Tír na nÓg (band): Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> |
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject Musicians --> |
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'''Tír na nÓg''' are an Irish [[Folk music|folk]] |
'''Tír na nÓg''' are an Irish [[Folk music|folk]] duo formed in [[Dublin]], Ireland, in 1969 by [[Leo O'Kelly]] and [[Sonny Condell]].<ref name="LarkinGE">{{cite book|title=[[Encyclopedia of Popular Music|The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music]]|editor=[[Colin Larkin (writer)|Colin Larkin]]|publisher=[[Guinness Publishing]]|date=1992|edition=First|isbn=0-85112-939-0|page=2508}}</ref> They are often considered one of the first [[progressive folk music|progressive folk]] bands with other artists like [[Nick Drake]] or groups like [[Pentangle (band)|Pentangle]].<ref name="shindig47">{{cite news |last=Blaney |first=John |date=2015-04-16 |title=Standing on the shoulders of giants |url= |work=[[Shindig! (magazine)|Shindig! Magazine]]|issue=47|pages=32–35}}</ref> Their music mainly consists of their own compositions, based on strong [[Celtic music|Celtic]] roots and typically featuring intricate acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. In their early years, they toured the folk clubs of the United Kingdom or internationally as a support act for several rock bands. Today, they sporadically give concerts, especially in Ireland. |
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From 1971 to 1973, Tír na nÓg made three studio albums which were highly acclaimed by critics but did not obtain commercial success.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> No recording of live performances had been officially released until 2000, with the publication of ''[[Hibernian (album)|Hibernian]]''. A compilation of some of their live tracks recorded between 1972 and 1973 for |
From 1971 to 1973, Tír na nÓg made three studio albums which were highly acclaimed by critics but did not obtain commercial success.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> No recording of live performances had been officially released until 2000, with the publication of ''[[Hibernian (album)|Hibernian]]''. A compilation of some of their live tracks recorded between 1972 and 1973 for [[John Peel|John Peel's radio show]] was also published one year later. |
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==Formation of the band== |
==Formation of the band== |
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Sonny Condell came from [[Newtownmountkennedy]] |
Sonny Condell came from [[Newtownmountkennedy]] in the [[Wicklow]] Hills. His early musical influences were mainly classical music. Before Tír na nÓg were formed, he played with cousin John Roberts as Tramcarr 88.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> They released one single before the break-up of the band. |
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Leo O'Kelly came from [[Carlow]]. He was influenced by heavy rock, including [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[The Velvet Underground]] and [[The Doors]]. Before the formation of Tír na nÓg he played in several bands starting with local Carlow beat group The Word before joining The Tropical Showband and [[Emmet Spiceland]], with whom he toured. |
Leo O'Kelly came from [[Carlow]]. He was influenced by heavy rock, including [[Jimi Hendrix]], [[The Velvet Underground]] and [[The Doors]]. Before the formation of Tír na nÓg he played in several bands starting with local Carlow beat group The Word before joining The Tropical Showband and [[Emmet Spiceland]], with whom he toured. |
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O'Kelly and Condell met in [[Dublin]] in 1969 and discovered a shared ambition to be singer-songwriters. They started playing together, taking the name [[Tír na nÓg]] from [[Celtic mythology]], and writing a song of the same name, which recounts the legend of Tír na nÓg. They travelled to London and began touring the folk clubs, and secured a recording deal with [[Chrysalis Records]].<ref name="LarkinGE"/> |
O'Kelly and Condell met in [[Dublin]] in 1969 and discovered a shared ambition to be singer-songwriters. They started playing together, taking the name [[Tír na nÓg]] from [[Celtic mythology]], and writing a song of the same name, which recounts the legend of Tír na nÓg. They travelled to London and began touring the folk clubs, and secured a recording deal with [[Chrysalis Records]].<ref name="LarkinGE"/><ref name="recordcollector">{{cite news |last=Peacock |first=Tim |date=January 24, 2016 |title=Forever Youthful |url=https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/forever-youthful |url-status=live |work=[[Record Collector]]|issue=450 |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116110338/https://recordcollectormag.com/articles/forever-youthful |archive-date=November 16, 2023 |access-date=November 16, 2023}}</ref><ref name="recordmirroroct70">{{cite news|author=<!--not stated--> |title=Nog It To Me, Baby |url= |work=[[Record Mirror]]|issue= |date=October 31, 1970|publisher=|page=16}}</ref> |
