Richie O'Shea was born in Brooklyn, New York, and after finishing high school, he attended City College of New York for Business and Public Relations. Entering the workforce of New York City, he worked for a major brokerage firm. During that time, he also took part in joining many of the Irish American Organizations. Always enthused with music and being part of his local church choir, he found a l
ove for Irish music, being that his parents who hailed from West Cork made music an integral part of their lives. He first appeared on the bandstand with the renowned Mickey Carton’s Orchestra in Gaelic Park, New York. After getting a taste of the Irish music experience and performing with many local Irish groups in the metropolitan area, he decided to form his own band called the Four Provinces. After years of success, and recording his first album in 1972, called “These Are My Mountains” on the Avoca label, it became an instant hit. This set the stage for him to continue his performances at dances, weddings, concerts and festivals. In 1974, he decided to emigrate to Ireland and set up a business in Newcastle West, County Limerick. Owning and operating a local public house, where there he found the people friendly and jovial. Continuing his musical endeavors at his place of business also brought new horizons, such as becoming involved in local community affairs, and performing for local dinner dances and variety shows. In 1980, he returned to New York and was asked to join the Paddy Noonan Concert Series and simultaneously recorded the number one hit “One Day at A Time”. Touring coast to coast throughout the United States for the next five years, that song became one of the most requested recordings on Irish American radio. In 1985, he set out to form a new band of his own, with his longtime friend Frank Keegan. Together, they introduced many new ideas in the Irish entertainment field, such as Irish Weekend Getaways, Cruises, Tours to Ireland and recording their first album together called “Shannagolden”. It was during this same time he decided to go into business importing Irish goods with an Irish Import shop. After touring and working together for over ten years, he suffered a heart attack and would require open heart surgery. Owing to this, he took a break to recover and to set new goals for himself, his family and his career. After his break he decided to start a new band and recorded another album titled “Only Our Rivers Run Free”. This album features Michael O’Rourke, Jimmy Fracasi and Jimmy Walsh to name a few. He officially retired from the music scene a few years after opening up another Irish Import business in 1995 in Stewart Manor, New York. During this time, he made many guest appearances and continued to support, promote and spread Irish culture throughout the Irish American Community. On January 9, 2016, he passed away due to heart complications at St. Francis hospital in Manhasset New York. He is survived by his loving wife, former Bridget Carmody, of Newport, County Tipperary, his fine children, Joseph, Bridget, Kathleen, Richard and Sean as well as his ten grandchildren, Brianna, Jimmy, Carly, Eileen, David, Aiden, Tommy, Shannon, Molly & Owen.
