Gael-Linn Records
Encyclopedia
Gael Linn Records is an Irish record label, run by the Irish language
promotion organisation Gael Linn
.
Gael Linn released records by many of the world's most renowned Gaelic and Irish Traditional musicians known today. They became one of the leading Irish Traditional and folk record labels after the release of Skara Brae
's self-titled album, the single from that album also containing Clannad
tracks from their own début album on the other side. Clannad was questionably their most popular act until the band's fame brought them to the attention of RCA
in 1982. The members of Skara Brae have all released solo/duet albums under Gael Linn and have each become four of the most renowned musicians in the world: Maighréad
& Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill
and Altan's Daithí Sproule
.
Gael Linn Records have issued numerous historic recordings by the likes of Michael Coleman
, Seán Ryan
, Ceoltóirí Chualann
and Seán Ó Riada
whose prolific 'Mise Éire
' was released under the label.
Their roster also includes Andy Irvine
, Paul Brady
, The Bothy Band
, De Dannan
, Dolores Keane
, Nóirín Ní Riain
, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and countless other prolific artists. Several of the recordings have been licensed to be reissued on the Green Linnet
label. According to the Gael-Linn web site, the "Gael Linn record label was established in 1956 to provide an outlet for recordings of sean-nós singing and traditional music."
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
promotion organisation Gael Linn
Gael Linn
Gael Linn is an organization devoted to the Irish language and arts.It is a non-governmental, non-profit organization, founded in 1953 to foster the Irish language and promote artistic events. On the business side, they run the Gael-Linn Records record label, which is partly funded by the Irish...
.
Gael Linn released records by many of the world's most renowned Gaelic and Irish Traditional musicians known today. They became one of the leading Irish Traditional and folk record labels after the release of Skara Brae
Skara Brae (band)
Skara Brae were an Irish traditional music group from Kells, County Meath with origins in Ranafast , County Donegal. The group consisted of three siblings, Micheal O Domhnaill, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, and Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill, with Dáithí Sproule from Derry...
's self-titled album, the single from that album also containing Clannad
Clannad
Clannad are an Irish musical group, from Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal. Their music has been variously described as bordering on folk and folk rock, Irish, Celtic and New Age, often incorporating elements of an even broader spectrum of smooth jazz and Gregorian chant...
tracks from their own début album on the other side. Clannad was questionably their most popular act until the band's fame brought them to the attention of RCA
RCA Records
RCA Records is one of the flagship labels of Sony Music Entertainment. The RCA initials stand for Radio Corporation of America , which was the parent corporation from 1929 to 1985 and a partner from 1985 to 1986.RCA's Canadian unit is Sony's oldest label...
in 1982. The members of Skara Brae have all released solo/duet albums under Gael Linn and have each become four of the most renowned musicians in the world: Maighréad
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill
Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer from Kells, County Meath. Known for her work with the short-lived, but very highly regarded Skara Brae and her collaborations with sister Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, as well as other traditional musicians...
& Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill is an Irish traditional singer, pianist, and composer, considered one of the most influential female vocalists in the history of Irish music. She is famed for her work with traditional Irish groups such as Skara Brae, The Bothy Band, Relativity, Touchstone, and Nightnoise.-...
and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill was an Irish singer, guitarist, and composer, who was a major influence on Irish traditional music in the second half of the twentieth century...
and Altan's Daithí Sproule
Dáithí Sproule
Dáithí Sproule is a guitarist and singer of traditional Irish music from Derry, Northern Ireland. His niece is the singer songwriter Claire Sproule.-Biography:...
.
Gael Linn Records have issued numerous historic recordings by the likes of Michael Coleman
Michael Coleman (musician)
-Early years:Michael Coleman was born in Knockgrania, in the rural Killavil district, near Ballymote, County Sligo, Ireland. His father, James Coleman, was from Banada in County Roscommon, and a respected flute player...
, Seán Ryan
Seán Ryan (Irish fiddler)
Seán Ryan was a famous Irish master fiddler and whistler.Ryan was born at Nenagh, County Tipperary, Ireland. He won the Oireachtas in 1954, the Senior All Ireland Fiddle Championship in 1955 and 1956, and the All Ireland Duet Championship title with P.J. Moloney in 1956. Sean had 3 sisters and 6...
, Ceoltóirí Chualann
Ceoltóirí Chualann
Ceoltóirí Chualann was an Irish traditional band, led by Seán Ó Riada, which included many of the founding members of The Chieftains. Ceoltóirí is the Irish word for musicians, and Cualann is the name of an area just outside Dublin where Ó Riada lived...
and Seán Ó Riada
Seán Ó Riada
Seán Ó Riada , was a composer and perhaps the single most influential figure in the revival of Irish traditional music during the 1960s...
whose prolific 'Mise Éire
Mise Éire
Mise Éire is a 1912 Irish-language poem by the Irish poet and Republican revolutionary leader Patrick Pearse. In the poem, Pearse personifies Ireland as an old woman whose glory is past and who has been sold by her children. The poem inspired a 1959 film of the same name by George Morrison and a...
' was released under the label.
Their roster also includes Andy Irvine
Andy Irvine (musician)
Andrew Kennedy 'Andy' Irvine is a folk musician, singer, and songwriter, and a founding member of the popular band Planxty. He is an accomplished player of the mandolin, bouzouki, mandola, guitar-bouzouki, harmonica and hurdy-gurdy....
, Paul Brady
Paul Brady
Paul Joseph Brady is an Irish singer-songwriter, whose work straddles folk and pop. He was interested in a wide variety of music from an early age...
, The Bothy Band
The Bothy Band
The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band active during the late 1970s. It quickly gained a reputation as one of the most influential bands playing Irish traditional music...
, De Dannan
De Dannan
De Dannan was an Irish folk music group. They were formed by Frankie Gavin , Alec Finn , Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh and Charlie Piggott as a result of sessions in Hughes's Pub in An Spidéal, County Galway, subsequently inviting Dolores Keane to join the band...
, Dolores Keane
Dolores Keane
Dolores Keane is an Irish folk singer and occasional actress. She was a founding member of the successful group De Dannan, and has since embarked on a very successful solo career, establishing herself as one of the most loved interpreters of Irish song.-Background:Keane was born in a small village...
, Nóirín Ní Riain
Nóirín Ní Riain
Nóirín Ní Riain is an Irish singer, writer, teacher, theologian and an authority on Gregorian Chant . She is primarily known for spiritual songs, but also sings Celtic music, Sean-nós and Indian songs. Nóirín plays an Indian harmonium , Shruti box and Feadóg...
, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin and countless other prolific artists. Several of the recordings have been licensed to be reissued on the Green Linnet
Green Linnet Records
Green Linnet Records was an American independent record label that specialized in Celtic music. Founded by Lisa Null and Patrick Sky as Innisfree Records in 1973, the label was initially based in Null's house in New Canaan, Connecticut. In 1975, the label became Innisfree/Green Linnet and Wendy...
label. According to the Gael-Linn web site, the "Gael Linn record label was established in 1956 to provide an outlet for recordings of sean-nós singing and traditional music."