Danú

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Danú are an Irish traditional music band.

Danú were formed in Waterford in Southeastern Ireland in 1996. After performing in the L'Orient Celtic Music Festival, the then thrown-together group decided to consolidate as a band, and the rest is history.

They are fiercely devoted to their traditional roots, but are not afraid to experiment with arrangement, with critics commenting that their music exudes energy and empathy. Their second album, Think Before You Think (2000) was voted Best Overall Traditional Act by Dublin's Irish Music Magazine. The have been voted Best Traditional Group twice in the BBC Folk Awards, the only band to achieve such a feat. Their version of Co. Down by Tommy Sands won Best Traditional Song in the same awards.

[edit] Members

Muireann Nic Amhlaoibh is the lead singer, and plays flute and whistle with the band. She sings in both English and Irish, with her choice of song varying in style between trad, folk and Sean Nós traditions. She replaced earlier singer Ciarán O Gealbháin, who had in turn replaced Cárthach MacCraith, who sang in the earliest incarnation of the band.

Tom Doorley is the flute-player, and often acts as the spokesmouth for the band on stage, with his witty and occasionally bizarre raconteuring skills adding to the performance. He is a noted story-teller and works as a teacher. He lives in Cape Breton with his wife and children.

Dónal Clancy is the guitar player for the band. He was one of the original members, and after several years pursuing a career with Solas and touring with his father, famous balladeer Liam Clancy (Of Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem fame) Dónal returned to the Danú fold. During his absence he was replaced by guitar player Noel Ryan.

Oisin Mc Auley, a previous member of Stockton's Wing, plays four and five string fiddle with Danú. He has recently released a solo album of fiddle music. Earlier fiddle players for Danú are Jesse Smith and Daire Bracken. Oisin now lives in Boston, USA.

Éamonn Doorley plays bouzouki and fiddle, and is the younger brother of Tom Doorley. It is clear that Eamon's skills on the fiddle have informed his bouzouki playing, with its strong emphasis on graceful countermelody. He currently collaborates with his fiance Julie Fowlis, playing mainly Scottish Gaelic music and song.

Donnchadh Gough plays both bodhran and uillean pipes in Danú. At the age of seven he was given a bodhran by Liam Clancy, and went on to be one of Ireland's finest exponents of this oft-maligned instrument. Seamus Ennis was a family friend and used to tell Donnachadh bedtime stories. His first cousin Aoife Clancy is a member of Cherish the Ladies. He lives in Dungarven, Co. Waterford with his wife and children, and runs a pub called The Local.

Benny McCarty (b 1975) plays box (button accordion)with the band. In his youth he was influenced by many different players, receiving lessons from Máirtin O'Connor and other local musicians. He won the Oireachtas Competition in 1994 on melodeon and accordion. He repairs and tunes his own accordions at his home in County Tipperary, where he lives with his wife and child.