Dolores Keane, born September 26, 1953, in Sylane near Tuam, County Galway, Ireland, is an Irish folk singer. Raised by her musical aunts, she began singing at a young age. In 1975, she co-founded the traditional Irish folk band Dé Danann, which gained international recognition. Dolores Keane's solo career started with the album There Was a Maid in 1978. In 1988, she released her self-titled album Dolores Keane, which included the hit "Lion in a Cage", a protest song against Nelson Mandela's imprisonment. Dolores Keane also participated in the successful folk anthology A Woman's Heart (1992), which became Ireland's best-selling album. After a hiatus due to personal struggles, she returned to performing in the mid-2010s and released new music in 2023. Other releases include Sail óg rua (1983), Solid Ground (1993) and Night Owl (1997). In 2024, Dolores Keane received an honorary doctorate in Music from University of Galway. She died at her home of Caherlistrane, Ireland, on March 16, 2026, at the age of 72.