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==1971–1974: performing and recording== |
==1971–1974: performing and recording== |
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[[Image:Tirnanogband.jpg|upright|right|thumb|Tír na nÓg in 1972. From left to right: Leo O'Kelly, Sonny Condell]] |
[[Image:Tirnanogband.jpg|upright|right|thumb|Tír na nÓg in 1972. From left to right: Leo O'Kelly, Sonny Condell]] |
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Tír na nÓg made three studio albums between 1971 and 1973. The first was called ''[[Tír na nÓg (Tír na nÓg album)|Tír na nÓg]]'',<ref name="LarkinGE"/> and was produced by [[Bill Leader]]. It achieved ''[[Melody Maker]]'' 'Album of The Month' status on its release |
Tír na nÓg made three studio albums between 1971 and 1973. The first was called ''[[Tír na nÓg (Tír na nÓg album)|Tír na nÓg]]'',<ref name="LarkinGE"/> and was produced by [[Bill Leader]]. It achieved ''[[Melody Maker]]'' 'Album of The Month' status on its release in May 1971. It featured mainly their own songs, strongly rooted in the Celtic tradition, but also influenced by eastern music. Condell and O'Kelly played acoustic guitars and occasional [[bongo drum|bongos]] and other percussion instruments. Their guitar work was intricate and complex, leading to their being compared to bands such as [[The Incredible String Band]] and [[Pentangle (band)|Pentangle]]. However, their style was quite distinctive. Often, they would use different [[open tuning]]s for their two guitars. |
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Their second album ''[[A Tear and a Smile (Tír na nÓg album)|A Tear and a Smile]]'' was released in 1972,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> and produced by [[Tony Cox (record producer)| |
Their second album ''[[A Tear and a Smile (Tír na nÓg album)|A Tear and a Smile]]'' was released in 1972,<ref name="LarkinGE"/> and produced by [[Tony Cox (record producer)|Tony Cox]]. This featured similar material to the first album. However, with their third album ''[[Strong in the Sun]]'' (released in 1973), produced by [[Procol Harum]] organist [[Matthew Fisher (musician)|Matthew Fisher]] who also played keyboards on the album, they introduced more electric instruments and drums.<ref name="LarkinGE"/> From Alan Robinson's 2004 liner notes to BGO's reissue of this and the previous album on one CD: "..Certainly, of the three original Tír na nÓg albums, ''Strong in the Sun'' is by far the most conventional, most mainstream, although that's not to say that Fisher had ironed out all of the band's entertainingly whimsical rough edges. Fisher gave a bit of a more clearly-defined shape and a greater depth to their sound, neatly framing the duo's contrasting vocal styles." Robinson also remarked that this high quality album didn't "reverse the duo's sales fortunes" and that it opened with "that rarest of things", a [[Nick Drake]] cover, "Free Ride". |
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As well as the folk club circuit, Tír na nÓg also toured internationally, as a support act for various rock bands, including [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], [[Procol Harum]], [[The Who]] |
As well as the folk club circuit, Tír na nÓg also toured internationally, as a support act for various rock bands, including [[Jethro Tull (band)|Jethro Tull]], [[Procol Harum]], [[The Who]], [[Emerson, Lake & Palmer]] or [[Chicago (band)|Chicago]].<ref name="recordmirroroct70"/><ref name="recordmirrorsep71">{{cite news |last=Altham |first=Keith |title=Irish Together |work=[[Record Mirror]]|issue= |date=September 18, 1971|url=https://www.rocksbackpages.com/Library/Article/tir-na-nog |page=18|access-date=2023-12-04}}</ref> In July 1974, the British music magazine, ''[[NME]]'', reported that the band was to play their final concert, in [[Dublin]] on 27 July that year.<ref name="NME Rock 'N' Roll Years">{{cite book |
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| first= John |
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| location= London |
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| page= 266 |
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| id= CN 5585}}</ref> |
| id= CN 5585}}</ref> |
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The radio presenter, [[John Peel]], promoted their music and they performed a number of live sessions for the BBC. |
The radio presenter, [[John Peel]], promoted their music and they performed a number of live sessions for the BBC. |
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After the break-up of Tír na nÓg in 1974, they both returned to Ireland to pursue solo careers. Condell recorded a solo album called ''[[Camouflage (Sonny Condell album)|Camouflage]]'' in 1977, and went on to form the band [[Scullion (group)|Scullion]] with Philip King, Greg Boland and Jimmy O'Brien Moran. O'Kelly pursued a career as a producer and has also released solo albums. |
