Background & Rise to Fame

Brendan Keeley hails from Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland, where his career began with humble, determined steps—performing independently, even outside record stores to promote his music.  

Breakthrough with “I’ll Always Be Lonely”

His self-penned single “I’ll Always Be Lonely”, released in 1995, was a breakthrough hit. It remained on Irish charts for six months and went platinum in its first week. This success catapulted him into the spotlight and set the stage for several more hits. 

Successive Hits & Albums

Keeley achieved a string of chart successes, including multiple platinum albums:

• 1997: Second album Miss You Tonight featured hits like “Does He Really Love You”, “This Woman”, “Hands to Heaven”, and “Wishing”

• 2004: Released At Last, a platinum-selling compilation featuring past hits and new material. 

  International Collaboration

  In 2000, Brendan recorded a duet titled “Still in Love” with French Eurovision winner Jacqueline Boyer, marking his seventh consecutive top-ten hit in Ireland.

  Expanding to Overseas Markets

  His album Under a Celtic Sky—his debut release in the USA and Canada—blends six of his own songs with beloved Irish classics like “Belfast Child”, “The Whole of the Moon”, and “The Great Song of Indifference”. 

  Awards & Recognition

  Brendan has earned notable accolades, including:

  • Two IRMA nominations

  • National Entertainment Award (now the Meteors) for Best New Music. 

    Community & Choir Leadership

    He founded the Tullamore Gospel Choir, which became the largest of its kind in Ireland, raising significant funds for charity and releasing successful albums. Although he stepped down as director in 2014 due to work commitments, his legacy in community music endures.

    More Recent Developments

    In 2023, Brendan re-released “I’ll Always Be Lonely”—28 years after its original release—and began independently distributing his music online, aiming to reach a global audience beyond traditional record companies.