The sound
The musical character
Altan is an Irish folk music band formed in County Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy. [1]
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On the schedule
Altan Tour Dates & Tickets
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Inside the performance
Sound, stage & company
Artist note
A sourced detail
In 1990, Altan released The Red Crow, which became the first of three Altan albums to win the "Celtic/British Isles Album of the Year" award from NAIRD. [2]
The essentials
Quick Facts About Altan
- Formed in 1987 in Gweedore, Donegal by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy; early lineup helped define Altan's signature Donegal sound.
- Broke through with major-label signing to Virgin Records in 1994, becoming the first traditional Irish group to sign with a major label.
- The Red Crow (1990) and The Red Crow’s NAIRD award helped cement Altan as a leading Celtic act; the NAIRD Celtic/British Isles Album of the Year honor was earned by this era's releases.
- The Blue Idol (2002) earned Best Group at the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, highlighting Altan’s international recognition.
- Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh received the 2017 TG4 Gradam Ceoil award; the band has also been honored with a 2006 Irish postage stamp.
- 2024 album Donegal (Compass) pays homage to Donegal; 2018 The Gap of Dreams (Compass) continued their modern/Donegal fusion approach; 2015 The Widening Gyre (Compass) explored Appalachian influences.
The records
Altan Discography
- Donegal2024 · Compass Records
- The Gap of Dreams2018 · Compass Records
- The Widening Gyre2015 · Compass Records
- Gleann Nimhe – The Poison Glen2012 · Compass Records
- 25th Anniversary Celebration2010 · Compass Records
- Local Ground2005 · Narada
- The Blue Idol2002 · Narada
- Another Sky2000 · Narada
- Runaway Sunday1997 · Virgin
- Blackwater1996 · Virgin
- Island Angel1993 · Green Linnet
- Harvest Storm1992 · Green Linnet
- The Red Crow1990 · Green Linnet
- Horse with a Heart1989 · Green Linnet
The hits
Top Altan Songs
- Sport2005 · #81 (Apple iTunes)
- Ciaran's Capers1997 · #11 (Apple iTunes)
- An Mhaighdean Mhara1993 · #13 (Apple iTunes)
- The Jug of Punch1993 · #64 (Apple iTunes)
- Dúlamán1993 · #72 (Apple iTunes)
- Dulaman1993 · #72 (Apple iTunes)
- A Bhean Udai Thall1989 · #18 (Apple iTunes)
Recorded Catalog
Shortly after the release in 1987 of Altan, their second studio album, Ní Mhaonaigh and Kennedy named their ensemble "Altan" after the name of the album. [2]
Live Performance History
Altan performed for Bill Clinton at the White House in 1994. [1]
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References
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