Kieran O'Connell

About Kieran O'Connell

Kieran O'Connell originally from Coachford, a little village in County Cork Immigrated to Australia in 1982 and landed in Melbourne a city known for it's ethnic diversity and culture.
Kieran joined an established band called "The Liberties" on guitar and vocals. His older brother Dan arrived soon after and the brothers decided to form their own group which was called "Highland Paddy" and had many years of great success in Melbourne and around Australia even doing a few stints in Singapore.
Kieran is a mad Demon's fan having played Gaelic football with Sean Wight and Jim Stynes in Australia, both played for Melbourne. He says he just had to follow the career’s of Sean and Jim so jumped ship from Carlton to the Demons!! Kieran also represented Victoria in Hurling at the national Australian Gaelic Games in Adelaide many moons ago!
It’s little wonder he chose the name Shanakee for his band. In Gaelic, Shanakee is written Seanchaí and is the name given to a storyteller or a bearer of old lore; someone who keeps the stories and legends alive.
Shanakee comprises Greg Hunt on Fiddle and Mandolin, Dave Walker on Vocal, Guitar and Mandolin and Mark McNeilly on Bass Guitar, Banjo and Tin Whistle.
It’s an apt description for this Irish expat, a man who still identifies strongly with his native Cork who has wholeheartedly embraced his adopted land through his life, his story and his song, while still honouring the Celtic spirit that burns deep within.