The Bothy Band

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The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band which emerged at the tail end of 1974 from a musical event celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of the Gael Linn record label. During the remainder of the band's five-year career The Bothy Band laid down a benchmark for the development of Irish traditional music over subsequent decades.

The initial lineup had Paddy Glackin on fiddle as well as Tony MacMahon on accordion, but neither was prepared to take on a full-time musical career. The Bothy Band's core membership until its demise was Matt Molloy, flute and tin whistle; Paddy Keenan, uilleann pipes and tin whistle; Dónal Lunny, bouzouki, guitar, and production; Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, harpsichord, clavinet and vocals; and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, guitar and vocals. Tommy Peoples replaced Paddy Glackin initially and was himself superseded by Kevin Burke in May of 1976.

Their eponymous first album from 1975 (re-released as 1975: The First Album) established their critical renown. Their second, Old Hag You Have Killed Me, from 1976, only increased their audience. This was followed by Out of the Wind, Into the Sun. That was to be their last studio release, however, and it was followed by a live album recorded in Paris, Afterhours. In 1994 some previously unreleased concerts from 1976 & 1978 were released as BBC Radio One - The Bothy Band: Live in Concert. After the band's dissolution, the various members joined such bands as Nightnoise, Moving Hearts, The Chieftains, Patrick Street, Planxty and Touchstone.