Altan (band)

Altan
Altan on their North America Tour in 2010: (left to right) Ciarán Curran, Ciarán Tourish, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Dermot Byrne and Dáithí Sproule
Altan on their North America Tour in 2010: (left to right) Ciarán Curran, Ciarán Tourish, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Dermot Byrne and Dáithí Sproule
Background information
OriginGweedore, County Donegal, Ireland
GenresIrish traditional, folk
Years active1987–present
LabelsGreen Linnet, Virgin, Narada, Compass
Members
Past members
Websitewww.altan.ie

Altan are an Irish folk music band formed in County Donegal in 1987 by lead vocalist Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her husband Frankie Kennedy.[1] The group were primarily influenced by traditional Irish language songs from Donegal[2] and have sold over a million records.[3]

The group were the first traditional Irish group to be signed to a major label when they signed with Virgin Records in 1994.[4] The group has collaborated with Dolly Parton, Enya, The Chieftains, Bonnie Raitt, Alison Krauss, and many others.[5]

  1. ^ "Altan". Ceolas. 19 September 1994. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  2. ^ "National Geographic – Inspiring People to Care About the Planet Since 1888". Worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com. 17 February 2010. Archived from the original on 20 August 2012. Retrieved 3 September 2013.
  3. ^ "Irish News UK – News from the Irish Community in Britain". 4 August 2009. Archived from the original on 4 August 2009. Retrieved 20 October 2019.
  4. ^ "Altan". Archived from the original on 23 February 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2015.
  5. ^ "Donegal County.com & Dún na nGall.com – Altan". Dun-na-ngall.com. Archived from the original on 17 October 2013. Retrieved 3 September 2013.