Lúnasa

Since releasing their debut album in 1997, the all-star quintet Lúnasa have become one of the most acclaimed on the International Celtic music scene, redefining Irish music by going right to the heart of its rhythms.  The group’s inventive arrangements and bass-driven grooves are steering Irish music into surprising new territory while remaining true to their traditional roots.

Their debut album ‘Lúnasa’ became an immediate best-seller, topping Hot Press’ Folk charts and nominated one of the year’s top 10 by the Irish Echo - USA.   The band have won many awards including a nomination for Folk Album Of The Year in the BBC Radio 2 Awards and Best Traditional Album of 2005 in Irish Music Magazine.

Lúnasa’s sixth album Sé was released in 2006, a year which included a headlining appearance at Dublin’s National Concert Hall.  In 2007 on their 10th anniversary, the BBC honoured Lúnasa’s achievements filming their headlining show at Celtic Connections in Glasgow.  In 2008 Lúnasa released “The Story So Far …”, a CD which encapsulates the band's musical journey and includes remixed and remastered tracks from all 6 Lúnasa albums and expansive liner notes on the band’s history with photographs across the years.

Lunasa is a gathering of exceptional Irish musical talents.  The remarkable upright acoustic bass playing of ex-Waterboy Trevor Hutchinson, teamed with Paul Meehan’s percussive guitar seeks out the essential heartbeat of the great Irish melodies.  Fiddler Sean Smyth is an All-Ireland champion who has played with Donal Lunny's Coolfin; and Kevin Crawford, considered to be among the finest flutists in Ireland.  Uillean piper Cillian Vallely, of the talented Armagh musical dynasty completes this powerful dream team of Irish music.

"Irish music dream team" : Folk Roots - UK

“A decade of excellence” : Irish Music Magazine.

“The new Gods of Irish Music” : MOJO.

“The new Celtic royalty” : BOSTON GLOBE

“The best Irish instrumental band on the planet” : IRISH ECHO – USA

Video

Morning Nightcap

Celtic Connections 2009

Shrewsbury 2008

Boy in the Boat

Set Up Specification

Download Specification here

Official Website

www.lunasa.ie

Band Biogs

Seán Smyth – Fiddles and Whistles

Born in Straide, County Mayo, Sean is an All-Ireland champion on both fiddle and whistle.   His 1993 solo debut, ‘The Blue Fiddle’, was named one of the years ten best albums by The Irish Echo.  Sean appears on several recordings including ‘Ceol Tigh Neachtain’, ‘Music at Matt Molloy's’, Brendan O'Regan's ‘A Wind of Change’, Alan Kelly's ‘Out of the Blue’ and ‘Mosaic’, and Dónal Lunny's ‘Coolfin’.

Kevin Crawford – Flutes and Whistles

Born in Birmingham – UK, Kevins early life was one long journey into Irish music and Co. Clare, to where he eventually moved while in his 20’s.  He was a member of Moving Cloud, the Clare-based band who recorded such critically-acclaimed albums as Moving Cloud and Foxglove, and he also recorded with Grianán, Raise The Rafters, Joe Derrane and Sean Tyrrell and appears on the 1994 recording ‘The Sanctuary Sessions’.  A virtuoso flute player, Kevin has recorded two solo albums, ‘‘D’Flute Album’ and ‘In Good Company’.

Trevor Hutchinson – Stand-up Bass

From Cookstown, County Tyrone, Trevor played bass with the Waterboys from 1986 to 1991, recording Fisherman’s Blues (1988) and Room to Roam (1990), the latter featuring Sharon Shannon.  Later he made three albums with the Sharon Shannon Band: 1991’s ‘Sharon Shannon’, 1994’s ‘Out the Gap’, and 1997’s ‘Each Little Thing’.   A much-in-demand musician, Trevor has also recorded with Moving Cloud, Altan’s Dermot Byrne, Eric Bibb, Máire Breatnach, and Eileen Ivers of Riverdance fame.

Cillian Vallely – Uilleann Pipes and Whistles

A gifted Armagh uilleann pipes and low whistle player, Cillian comes from a renowned and talented musical dynasty.  He has spent most of the recent past touring in the US, performing with bands such as New York-based Whirligig, Paddy O’Brien’s Chulrua and with Clare fiddler Seamus Connolly.   Cillian was featured as uilleann pipes soloist in the Broadway production of ’Riverdance’ and toured with Tim O’Brien in ‘The Crossing’.  He and his brother Niall recorded the album ‘Callan Bridge’.

Paul Meehan – Acoustic Guitar

Born in Manchester – UK, Paul moved to Armagh at an early age.  He was a member of the bands Buille and North Cregg - recording 3 albums with the latter.  He was a founding member of the group Na Dorsa and recorded the much acclaimed ‘The Wild Music of the Gaels’.  Paul later joined the Karan Casey band and recorded on two albums ‘Distant Shore’ and ‘Chasing the Sun’.   He has performed with: Altan, At the Racket, Liz Carroll, The Michael McGoldrick Trio, Tommy Peoples, Tededor, The Alan Kelly band and Paddy Keenan.