Background
Burke was born in Kilnadeema, south of Loughrea in County Galway.
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Joe Burke
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He began playing at age four, and in the 1950s bought an accordion in Waltons of Dublin for £5, which he still owns. In 1955 he joined the Leitrim Ceile Band, which included players such as Ned Coleman, Oliver Roland, Sean McGlynn, Paddy Doorley, Jack Derven, and Mick Darcy. Later the band was joined by the flute player Paddy Carty.
Burke continues to perform, and to influence accordion music, as one of Ireland"s top accordion players.
He joined Cajun player Marc Savoy and jazz accordionist Art Van Damme, while representing Ireland at the 1989 and 1992 International Accordion Festivals, in Montmagny, Quebec.
