finetune artist: Altan

This Irish traditional band, in the mould of De Dannan, has achieved popularity on its own merits. Their name was taken from Loch Altan (near Gweedore in north-western Donegal). The line-up of Frankie Kennedy (b. 30 September 1955, Belfast, Northern Ireland, d. 19 September 1994, Belfast, Northern Ireland; flute), Mairad N¡ Mhaonaigh (b. 26 July 1959, Donegal, Eire; vocals, fiddle), Ciaran Curran (b. 14 June 1955, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland; bouzouki), D ith¡ Sproule (b. 23 May 1950, Co. Derry, Northern Ireland; guitar, vocals), and Ciaran Tourish (b. 27 May 1967, Buncrana, Co. Donegal, Eire; fiddle), built up a strong following both in Britain, and the USA, where they first toured in 1988. The band was formed in 1987 following the release of Altan. At that point, the band was ostensibly Kennedy and Mhaonaigh, who were married in 1981, but with the others playing on the recording a more permanent arrangement was established. Their repertoire comes largely from Donegal, and due to the area's historical links with Scotland, the music has absorbed influences from both Irish and Scottish sources. Later recruits to the band included Mark Kelly (b. 15 March 1961, Dublin, Eire; guitar) and Dermot Byrne (b. Co. Donegal, Eire; accordion), although sadly Kennedy succumbed to cancer in 1994. Altan now regularly tour the USA and Europe, and have made frequent festival appearances. In 1996, the band signed a major label contract with Virgin Records, releasing the well-received albums Blackwater, Runaway Sunday and Another Sky.

Listen to Altan at Finetune.

Si Do Mhaimeo I
John Doherty's Reels
Pretty Peg - New Ships a Sailing - the Bird's Nest - the Man From Bundoran
A Moment In Time
Citi Ni Eadhra