Two years after the initial release of Donegal, an album where Altan pays homage to County Donegal’s rich musical heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and vibrant culture comes this limited-edition LP pressing on classic black vinyl. The music’s authenticity and allure transport listeners to a bygone era in rural Ireland while forging a connection between the past and the present.

"Altan is arguably the most iconic band working in traditional Irish music today. For the past 35 years, they have been bringing the music of their native County Donegal to the world stage." — The Journal Of Music

Released on CD and digitally in March of 2024, Donegal traces its spirit back to the meeting of Belfast-born flutist Frankie Kennedy and Donegal fiddler and singer Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh in the heart of the Donegal Gaeltacht. What began as a shared love of the region’s distinctive repertoire grew into a lifelong partnership and a mission to bring the music of Donegal to audiences far beyond its windswept coast.

Across ten tracks, Donegal captures the sound Altan have carried around the world for decades. Irish-language ballads sit beside lively instrumental passages, anchored by the band’s trademark twin fiddles and a sense of rhythm that reflects the pulse of life in rural Ireland. The performances feel steeped in tradition while remaining immediate and alive, drawing a direct line between generations of players who have kept these melodies moving forward.

Ní Mhaonaigh’s voice remains central to the album’s character, giving songs like “Liostáil mé le Sáirsint” and “The Barley And The Rye” their emotional center. Fiddler Clare Friel adds both harmony and spark, particularly on pieces like “Faoiseamh a Gheobhadsa,” where the interplay between the two players brings a surge of energy to the arrangement.

Accordionist Martin Tourish contributes compositions including “The House Of Baoithín,” a tune that nods to the ancient roots of Donegal’s musical language while sounding completely at home alongside the traditional material. The ensemble work of guitarist Dáithí Sproule, bassist Mark Kelly, and bouzouki player Ciarán Curran gives the album its steady backbone, while guests Jim Higgins, Steve Cooney, and Graham Henderson add further color to the sessions.

With Donegal, Altan continue the work Kennedy and Ní Mhaonaigh began decades ago, carrying the songs and spirit of their home region onto the global stage. The result is a record that honors the past while keeping these melodies alive for the next generation of listeners.