Junior Brother


Ronan Kealy, known as Junior Brother, is an Irish alternative folk singer-songwriter from County Kerry.

Early life

Kealy grew up in County Kerry. He attended St Brendan's College, Killarney and studied English in University College Cork and Ballyfermot College of Further Education.

Career

Junior Brother moved to Dublin in 2014 to begin his career. His stage name is taken from a character in the Elizabethan play The Revenger's Tragedy. He was named as one of RTÉ's Rising Irish Stars of 2018, and as one of The Irish Times' "Irish music contenders ready to break through in 2019". His first album, Pull The Right Rope, was nominated for the Choice Music Prize. In a 4-star review for The Irish Times, music journalist Tony Clayton-Lea wrote: "...the tales told here are full of wide-eyed wonders and keen observations. Between the clatter of one and clarity of the other, Junior Brother’s songs are the real deal." Music website The Last Mixed Tape wrote of the album: "An album of pure expression, Pull The Right Rope is a masterclass in the sheer joy of creation." In March 2019 he appeared on The Tommy Tiernan Show, and in April 2020 on Other Voices (Irish TV series).

Discography

EPs

  • PowPig / Junior Brother

Studio albums

Awards and nominations

[Choice Music Prize]

YearNominated workAwardResult
2019Pull The Right RopeAlbum of the Year
2019---

[RTÉ [Radio 1 Folk Awards]]

YearNominated workAwardResult
2019Pull The Right RopeBest Folk Album
2019---