Altan

Altan is celebrating 40 years on the road! After four decades, Altan remains at the forefront of traditional Irish music, blending the raw energy of their native Donegal fiddle style with a rare melodic sensibility. To coincide with this tremendous milestone, they have planned special celebratory concerts in Ireland and abroad, inviting special guests to join them. Their latest album ‘Donegal’ was released in 2024 by Nashville-based Compass Records, to widespread positive reviews.

Altan has always been regarded as tradition bearers, bringing their native Donegal music and songs to a wider public, keeping true to their roots while exploring modern arrangements and textures to entice new followers. This integrity in their music has placed them in high esteem by their peers; they are regarded as one of the most popular Irish traditional bands of all time. Additionally, they were the first-ever Irish traditional band to

be signed to a major record label, Virgin Records in 1995.

The band has its original core members: founding member, lead singer and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, original members Ciaran Curran on bouzouki and Mark Kelly on guitar. Accordion player, Martin Tourish has been recording and touring with the band now for over 15 years. The latest addition to Altan’s lineup is the wonderful young fiddler and singer, Clare Friel, who is steeped in the tradition of her Donegal ancestors!

Altan evolved from Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her late husband, Belfast flute player, Frankie Kennedy playing duets, first at folk clubs and smaller festivals in Ireland an on to the world-wide stage. Altan has brought their native music to renowned venues like Carnagie Hall NY, the Sydney Opera House, Dublin’s National Concert Hall, Glastonbury Festival, Tradfest Temple Bar in Dublin, and to Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany.

They have shared their musicianship with The Chieftains, Dolly Parton, Ricky Skaggs, John Prine, and more.

A cornerstone of traditional Irish music, Altan’s sound continues to resonate across the world. As they enter their fifth decade, their commitment to Donegal’s musical heritage ensures that their influence will endure for generations to come.