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), Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
(b. 26 July 1959, Donegal, Eire; vocals, fiddle), Ciaran Curran (b. 14 June
1955, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland; bouzouki), Dáithí 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.
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), Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh
(b. 26 July 1959, Donegal, Eire; vocals, fiddle), Ciaran Curran (b. 14 June
1955, Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh, Northern Ireland; bouzouki), Dáithí 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.