After the break-up of Tír na nÓg in 1974, they both returned to Ireland to pursue solo careers. Condell recorded a solo album called ''[[Camouflage (Sonny Condell album)|Camouflage]]'' in 1977, and went on to form the band [[Scullion (group)|Scullion]] with Philip King, Greg Boland and Jimmy O'Brien Moran. O'Kelly pursued a career as a producer and has also released solo albums. |
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Tír na nÓg reformed in 1985, releasing the single "[[Love Is Like a Violin]]", and have toured sporadically since then. Four albums – from various early and later recording dates – have followed: In 1999, ''In The Morning'', an album of 15 previously unreleased demos from April 1970 recorded in Dublin, Ireland, was issued by the Kissing Spell record label. ''[[Hibernian (album)|Hibernian]]'', released in 2000, is a September 1995 live performance from Birmingham, UK, and ''[[Spotlight (Tír na nÓg album)|Spotlight]]'' in 2001, contains original John Peel BBC radio sessions from 1972/1973. In 2010, they launched a new live album, ''[[Live at Sirius]]'', recorded at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, |
Tír na nÓg reformed in 1985, releasing the single "[[Love Is Like a Violin]]", and have toured sporadically since then. Four albums – from various early and later recording dates – have followed: In 1999, ''In The Morning'', an album of 15 previously unreleased demos from April 1970 recorded in Dublin, Ireland, was issued by the Kissing Spell record label. ''[[Hibernian (album)|Hibernian]]'', released in 2000, is a September 1995 live performance from Birmingham, UK, and ''[[Spotlight (Tír na nÓg album)|Spotlight]]'' in 2001, contains original John Peel BBC radio sessions from 1972/1973. In 2010, they launched a new live album, ''[[Live at Sirius]]'', recorded at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, County Cork on 21/22 August 2009. |
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In 2014, they released a four-track, 7-inch vinyl EP on [[Fruits de Mer Records]]. Alongside three originals, the lead track is a cover of [[The Silver Apples]]' "I Have Known Love". |
In 2014, they released ''I Have Known Love'', a four-track, 7-inch vinyl EP on [[Fruits de Mer Records]] in anticipation of their next studio album to be released the following year. Alongside three originals, the lead track is a cover of [[The Silver Apples]]' "I Have Known Love". |
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On 24 May 2015, Tír na nÓg released ''[[The Dark Dance]]'', their first studio album since 1973.<ref name="recordcollector"/><ref name="goldmine2014">{{cite news |last=Thompson |first=Dave |date=2014-05-21 |title=Wide awake in the Land of Dreams. Time to turn on to Tír na nÓg |url=https://www.goldminemag.com/artist-news/wide-awake-land-dreams-time-turn-tir-na-nog |url-status=live |work=[[Goldmine (magazine)|Goldmine]] |location= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204120231/https://www.goldminemag.com/artist-news/wide-awake-land-dreams-time-turn-tir-na-nog |archive-date=2023-12-04 |access-date=2023-12-04}}</ref> The following year, Mega Dodo records released the live LP ''Live at the Half Moon''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Tír Na nÓg: Live at the Half Moon |url=https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2016/05/tir-na-nog-live-half-moon/ |url-status=live|archive-date=November 16, 2023| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116104342/https://www.folkradio.co.uk/2016/05/tir-na-nog-live-half-moon/|last=Kidman|first=David |date=May 31, 2016 |website=[[Folk Radio UK]] |access-date=November 16, 2023}}</ref> |
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On 24 May 2015, Tír na nÓg released their first studio album since 1973, ''[[The Dark Dance]]''. The following year, Mega Dodo records released a Tir na nÓg live LP. |
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==Discography== |
==Discography== |
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===Studio=== |
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* ''[[Tír na nÓg (Tír na nÓg album)|Tír na nÓg]]'' (1971) |
* ''[[Tír na nÓg (Tír na nÓg album)|Tír na nÓg]]'' (1971) |
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* ''[[A Tear and a Smile (Tír na nÓg album)|A Tear and a Smile]]'' (1972) |
* ''[[A Tear and a Smile (Tír na nÓg album)|A Tear and a Smile]]'' (1972) |
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* ''[[Strong in the Sun]]'' (1973) |
* ''[[Strong in the Sun]]'' (1973) |
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* ''In the Morning'' (1999) |
* ''In the Morning'' (1999) <small>(previously unreleased demos)</small> |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
* ''[[The Dark Dance]]'' (2015) |
* ''[[The Dark Dance]]'' (2015) |
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===Live=== |
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⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
⚫ | |||
* ''Live at the Half Moon'' (2016) |
* ''Live at the Half Moon'' (2016) |
