Award-winning Group Firmly in the Irish Tradition
Danu was formed in an Rinn, County Waterford, Ireland in 1996. They performed at the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in France, then decided to stay together to perform and record. While not afraid to experiment and expand their repertoire, Danu remains firmly committed to Irish tradition. They are the only group to have been named Best Traditional Group twice in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, and their version of Tommy Sands' "County Down" won Best Traditional Song in the same awards listings.
Contents at a Glance
The Members of Danú
Currently seven members - the lineup has changed over the years
Common threads in the lives of all Danú's members have been growing up in musical families and being surrounded by some of the best players and teachers Ireland has to offer.Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is the lead singer and she also plays flute and whistle. She sings in the traditional, folk, and Sean Nós styles in both Irish and English. When she was nine, her family moved to Dún Chaoin in the West-Kerry Gaeltacht, where she learned flute, whistle and Sean Nós singing from local musicians and singers.
Tom Doorley is the group's flute and whistle player and often takes on the role of spokesperson on stage. He is a noted storyteller. He lives on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia with his wife and children, and is also a teacher, passing on his knowledge of the flute to the next generation.
Dónal Clancy is the guitar player and an original member who left to play with the Irish-American band Solas and tour with his father, Liam Clancy of the Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem.
Oisin McAuley joined Danú in 2001 as a fiddle player. He plays an unusual five-string fiddle and is comfortable with many styles. Before joining the group, he played with Stockton's Wing, Cran, Alan Kelly, Hot Club of Dublin and others.
Éamon Doorley is Tom's younger brother and plays bouzouki and fiddle with the group. He has been playing music with his brother from a young age, so he fit right in with Danú.
Donnchadh Gough began playing a bodhrán at the age of seven on an instrument given to him by his neighbor Liam Clancy. His whistle playing caught the attention of Finbar Furey, who arranged to have pipes made for him. He was taught by many of Waterford's best uillean pipers and considers his greatest influence to be Séamus Ennis. He plays both bodhrán and uillean pipes with Danú.
Benny McCarthy is one of the original members of the group and plays accordion and melodeon. His main teacher on the squeezeboxes has been Bobby Gardiner, and he has been influenced in his development by Jackie Daly, Joe Derrane and Máirtín O' Connor.
Former members of Danú include singers Cárthach MacCraith and Ciarán O Gealbháin, guitarist Noel Ryan who replaced Dónal while he was playing with Solas and Liam Clancy, and fiddlers Jesse Smith and Daire Bracken.
Dual
With Julie Fowlis, Eamon Doorley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh and Ross Martin
Eamon and Muireann of Danú are joined by Eamon's wife, Scots Gaelic singer Julie Fowlis, and Ross Martin.Dual CD from Amazon.com
Dual CD from Amazon.co.uk
Track list:
1. Da Bhfaigheann Mo Rogha De Thriur Acu/Dhannsamaid Le Ailean/Cairistion' Nigh'n Eoghainn
2. Beauty Deas An Oilealin
3. Tha 'm Buntata Mor/An Bairille/Boc Liath Nan Gobhar
4. An Eala Bhan
5. Uist-Kerry Set: Bu Chaomh Leam Bhith Fuireach/Port Dealai/Neili
6. Alasdair Mhic Cholla Ghasda
7. Gol Na mBan San Ar/The Walls Of Liscarroll/Alistrum's March
8. Duan Na Muiligheartaich & Laoi Na Mna Mora
9. An Coisir/Chuirinn Mo Ghiollan A Dh' Iomain Nan Caorach
10. Cailini Deasa Mhuigheo/Eader Alba Is Eirinn/Mrs Ramsay Of Barton/Tie The Bonnet Tight
11. Pe In Eirinn I
12. A Riogain Uasail
When All Is Said and Done
Danu blends solid Irish tradition with contemporary influences in this sixth album, which includes the Bob Dylan song "Farewell Angelina." This will have you up and dancing around the house, but mind the dresser.
