Danú
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Danú is an Irish traditional music band.
The members of Danú met in Waterford in Southeastern Ireland in 1994. After performing in the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in 2005, the then thrown-together group decided to consolidate as a band.
They are devoted to their traditional roots, but unafraid 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 magazine Irish Music. They have been voted Best Traditional Group twice in the BBC Radio 2 Folk Awards, the only band to achieve such a feat. Their version of Co. Down (written by Tommy Sands) won Best Traditional Song in the same awards.
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 folk and Sean Nós traditions. She replaced earlier singer Ciarán O Gealbháin, a tenor who left to finish his education, and 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 spokesman for the band on stage. He has also played live with Men At Work, playing their hit single Down Under. He is a noted story-teller and works as a teacher. He lives in Dublin, Ireland 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, balladeer Liam Clancy (of Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem) Dónal returned to Danú. 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 Holliston, Massachusetts USA.
Éamon 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 countermelody. He currently collaborates with his wife 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. Donnchadh's other first cousin, (Aoife's brother), Finbarr, is also a member of "The High Kings". He lives in Dungarvan, Co. Waterford with his wife and children, and runs a pub called The Local. His family run a very well known bar called Mooney’s pub in the gaeltacht an Rinn, it is famous for its trad sessions. His cousin Finbar Clancy sings with the group the High Kings. His sister are singers.
Benny McCarthy (b 1975) plays box (button accordion)with the band. In his youth he was influenced by many different players, receiving lessons from Bobby Gardiner 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 Co.Waterford, where he lives with his wife and family.
Discography
- Danú (1997)
- Think Before You Think (2000)
- All Things Considered (2002)
- The Road Less Travelled (2003)
- Up In The Air (2004)
- When All Is Said and Done (2005)
- One Night Stand (Danú DVD) (2005)
- Dual (2008 - Éamonn and Muireann with Julie Fowlis and Ross Martin)
- Seanchas (2010)