"Arguably Ireland's biggest name in traditional music"
The description above is what you'll see if you do a Google search for Altan's website. The group had its beginnings with fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh from Gweedore in the far north and west of Ireland, and Frankie Kennedy, flute player from Belfast. Kennedy would travel to Gweedore in the 1970s to learn the Irish language and play music. He met Mairéad there and they began making music together. They were married in 1981 and released their album Ceol Anduaidh (Music of the North) in 1983. They were joined by Ciaran Curran and Mark Kelly on their second album, named Altan after a deep lake in Mairéad's home district. Altan became the group's name with the third album, Horse with a Heart.
Three more albums followed before Frankie, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992, died in 1994. The title track of 1993's Island Angel was written by Mairéad for Frankie. Encouraged by Frankie, the group remained together and has released five more albums of new material along with several compilations.
Photo of Altan by Niall More and used with permission granted by the GNU Free Documentation License.
Buying Altan's Music
Altan CDs and MP3s (1983 - 1991)
Ceol Aduaidh
The first recording by Frankie Kennedy and Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was Ceol Anduaidh (Music of the North), released in 1983 on the Gael-Linn label and rereleased on Green Linnet in 1994. Mairéad is featured on vocals and fiddle, and Frankie plays flute. Future Altan band member Ciaran Curran played cittern, Fintan McManus played bouzouki, and Eithne Ní Bhraonáin (also from Gweedore and better known these days as Enya) contributed synthesizer to a track.
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Altan
On this second recording by Frankie and Mairéad, Altan is the recording's name, with Frankie and Mairéad's names as artists on the cover. This 1987 recording is their first for the Green Linnet label. Musicians include future Altan members Ciaran Curran on bouzouki and Mark Kelly on guitar. Dónal Lunny played bodhran and keyboards, and Anna Ní Mhaonaigh contributed vocals to one track.
MP3: Altan
Amazon Price: $14.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
Horse with a Heart
This 1989 Green Linnet recording is the first using Altan as the band name. Fiddler Paul O'Shaughnessy is part of the band here and the next two CDs. Additional musicians are Phil Cunningham, who also produced, Colm Murphy, Dónal Lunny, Steve White, and Marie Askin.
MP3: Horse With A Heart
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
The Red Crow
The five-person lineup continues on this 1990 release. Additional musicians are Marie Askin, Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh, Dermot Byrne, Seamus Quinn, Garvan Gallagher, Dónal Lunny, Maire Bhreathnach, Niall Toner, and P. J. Curtis.
Amazon Price: $13.99 (as of 10/11/2008)
Harvest Storm
On this 1992 release, Ciaran Tourish joins the Altan lineup with fiddle, whistle, and backing vocals. Additional musicians are Daíthí Sproule, Tommy Hayes, Dónal Lunny, Liam O Maonlai, and Frieda Gray.
MP3: Harvest Storm
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
Altan CDs and MP3s (1993 - 1997)
Island Angel
Island Angel's title track was written by Mairéad for her husband Frankie, who was diagnosed with cancer in 1992. The album was released in 1993. Guest musicians are Dermot Byrne, Dónal Lunny, Tommy Hayes, Steve Cooney, Neil Martin, and Anna Ní Mhaonaigh.
MP3: Island Angel
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
Once Again (1987-1993)
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
The First Ten Years: 1986-1995
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
Blackwater
For this 1996 release, two frequent guest musicians from previous CDs join the band in a lineup that continues to this day. Dermot Byrne on accordion and single row melodeon, and Daíthí Sproule on guitar and backing vocals join regular members Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciaran Tourish, Ciaran Curran and Mark Kelly. Additional musicians are Dónal Lunny, Steve Cooney, Jimmy Higgins, Brendan Power, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Maigréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Anna Ní Mhaonaigh, Conan Doyle, and the string quartet of Tommy Kane, Máire Breathnach, David James, and Annette Cleary.
