnaill (2000) (Liz and Yvonne)
*Providence – Providence (1999) (Liz)
*Transcendental Blues – Steve Earle (2000)(Liz and Yvonne)
*The Girls won’t leave the Boys Alone – Cherish the Ladies (2000) (Yvonne)
*Memories from the Holla – Peter and Angelina Carberry (2001) (Liz)
*The Pound Road – Dessie O’Halloran (2001) (Liz and Yvonne)
*Mná na hÉireann (Liz and Yvonne)