TÍR NA nÓg, the folk-rock duo of Sonny Condell and Leo O’Kelly, are touring again, and make a welcome return to Galway to play Monroe’s Live on Sunday May 22.
In the early 1970s, the folk revival and the impact of rock music inspired a new generation of Irish musicians to produce some of the richest and most innovative music ever made in this country. It was the era of Planxty, Horslips, The Bothy Band, Clannad, Midnight Well, Mellow Candle, Paul Brady, and Tír Na nÓg.
Tír Na nÓg was Wicklowman Sonny Condell and Carlow’s Leo O’Kelly. Their music was mostly acoustic based, fusing Irish folk with contemporary rock. The band’s eponymous debut album, released in 1971, showcased Condell and O’Kelly’s very different styles and approaches to songwriting.
What was not in doubt though was the quality of both men’s compositions. Tír Na nÓg remains one of the peaks of the Irish folk and rock and the album is many people’s entry point into the duo’s music. Also its opening track ‘Time Is Like A Promise’ is considered by many to be the definitive Tír Na nÓg track.
Two more albums followed - A Tear And A Smile (1972 ) and Strong In The Sun (1973 ). The albums were well received by the music press and both John Peel and Bob Harris championed them on their BBC radio shows. Tír Na nÓg also enjoyed high profile support slots with Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, Roxy Music, ELP, and The Who.
In 1974 Condell and O’Kelly called it a day. Condell would go on to form Scullion and record solo albums. O’Kelly worked as a producer and has also recorded a number of solo albums. O’Kelly’s latest solo album, Will, is released this month.
From time to time the duo reform to tour and gratifyingly for the pair not only are the long time fans present, but younger audience members who have only experiened the duo’s music more recently.
For more information and tickets contact Monroe’s on 091 - 583397 or 087 - 9783245. To listen to Tír Na nÓg’s music and see classic footage of the band performing live see http://www.youtube.com/user/TirnanOgduoofficial
