Skara Brae (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Skara Brae


Img_capt = Skara Brae at a rare concert in Gaoth Dobhair, 2005.
Background = group_or_band
Years_active = 1970–1971
Associated_acts = The Bothy Band
Nightnoise
Relativity
URL =
Origin = Ranafast, County Donegal, Ireland
Genre = Folk
Celtic
Label = Gael-Linn
Current_members=
Past_members = Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill
Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill
Mícheál Ó Domhnaill
Dáithí Sproule

Skara Brae were a traditional Irish music group from Kells, County Meath with origins in Ranafast, County Donegal. The group consisted of three siblings, Maighread Ní Dhomhnaill, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill with Dáithí Sproule from Derry. Although they were together for only a year, their one and only record "Skara Brae" is considered to be one of the most important albums in its genre, as they were the first group in history to put harmonies to Gaelic songs. [ [http://www.folkworld.de/5/cds2e.html FolkWorld CD Reviews ] ]

Though brought up in County Meath, the Uí Dhomhnaill siblings had their roots in Ranafast (Rann na Feirste), where their father's family originated. Mícheál, Maighread and Tríona came together with Dáithí during Irish language summer schools held in Rannafast during the late 1960s and subsequently formed the band Skara Brae (while Maighread was still attending school). The band released one self-titled album in 1971, when Dáithí, Mícheál and Tríona were attending university in Dublin and later played several gigs in the city over the next year, turning increasingly to a more electric sound until disbanding in 1972.

Dáithi Sproule went on to perform in bands such as Altan [ [http://time-has-told-me.blogspot.com/2006/10/skara-brae-irish-folk-1971-wikipedia.html Time Has Told Me ] ] . Skara Brae re-grouped in 1998 and 2003 for concerts in Gweedore, County Donegal.

Discography

In 1971, Skara Brae released a self-titled album [Ref.: CEF 031, Gael-Linn Records] with the following tracks:

*Taobh 1:1. An Cailín Rua:2. An Suantraí:3. Bánchnoic Éireann Óighe:4. Angela:5. Táim Breoite go Leor:6. Inis Dhún Rámha:7. An Saighdiúir Tréigthe

*Taobh 2:1. Cad é Sin don Té Sin:2. An Chrúbach:3. Casadh an tSúgáin:4. Caitlín Óg:5. Airdí a' Chumhaing:6. Tá Mé 'mo Shuí

The album was re-released on Gael-Linn in 1998.

ee also

* Skara Brae, an archeology site featuring the most complete neolithic village in Europe

References