WMI: Altan

The spirit and sound of Altan comes from the deep and rich musical tradition of their native County Donegal in Ireland. The band has been a driving force in the rising popularity of Celtic music around the world for over 35 years. The acoustic ensemble features traditional Irish instrumentation from lead singer and fiddler Mairéad Ní Mhaoniagh, Martin Tourish on button accordion and melodeon, bouzouki player Ciarán Curran, and Dáithí Sproule - one of the pioneers of traditional Irish guitar. Altan is renowned for heartwarming, dynamic live performances that range from touching ballads to hard-hitting reels and jigs. They have also explored the connection between Irish folk and American bluegrass music, which has led to collaborations with Country greats including such as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Ricky Scaggs, and Dolly Parton. In 2017, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh was awarded the TG4 Gradaim Ceoil - the highest honor a traditional musician can receive in Ireland.