When All Is Said And Done MP3 from Amazon.com
When All Is Said and Done CD from Amazon.co.uk
When All Is Said And Done MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
When All Is Said And Done MP3 from Amazon.com
When All Is Said and Done CD from Amazon.co.uk
When All Is Said And Done MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
When All Is Said and Done
Amazon Price: $16.99 (as of 12/25/2009)
Tracks:
- The Highest Hill in Sligo / Garrison Road / Reichswall Forest
Follow On
The Peacock's Feather / The Old Copperplate / The Boy in the Gap
O Dheara, 'Sheanduine
Dermie Diamond's Barndance / John Doherty's Pipe March / Around the House and Mind the Dresser
Farewell, Angelina
SeaDn Ryan's Reel / The Coachman's Whip / Casey's Reel
An CailiDn Deas Cruite Na mBo
Willie's Fling / The Kilfenora Jig
Only Nineteen Years Old
Ard a Bhothair / Sean-Tiobrad ADrann / The Heathery Breeze
I'll Mend Your Pots and Kettles O / The Spinning Wheel
Kerry Tunes
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Up in the Air
This album is a bit different, featuring individual members of Danu on various tracks instead of the full band.
Up In The Air MP3 from Amazon.com
Danu: Up in the Air CD from Amazon.co.uk
Listed on the UK site as "Danu"
Up In The Air MP3 from Amazon.com
Danu: Up in the Air CD from Amazon.co.uk
Listed on the UK site as "Danu"
Up in the Air
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/25/2009)
Tracks:
- Benny McCarthy : The Moving Cloud / Ril Gan Ainm
Tom Doorley : Mooneys Minuet / The Graf Spay / The Long Strand
Donal Clancy : The Stone in the Field / The Walls of Liscarroll
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh : Raghadsa's Mo Cheaiti
Donnchadh Gough : Taimse Im'Chodhladh
Oisin McAuley : Jiggedy Jiggedy Highland / Francie Dearg's Highland / Miss Ramsey's
Eamonn Doorley : Slip Jig / Jig Gan Ainm
Tom Doorley : The PowerOut / The Dublin Reel
Donal Clancy : Spike Island Lasses / Toss the Feathers
Benny McCarthy : Reel in D / Mary Bergin's
Tom Doorley : Kelly's Mountain / Liam Archie Reel
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh : Molly na gCuach Ni Chuilleanain
Oisin McAuley : King of the Fairies / The New Policeman / The Langstrom Pony
Donal Clancy : Sean a Duibhir a' Ghleanna
Donnchadh Gough : The Girl from the Big House / Liam O'Flynn's
Benny McCarthy : Slip Jig / The Humours of Glendart
Oisin McAuley : Welcome Home Grainne
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh : Sean sa Cheo / John Doherty's / The Highland Man Kissed His Granny
The Road Less Traveled
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh takes on the lead singer role. Guitarist Donal Clancy comes back to the lineup. Guest fiddler John Sheahan is featured, and the group goes outside Irish tradition with the American folk tune "Peg and Awl" and Richard Thompson's "Farewell, Farewell."
The Road Less Traveled MP3 from Amazon.com
Road Less Travelled CD from Amazon.co.uk
The Road Less Traveled MP3 from Amazon.com
Road Less Travelled CD from Amazon.co.uk
The Road Less Traveled
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/24/2009)
Tracks:
1. MaCahill's Reel/Dohery's/Reel Gan Ainm
2. County Down
3. Top it off/Jig Gan Ainm/Kilkenny Jig/Alasdruims March
4. Peg and Awl
5. The Fairy Reel/The Old Torn Petticoat/Our House at Home
6. Raitachas na Tairngreacht
7. Garech's Wedding/Reel Gan Ainm/The Moving Bog/Cliffs of Glen ColmCille
8. Farewell, Farewell
9. Song of the Chanter/Rakes of Clonmel
10. The Wonder Hornpipe/The Impish Hornpipe
11. Beannacht o Ri na hAoine
12. Neili/Dan Sullivan's Swing Band/Dayne Thomas's/Jazzing with Mag Leary
Donegal's reels
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All Things Considered
Ciaran O' Gealbhain is once again the lead singer on this album.