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* ''Live 1970-'71'' (2022) |
* ''Live 1970-'71'' (2022) |
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* ''Love Lost - Live In Bremen 1973'' (2023) |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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* [http://www.tirnanog-progfolk.com/ Tír na nÓg's website] |
* [http://www.tirnanog-progfolk.com/ Tír na nÓg's website] |
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* [http://www.sonnycondell.com/ Sonny Condell's website] |
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* [http://www.leookelly.ie/ Leo O'Kelly's website] |
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* [https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=1EB1665762E1F66E Tír na nÓg in concert on February 17, 2007 at the Cherry Tree, Dublin] |
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{{Tír na nÓg}} |
{{Tír na nÓg}} |
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Tir Na Nog}} |
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tir Na Nog}} |
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[[Category:Irish folk musical groups]] |
[[Category:Irish folk musical groups]] |
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[[Category:Irish folk rock groups]] |
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[[Category:Progressive folk groups]] |
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[[Category:Irish progressive rock groups]] |
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[[Category:Musical groups from Dublin (city)]] |
[[Category:Musical groups from Dublin (city)]] |
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[[Category:Chrysalis Records artists]] |
[[Category:Chrysalis Records artists]] |
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[[Category:Fruits de Mer Records artists]] |
Revision as of 07:41, 5 December 2023
This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2009) |
Tír na nÓg | |
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Background information | |
Origin | Dublin, Ireland |
Genres | Folk, progressive folk, progressive rock |
Years active | 1969–1974, 1985–present (one-time reunions: 1975, 1976) |
Labels | Chrysalis, Edsel, Beat Goes On, Erewhon, HTD, Talking Elephant, Hux, Fruits de Mer |
Members | Sonny Condell Leo O'Kelly |
Website | www.tirnanog-progfolk.com |
Tír na nÓg are an Irish folk duo formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 by Leo O'Kelly and Sonny Condell.[1] They are often considered one of the first progressive folk bands with other artists like Nick Drake or groups like Pentangle.[2] Their music mainly consists of their own compositions, based on strong Celtic roots and typically featuring intricate acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. In their early years, they toured the folk clubs of the United Kingdom or internationally as a support act for several rock bands. Today, they sporadically give concerts, especially in Ireland.
From 1971 to 1973, Tír na nÓg made three studio albums which were highly acclaimed by critics but did not obtain commercial success.[1] No recording of live performances had been officially released until 2000, with the publication of Hibernian. A compilation of some of their live tracks recorded between 1972 and 1973 for John Peel's radio show was also published one year later.
Formation of the band
Sonny Condell came from Newtownmountkennedy in the Wicklow Hills. His early musical influences were mainly classical music. Before Tír na nÓg were formed, he played with cousin John Roberts as Tramcarr 88.[1] They released one single before the break-up of the band.
Leo O'Kelly came from Carlow. He was influenced by heavy rock, including Jimi Hendrix, The Velvet Underground and The Doors. Before the formation of Tír na nÓg he played in several bands starting with local Carlow beat group The Word before joining The Tropical Showband and Emmet Spiceland, with whom he toured.
O'Kelly and Condell met in Dublin in 1969 and discovered a shared ambition to be singer-songwriters. They started playing together, taking the name Tír na nÓg from Celtic mythology, and writing a song of the same name, which recounts the legend of Tír na nÓg. They travelled to London and began touring the folk clubs, and secured a recording deal with Chrysalis Records.[1][3][4]
1971–1974: performing and recording
Tír na nÓg made three studio albums between 1971 and 1973. The first was called Tír na nÓg,[1] and was produced by Bill Leader. It achieved Melody Maker 'Album of The Month' status on its release in May 1971. It featured mainly their own songs, strongly rooted in the Celtic tradition, but also influenced by eastern music. Condell and O'Kelly played acoustic guitars and occasional bongos and other percussion instruments. Their guitar work was intricate and complex, leading to their being compared to bands such as The Incredible String Band and Pentangle. However, their style was quite distinctive. Often, they would use different open tunings for their two guitars.
