www.altan.ie

“The hottest group in the Celtic realm these days.” –The Boston Globe
“We are all still in awe of Mairéad and Altan as they continue to take the world by storm.”  – Irish Music Magazine
“Altan continues to be one of the Celtic world’s greatest treasures…a sheer powerhouse. – LA Times
With a career spanning 35 years in Irish music Altan has achieved legendary status in the genre that has been equally shaped by the band’s influence and genius. Adding to their long list of awards and honors, fiddler, singer and founding member Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh became the 2017 recipient of the TG4 Gradam Ceoil/Traditional Musician of the Year, one of Ireland’s highest musical honors, recognizing her prominent role in supporting, nurturing and strengthening Irish traditional music.

“I’m just so honoured to be put in such prestigious company [past recipients include Kevin Burke, Máirtín O’Connor, Harry Bradley and Mary Bergin]. When you’re a performer, you perform anyway, regardless of whether anyone’s listening to you, but it’s nice to get the recognition.”
Though the band received the same award for Band of the Year in 2001, Mairéad was glad to be recognized on her own in a genre that has been slow to recognize female musicians.

“I’m so indebted to my father for encouraging me when I was younger, because I know a lot of men his age wouldn’t be encouraging women musicians. But he wanted us all to have music, because he loved playing music and I don’t think gender came into it at all.”
The band will embark on a 17-date tour in the US in continued support of their most recent album, THE WIDENING GYRE, and in anticipation of a new album, soon to be recorded, to commemorate their 35 year anniversary.

2017 TOUR DATES
February 23rd - Sellersville Theater - Sellersville, PA
February 24th - AMP by Strathmore - North Bethesda, MD
February 25th - Carnegie Lecture Hall - Pittsburgh, PA
February 28th - Eddie’s Attic - Decatur, GA
March 1st - Franklin Theatre - Franklin, TN
March 2nd - Stem Concert Hall - New Albany, IN
March 4th - Fox Theater - Spokane, WA
March 7th - Dennison Theatre - Missoula, MT
March 10th - Kirkland Performance Center - Kirkland, WA
March 11st - Admiral Theatre - Bremerton, WA
March 12th - McCready Hall, Pacific University - Forest Grove, OR
March 14th - Center for the Arts - Grass Valley, CA
March 16th - Carpenter Performing Arts Center - Long Beach, CA
March 17th -   Popejoy Hall - Albuquerque, NM
March 18th -  Spencer Theater for Performing Arts - Alto, NM
March 19th - MIM Music Theater - Phoenix, AZ
March 21st - Temple Theatre - Des Moines, IA