All Things Considered MP3 from Amazon.com
All Things Considered CD from Amazon.co.uk
All Things Considered MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
All Things Considered MP3 from Amazon.com
All Things Considered CD from Amazon.co.uk
All Things Considered MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
All Things Considered
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/24/2009)
Tracks:
- Garsun Who Beat His Father / Sean McGuire's / Jimmy Kelly's
Bridget Donaghue
Kinegad Slashers / Young Tom Ennis / Battering Ram
Wee Lass On The Brae
Buck From The Mountain / Paddy Killoran's
Rince Garbhchriche Ri Seoirse IV / Road To Cashel / Cafferkey's Shine
Easy And Free
Rogha An Ghabha / Mountain Lark / John Carty's / Old Pensioner
An Deirc
Sliabh Russell / An Buachaill Dreoite / Humours Of Rahey
Jack Coughlan's / Kilteery / Michelle O'Sullivan's
Uncle Rat
Beauty Spot / Maid Behind The Barrel
Idir Aird Mhor Is Eochaill
Think Before You Think
The vocalist on this album is Cairan O Gealbhain.
Think Before You Think MP3 from Amazon.com
Think Before You Think CD from Amazon.co.uk
Think Before You Think MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
Think Before You Think MP3 from Amazon.com
Think Before You Think CD from Amazon.co.uk
Think Before You Think MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
Think Before You Think
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/25/2009)
Are You Ready Yet? / The Tailor's Thimble / Donoghue's Reel / I'm Ready Now
Green Brooms / The Humours of Kill Cloughter
Old Ruined Cottage in the Glen / Morning Dew / Think Before You Think Before You Speak
Paddy Rainey's Jig / Johnny Leary's / Winnie Hayes'
Fair and Tender Ladies
Peggy's Nettles / Butler of the Glen Avenue / Mountain Top
Cameron Highlander / Blackthorn Stick
An Paistin Fionn
Peeler's Jacket / Millner's Daughter
The Outlandish Knight
Dinny O'Brien's / Tommy Peoples / Small Hills of Offaly
Banish Misfortune / Trip to Athlone / Trim the Velvet
Eochaill
Danú
This first album includes unaccompanied singing by Carthach MacCraith.
Danu
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
Tracks:
- Scarta Glen / Hunters Purse / Reconciliation
The Wise Maid / The Pigeon On The Gate
Frahers / An Tiocfaidh Tu Abhaile Liom
Da mBeadh again or
Independence Hornpipe / Colonel Fraser
Barndance
Inish Iar
Joe Banes / Reel
E Minor Jig / Jim Wards
Palmers Gate / Sailing Into Walpoles March
An T-oglach
Humours of Tullagh / The Red Bee
Polkas
DVD - Danú - One Night Stand
One Night Stand
Amazon Price: (as of 12/25/2009)
This DVD includes a performance recorded live in Dublin's Vicar St. in 2004. Also included are short individual documentaries with each of the band's members, a 20-minute documentary on the band itself, and home videos from the road. It all adds up to three hours and fifteen minutes. Special guests include John Sheahan of the Dubliners, Liam Clancy, Phil Cunningham, Sharon Shannon, Des Dillon and many others.
Order DVD from Amazon.co.uk: Danu: One Night Stand [2005] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Daybreak: Fáinne an Lae
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is Danu's lead singer and also plays flute and whistle with the group. This album showcases her beautiful voice. She expands the idea of contemporary folk with her choice of material, yet keeps one foot firmly in tradition.
