Overview
Altan is celebrating forty years on the road, bringing their native music to world renowned stages such as Carnagie Hall, the Sydney Opera House, Dublin’s National Concert Hall as well as to the famous Glastonbury Festival, Tradfest Temple Bar in Dublin, and Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany. Building on this history, their latest album ‘Donegal’ was released in 2024 (Compass Records) and has received widespread positive reviews. Altan has long been at the forefront of traditional Irish music, blending the raw energy of their native Donegal-fiddle style with a rare, melodic sensibility. Being the first-ever Irish traditional band signed to a major record label, Virgin Records in 1995, The Boston Globe named them “The hottest group in the Celtic realm”.
The band’s original members, lead singer and fiddler, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciaran Curran on bouzouki and Mark Kelly on guitar are accompanied by accordion player Martin Tourish, and their newest member, fiddler and singer, Clare Friel.
Altan has shared their music and musicianship with The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, John Prine, and more. Embarking on their fifth decade, their commitment to Donegal’s musical heritage ensures that it will endure for generations to come.
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