Lúnasa are internationally acknowledged as being the finest traditional Irish instrumental band of recent times. In October 1997, Ireland’s all-star quintet Lúnasa released their début CD Lúnasa, it became an immediate best-seller in Ireland, topping Hot Press’ folk charts and nominated one of the year’s top ten by the Irish Echo in the USA.
Since that auspicious beginning, Lúnasa has become one of the most sought-after bands on the international Celtic music scene, winning 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. One of the highlights of that the year was Lúnasa’s headlining appearance at Dublin’s National Concert Hall on 8th June. The concert was recorded by RTE Radio One for national and European broadcast.
2007 celebrated 10 years of Lúnasa. The BBC showed their support by filming their headlining show at Glasgow’s international jamboree, Celtic Connections – making Lúnasa the only band to have been filmed twice by the BBC at the event. The band also published their own book of tunes, Nótaí, compiled by band member Cillian Vallely.
Lúnasa’s most recent CD is “The Story So Far …”. This new CD encapsulates the band's musical journey. It includes remixed and remastered tracks from all 6 Lúnasa albums and expansive liner notes on the band’s history with photographs across the past 11 years.
2009 Update:
• The band recorded 5 tracks for Natalie Merchant’s forthcoming album
• Headline appearance at Celtic Connections, Glasgow including TV and Radio live sessions.
• Invitation to perform at The White House
• Touring in Ireland, UK, USA, Canada, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland, Belgium
A full list of news, tours and special performances can also be found at www.lunasa.ie
After you've finished here, you may like to hear this poem sung on myspace...
Poem 162 of 230, WalkaboutsVerse (please see my blog): TEES TO TYNE: FIRST IMPRESSIONS - SUMMER 2001
Where traditions are not so rare; Sea, country and works scent the air; A multitude of monuments, Planted tubs and patterned pavements.
The longish pedestrian malls; The remnants of defensive walls; Historic buildings are a gauge Of the respect for heritage.
Wheat, rape and pines in the fields; Estuaries guarded by shields; Long sandy beaches and wide scenes; Romantic-ruin go-betweens.
Rivers in parts licked by trees, Or fringed by boat clubs, wharfs, gantries, And crossed by practical delights - Varied spans, forming pleasing sights.
Fine churches headed at Durham; Football kits ad infinitum; Kept castles - one for study; Masonry behind masonry.
And, with moulding-works out that way, It’s somewhere for a longer stay..?
Hi Lunasa, Its been a while and we thought it was about time we updated you on what we've been up to. Our debut EP Little World is now available at our gigs and will soon be available from our myspace and facebook pages, you will also be able to download it from itunes, but we don't have a release date for this as yet. To celebrate the fact that we have now reached 25,000 plays on myspace, we are giving you a free MP3 of Rockabye Baby. All you have to do is send your email address to queen.elvis@yahoo.ie and we will send it to you. We have spent the last year rehearsing with a full band and are now ready to bring it on the road. You can get a look at us when we appear on Balcony TV this week with the full line up. We are currently taking bookings for gigs/concerts/festivals and can be contacted on the email above, or through our myspace and facebook pages. Thankyou for your continued support in what has been a great year for us! Best Wishes Caroline and Colin
Thanks for the add! What lovely music and talent – it makes a this Yank quite jealous. Seriously, thanks for bringing your beautiful music to a worldwide audience. All the best!
