Danú
Encyclopedia
Danú is an Irish
traditional music band.
The members of Danú met in Waterford
in Southeastern Ireland in 1994. After performing in the Festival Interceltique de Lorient
in 2005, the then thrown-together group decided to consolidate as a band.
They are devoted to their traditional roots, but unafraid to experiment with arrangement, with critics commenting that their music exudes energy and empathy. Their second album, Think Before You Think (2000) was voted Best Overall Traditional Act by Dublin's magazine Irish Music
. They have been voted Best Traditional Group twice in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
, the only band to achieve such a feat. Their version of Co. Down (written by Tommy Sands) won Best Traditional Song in the same awards.
is the lead singer, and plays flute and whistle with the band. She sings in both English and Irish, with her choice of song varying in style between folk and Sean Nós
traditions. She replaced earlier singer Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, a tenor who left to finish his education, and who had in turn replaced Cárthach Mac Craith, who sang in the earliest incarnation of the band.
Tom Doorley is the flute-player, and often acts as the spokesman for the band on stage. He has also played live with Men At Work
, playing their hit single Down Under
. He is a story-teller and works as a teacher and lives in Dublin.
Dónal Clancy is the guitar player for the band. He was one of the original members, and after several years pursuing a career with Solas and touring with his father, balladeer Liam Clancy
(of Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem) Dónal returned to Danú. During his absence he was replaced by guitar player Noel Ryan
.
Oisín Mc Auley, a previous member of Stockton's Wing
, plays four- and five-string fiddle with Danú. He has recently released a solo album of fiddle music. Earlier fiddle players for Danú are Jesse Smith and Daire Bracken. Oisín now lives in Holliston, Massachusetts
, USA.
Éamon Doorley plays bouzouki
and fiddle, and is the younger brother of Tom Doorley. His bouzouki playing has a strong emphasis on countermelody. He currently collaborates with his wife Julie Fowlis
, playing mainly Scottish Gaelic music and song. Donnchadh Gough plays both bodhran
and uillean pipes in Danú, and Benny McCarthy (b 1975) plays box (button accordion).
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
traditional music band.
The members of Danú met in Waterford
Waterford
Waterford is a city in the South-East Region of Ireland. It is the oldest city in the country and fifth largest by population. Waterford City Council is the local government authority for the city and its immediate hinterland...
in Southeastern Ireland in 1994. After performing in the Festival Interceltique de Lorient
Festival Interceltique de Lorient
The Festival Interceltique de Lorient or Gouelioù Etrekeltiek An Oriant was founded in Lorient, Brittany in 1971 by Polig Montjarret...
in 2005, the then thrown-together group decided to consolidate as a band.
They are devoted to their traditional roots, but unafraid to experiment with arrangement, with critics commenting that their music exudes energy and empathy. Their second album, Think Before You Think (2000) was voted Best Overall Traditional Act by Dublin's magazine Irish Music
Irish Music (magazine)
Irish Music is a monthly music magazine covering folk and traditional Irish music....
. They have been voted Best Traditional Group twice in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards
The BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards celebrate outstanding achievement during the previous year within the field of folk music. The awards have been given annually since 2000 by British radio station BBC Radio 2....
, the only band to achieve such a feat. Their version of Co. Down (written by Tommy Sands) won Best Traditional Song in the same awards.
Members
Muireann Nic AmhlaoibhMuireann Nic Amhlaoibh
Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is a musician and singer from County Kerry, Ireland. She is the lead singer from the traditional music group Danú. Her name is pronounced MWI-ren Nick OWL-eve.-Biography:...
is the lead singer, and plays flute and whistle with the band. She sings in both English and Irish, with her choice of song varying in style between folk and Sean Nós
Sean Nós
Sean Nós refers to "old style" Irish song and dance, which are discussed under:* Sean-nós song, Irish traditional song.* Sean-nós dance, Irish traditional dance.* Sean-nós dance in America, Irish traditional singing and dancing in the "old style" in America...
traditions. She replaced earlier singer Ciarán Ó Gealbháin, a tenor who left to finish his education, and who had in turn replaced Cárthach Mac Craith, who sang in the earliest incarnation of the band.
Tom Doorley is the flute-player, and often acts as the spokesman for the band on stage. He has also played live with Men At Work
Men at Work
Men at Work are an Australian rock band who achieved international success in the 1980s. They are the only Australian artists to have a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United States . They achieved the same distinction of a simultaneous #1 album and #1 single in the United Kingdom...
, playing their hit single Down Under
Down Under (song)
"Down Under" is a pop song recorded by Men at Work for their debut album Business as Usual . The song went to #1 on American, British, Canadian and Australian charts....
. He is a story-teller and works as a teacher and lives in Dublin.
Dónal Clancy is the guitar player for the band. He was one of the original members, and after several years pursuing a career with Solas and touring with his father, balladeer Liam Clancy
Liam Clancy
William "Liam" Clancy was an Irish folk singer and actor from Carrick-on-Suir, County Tipperary. He was the youngest and last surviving member of performing group The Clancy Brothers. The group were regarded as Ireland's first pop stars...
(of Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem) Dónal returned to Danú. During his absence he was replaced by guitar player Noel Ryan
Noel Ryan
Noel Philip Ryan was an Australian freestyle swimmer who competed in the 1932 Summer Olympics and the 1930 and 1934 British Empire Games.He was born in Manly, New South Wales died in Sydney....
.
Oisín Mc Auley, a previous member of Stockton's Wing
Stockton's Wing
Stockton's Wing is an Irish band formed in 1977 by four All-Ireland champion musicians - Paul Roche flute/whistle, Maurice Lennon fiddle, Tommy Hayes bodhran, and Kieran Hanrahan banjo/mandolin, along with Tony Callinan on guitar and vocals.-Name:...
, plays four- and five-string fiddle with Danú. He has recently released a solo album of fiddle music. Earlier fiddle players for Danú are Jesse Smith and Daire Bracken. Oisín now lives in Holliston, Massachusetts
Holliston, Massachusetts
Holliston is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States in the Greater Boston area. The population was 13,547 at the 2010 census. It is part of the region known as MetroWest. Holliston is the only town in Middlesex County that borders both Norfolk and Worcester...
, USA.
Éamon Doorley plays bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
and fiddle, and is the younger brother of Tom Doorley. His bouzouki playing has a strong emphasis on countermelody. He currently collaborates with his wife Julie Fowlis
Julie Fowlis
Julie Fowlis is a Scottish folk singer and multi-instrumentalist who sings primarily in Scottish Gaelic.-Musical career:Fowlis grew up in North Uist, an island in the Outer Hebrides, in a Gaelic-speaking community, and has been involved in singing, piping and dancing since she was a child.She is a...
, playing mainly Scottish Gaelic music and song. Donnchadh Gough plays both bodhran
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
and uillean pipes in Danú, and Benny McCarthy (b 1975) plays box (button accordion).
Discography
- Danú (1997)
- Think Before You Think (2000)
- All Things Considered (2002)
- The Road Less Travelled (2003)
- Up In The Air (2004)
- When All Is Said and Done (2005)
- One Night Stand (Danú DVD) (2005)
- DualDual (album)Dual is an album by four acclaimed Irish and Scottish musicians: Éamonn Doorley, Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh , Julie Fowlis and Ross Martin....
(2008 - Éamonn and Muireann with Julie Fowlis and Ross Martin) - Seanchas (2010)