MP3: Blackwater
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
The Best of Altan
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
Altan CDs and MP3s (1997 - 2005)
Runaway Sunday
This 1997 CD includes Mairéad's song "Time Has Passed" which deals with the passing of Frankie Kennedy in 1994. She hadn't planned on including it, but other Altan members felt it belonged on the recording. Additional musicians include Stephen Cooney, Jerry Douglas, Dónal Lunny, Alison Krauss, Pat Crowley, Jimmy Higgins, Matt Molloy, and Neil Martin.
MP3: Runaway Sunday
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Altan's Finest
Amazon Price: $12.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
Another Sky
This 2000 CD is on the Narada label. Additional musicians are Neil Martin, Steve Cooney, Jimmy Higgins, Bonnie Raitt, Jerry Douglas, and Dónal Lunny.
MP3: Another Sky
Amazon Price: $9.97 (as of 10/11/2008)
The Blue Idol
This 2002 CD is on the Narada label. Additional musicians are Dolly Parton, Paul Brady, Neil Martin, Steve Cooney, Richie Buckley, Jimmy Higgins, and Anna Ní Mhaonaigh.
MP3: The Blue Idol
Amazon Price: $9.97 (as of 10/11/2008)
Local Ground
Released in 2005, this is currently Altan's newest CD (as of April 2008). Additional musicians are Brian Masterson, Carlos Nunez, Jimmy Higgins, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Graham Henderson, Dónal Lunny, and Steve Cooney. Much more information about this CD can be found at http://www.altan.ie/work.html.
MP3: Local Ground
Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 10/11/2008)
Other Altan CDs and MP3s
The Best of Altan: The Songs
MP3: The Best Of Altan - The Songs
Amazon Price: $10.97 (as of 10/11/2008)
The Best of the Thistle & Shamrock, Vol. 1
Altan contributes "The Jug of Punch" to this Celtic all-star lineup which includes Dougie MacLean, Battlefield Band, Clannad, Sileas, Alasdair Fraser (with Paul Machlis), Maura O'Connell and Davy Spillane.
MP3: The Best Of The Thistle & Shamrock
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
A Thistle & Shamrock Christmas Ceilidh
Altan's "The Snowy Path" appears on this compilation. Other artists include Capercaillie, Lúnasa, The Tannahill Weavers, Liz Carroll, John Renbourn and Phil Cunningham.
MP3: A Thistle & Shamrock Christmas Ceilidh
Amazon Price: $16.98 (as of 10/11/2008)
Eist - Songs in Their Native Language...
If you like songs in Gaelic, you'll probably enjoy this compilation. Altan leads off, followed by Seamus Beagley & Mary Black, Van Morrison & The Chieftains, Brian Kennedy & Máire Breatnach, plus many others, including English singer Kate Bush (yes, she sings in Gaelic). The CD is available from Amazon through its partners.
MP3: eist
Amazon Price: (as of 10/11/2008)
Video: Altan performing Dulaman
More videos can be seen at my Altan Video Showcase
Altan Links
- Altan's Official Website
- This extensive website includes history, bios of band members, tour dates, photos, and more.
- Mairead and Dermot on The Full Set
- Watch Mairead and Dermot on the RTE One program The Full Set. It's about 26 minutes in length, and another two-minute clip is also available. RealPlayer is needed to play it.
- Altan Video Showcase
- Watch your own Altan mini-concert!
- LiveIreland.com
- LiveIreland is an Internet radio station broadcasting 24 hours a day. It features traditional Irish music and contemporary music in the traditional style. Altan is played frequently. One weekdays between 7 and 11 p.m. GMT live DJs are often seen on their webcam. The site also features a chatroom where chatters can make requests and chat with friends.
- Other Celtic music lenses by MobyD
- A lens to help you find similar lenses I've made.
- Altan at HavePun-WillTravel.com
- This lens recreated as a page on my website.
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