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James Patrick Kilbane (born, October 14, 1970) is a Gospel, Irish, Country and Easy Listening singer from Achill Island County Mayo, Ireland. James Kilbane was the runner up in Ireland's talent TV show You're A Star in 2004. Since then he has established his career with his mix of Gospel, Country and Irish music. James was born in London England and in his childhood he returned to Achill Island, Mayo, Ireland. James married Christina in 1989 and their family home is on Achill Island. Since his success in 'You're a Star' James has gone on to record and release a number of well received albums, 'King of the Road', 'Close to You, Hymns of Praise', 'Divine Love', 'Life's Miracle','Heart to Heart', 'Songs Of Ireland and the Christmas release 'The Christmas Collection'. All of James' albums have commanded considerable airplay and success amongst all MOR, Country and Gospel audiences on independent, regional and local radio in Ireland as well as abroad, rather than on national pop music stations. In March 2008 he released his forth Gospel album 'Heart to Heart' that has many classic Gospel songs, Marian favorites and some new Nashville collaborations including a new anthem for the House of the Virgin Mary titled 'Mary's House, Our Lady of Ephesus'. Mary's House is located at Meryem Ana Evi, Ephesus Turkey.

Kilbane is also known for his historical and ethnographic research into a traditional class of boat indigenous to Achill Island, the Achill yawl and also land use practices in his region of Ireland. In 2001 he completed a thesis titled "The Achill Yawl" for a Humanities in Heritage Diploma from the Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology GMIT, which is considered an authoritative work on the social history of this vernacular watercraft. In 2002 Kilbane completed a second thesis titled "The Heritage of Mountain Grazing In Achill. The Booley, Land Use, And Commonage" for a Humanities in Heritage Degree at the GMIT campus. He has also co-authored a chapter on the Achill Yawl subject in the 2008 publication "Traditional Boats of Ireland" published by Collins Press.

James Kilbane is related to Kevin Kilbane, the Hull City A.F.C. defender and Johnny Kilbane, who was the World Featherweight Champion from 1912-1923.

External links

• James Kilbane's official website
• James Kilbane at MySpace