Their second album A Tear and a Smile was released in 1972,[1] and produced by Tony Cox. This featured similar material to the first album. However, with their third album Strong in the Sun (released in 1973), produced by Procol Harum organist Matthew Fisher who also played keyboards on the album, they introduced more electric instruments and drums.[1] From Alan Robinson's 2004 liner notes to BGO's reissue of this and the previous album on one CD: "..Certainly, of the three original Tír na nÓg albums, Strong in the Sun is by far the most conventional, most mainstream, although that's not to say that Fisher had ironed out all of the band's entertainingly whimsical rough edges. Fisher gave a bit of a more clearly-defined shape and a greater depth to their sound, neatly framing the duo's contrasting vocal styles." Robinson also remarked that this high quality album didn't "reverse the duo's sales fortunes" and that it opened with "that rarest of things", a Nick Drake cover, "Free Ride".
As well as the folk club circuit, Tír na nÓg also toured internationally, as a support act for various rock bands, including Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, The Who, Emerson, Lake & Palmer or Chicago.[4][5] In July 1974, the British music magazine, NME, reported that the band was to play their final concert, in Dublin on 27 July that year.[6]
The radio presenter, John Peel, promoted their music and they performed a number of live sessions for the BBC.
Later years
After the break-up of Tír na nÓg in 1974, they both returned to Ireland to pursue solo careers. Condell recorded a solo album called Camouflage in 1977, and went on to form the band Scullion with Philip King, Greg Boland and Jimmy O'Brien Moran. O'Kelly pursued a career as a producer and has also released solo albums.
Tír na nÓg reformed in 1985, releasing the single "Love Is Like a Violin", and have toured sporadically since then. Four albums – from various early and later recording dates – have followed: In 1999, In The Morning, an album of 15 previously unreleased demos from April 1970 recorded in Dublin, Ireland, was issued by the Kissing Spell record label. Hibernian, released in 2000, is a September 1995 live performance from Birmingham, UK, and Spotlight in 2001, contains original John Peel BBC radio sessions from 1972/1973. In 2010, they launched a new live album, Live at Sirius, recorded at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, County Cork on 21/22 August 2009.
In 2014, they released I Have Known Love, a four-track, 7-inch vinyl EP on Fruits de Mer Records in anticipation of their next studio album to be released the following year. Alongside three originals, the lead track is a cover of The Silver Apples' "I Have Known Love".
On 24 May 2015, Tír na nÓg released The Dark Dance, their first studio album since 1973.[3][7] The following year, Mega Dodo records released the live LP Live at the Half Moon.[8]
Discography
Studio
- Tír na nÓg (1971)
- A Tear and a Smile (1972)
- Strong in the Sun (1973)
- In the Morning (1999) (previously unreleased demos)
- I Have Known Love (2014) (4-track EP)
- The Dark Dance (2015)
Live
- Hibernian (2000)
- Spotlight (2001)
- Live at Sirius (2010)
- Live at the Half Moon (2016)
- Live 1970-'71 (2022)
- Love Lost - Live In Bremen 1973 (2023)
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Colin Larkin, ed. (1992). The Guinness Encyclopedia of Popular Music (First ed.). Guinness Publishing. p. 2508. ISBN 0-85112-939-0.
- ^ Blaney, John (16 April 2015). "Standing on the shoulders of giants". Shindig! Magazine. No. 47. pp. 32–35.
- ^ a b Peacock, Tim (24 January 2016). "Forever Youthful". Record Collector. No. 450. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
- ^ a b "Nog It To Me, Baby". Record Mirror. 31 October 1970. p. 16.
- ^ Altham, Keith (18 September 1971). "Irish Together". Record Mirror. p. 18. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ Tobler, John (1992). NME Rock 'N' Roll Years (1st ed.). London: Reed International Books Ltd. p. 266. CN 5585.
- ^ Thompson, Dave (21 May 2014). "Wide awake in the Land of Dreams. Time to turn on to Tír na nÓg". Goldmine. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 4 December 2023.
- ^ Kidman, David (31 May 2016). "Tír Na nÓg: Live at the Half Moon". Folk Radio UK. Archived from the original on 16 November 2023. Retrieved 16 November 2023.