Altan

Ireland
http://www.altan.ie/

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No Irish traditional band in the last dozen years has had a wider impact on audiences and music lovers throughout the world than Altan with their exquisitely produced award-winning recordings, ranging dynamically from the most sensitive and touching old Irish songs all the way to hard hitting reels and jigs, and with their heartwarming, dynamic live performances.

Throughout, there has been the unwavering commitment of the band to bringing the beauty of traditional music, particularly that of the Donegal fiddlers and singers, to contemporary audiences in a way that brings out all its qualities and destroys none. In fact, Altan have always believed that Irish traditional music is a modern music in every sense and its growing influence and popularity have proved them right.

Loch Altan is situated in north-western Donegal. The lake lies in the shadow of Errigal and Musckish - two of the main mountains in the Derryveagh Range that spread north-east towards the Caledonian mountains in Scotland. This is a very appropriate background to the band Altan, as this picturesque area is the source and inspiration for their music and song.

• Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh – fiddle, vocal
• Dermot Thomas Byrne – accordion
• David Francis Sproule a.k.a. Dáithí Sproule – guitar, vocal
• Ciaran Michael Tourish – fiddle, whistle, vocal
• Kieran Curran a.k.a. Ciaran Curran – bouzouki, mandolin