Sarah Makem

Traditional singer; Keady, County Armagh

Born
18 October 1900, Keady, County Armagh
Died
20 April 1983

Sarah Makem of Keady kept several hundred songs in her memory, telling stories of murder, love and emigration. Collectors including Jean Ritchie and Peter Kennedy recorded her in the 1950s. Her As I Roved Out was used to open a BBC radio folk programme of the same name. She was the mother of Tommy Makem, and her family carried her songs on through later generations.

Further reading: Wikipedia