Tír na nÓg

Formed in Dublin in 1969 around Sonny Condell and Leo O'Kelly, Tír na nÓg developed an acoustic folk sound with progressive leanings, rooted in Celtic traditions, intricately interwoven guitars and tight vocal harmonies. The duo first made its mark on the British folk-club circuit before also touring as support for rock bands, while keeping its songwriting focused on original material. The early albums Tír na nÓg (1971) and A Tear and a Smile (1972) established this aesthetic between folk, progressive folk and subtle psychedelic touches, while Strong in the Sun (1973) broadened the sound with fuller instrumentation. Backed at the time by John Peel, Tír na nÓg also recorded several sessions for the BBC. After splitting in 1974, Sonny Condell and Leo O'Kelly each pursued their own musical activities before reforming Tír na nÓg from 1985 for more occasional concerts and new releases. The discography was later expanded by In the Morning (1999), a collection of demos recorded in 1970, several live albums such as Hibernian (2000), and The Dark Dance (2015), the duo’s first proper new studio album since the 1970s.