Daybreak: Fainne An Lae MP3 from Amazon.com
Daybreak: Fainne An Lae CD from Amazon.co.uk
Daybreak: Fainne An Lae MP3 from Amazon.com
Daybreak: Fainne An Lae CD from Amazon.co.uk
Daybreak: Fáinne an Lae
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/24/2009)
Tracks:
- 1. Western Highway
2. Free And Easy To Jog Along
3. Seoithin Seotho
4. Cnocan An Teampaill (Slip Jigs And Jig)
5. Persuasion
6. Slan Le Maugh
7. Isle Of Malachy
8. An Spealadoir
9. Emigrant's Farewell
10. Humours Of Whiskey (Highland Reels)
11. Banks Of The Nile
12. Parting Glass
Dónal Clancy - Close to Home
Donal Clancy, son of Liam of the Clancy Brothers, has played with Solas, Danu, the Eileen Ivers Band and others, always with effective yet unobtrusive support of his fellow performers. On this solo album, he gets a chance to spotlight his considerable talent.
Close To Home MP3 from Amazon.com
Close to Home CD from Amazon.co.uk
Close To Home MP3 from Amazon.com
Close to Home CD from Amazon.co.uk
Close to Home
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/25/2009)
Tracks:
- 1. Tommy Coen's Memories/Callaghan's
2. Garrett Barry's/Humours Of Trim
3. Nomad
4. Ask My Father/Helvic Head
5. Sean O Duibhir Ghleanna/Bill Malley's
6. Farewell To Connaught/Repeal Of The Union
7. Lord Inchiquin
8. An Buachaill Caol Dubh
9. Monaghan Jig/Old Hag You Have Killed Me
10. Castle Of Dromore/Sonny Brogan's
11. Concert Reel/My Love And I In The Garden
12. Byrne's/Kitty's Wedding
Dónal Clancy - Masters of the Irish Guitar
Donal Clancy is the producer of this album and contributes two tracks along with the talents of nine other performers, including Artie McGlynn, John Doyle and Daithi Sproule.
Masters Of The Irish Guitar MP3 from Amazon.com
Masters of the Irish Guitar CD from Amazon.co.uk
Masters Of The Irish Guitar MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
Masters Of The Irish Guitar MP3 from Amazon.com
Masters of the Irish Guitar CD from Amazon.co.uk
Masters Of The Irish Guitar MP3 from Amazon.co.uk
Masters of the Irish Guitar
Amazon Price: $17.98 (as of 12/25/2009)
Tracks:
- 1. Medley
2. NY Kirree Fo Sniaghtey
3. Boy In The Boat
4. Home By The Fire
5. Medley
6. Mrs. Waller
7. Medley
8. Medley
9. Lisa's Brook
10. Medley
11. De Bharr Na Gcnoc
12. Medley
13. Miss McDermott
14. Medley
15. On Abbey Hill
16. Northern Hills
Concert in Tel-Aviv - Reel Set
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Danú Links
- Danú's official website
- Information about the band, its members, photos, tour dates, the albums and DVD.
- Donal Clancy's website
- More information on Danú's master guitarist.
- Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh's website
- More information about Danú's lead singer and her solo album.
- Home page of LiveIreland.com
- LiveIreland.com is an Internet radio station that broadcasts traditional Irish music 24 hours a day. On weekday evenings there are often live DJs in the studio who can be seen on the site's webcam. Louise Molony, who does a show from 7:30 to 8:30 Dublin time on Wednesdays, chose to present a short talk about Danú the same day I was getting this lens ready to publish.
- Danú Video Showcase
- Watch your own Danú mini-concert!
- Celtic Music Lenses by MobyD
- A lens to help you find other Celtic Music lenses I've made.
Share your thoughts on Danú
Have you heard Danú or seen them perform?
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Reply
- fanfreluche fanfreluche Jun 7, 2009 @ 12:38 pm
- I think it's great! I discovered a new group. Thank you for the introduction.
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Reply
- GypsyOwl GypsyOwl Sep 22, 2008 @ 3:02 pm
- This is my first time to hear Danu. I am delighted! Thank you for your Celtic Series. :D
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by MobyD
I'm very interested in Celtic music and have created a series of lenses about performers. See Celtic Music: Lenses (named Lens of the Day on March 16,... (more)
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