Tír na nÓg (band)

Tír na nÓg
Tír na nÓg (left to right: Sonny Condell, Leo O'Kelly) performing "Down in the City" at the Sirius Arts Centre in Cobh, Ireland on August 21st, 2009.
Background information
Origin	Dublin, Ireland
Genres	Folk, progressive folk, progressive rock
Years active	1969–1974, 1985–present (one-time reunions: 1975, 1976)
Labels	Chrysalis, Edsel, Beat Goes On, Erewhon, HTD, Talking Elephant, Hux
Associated acts	The Tropical Showband The Word Tramcarr 88 Emmet Spiceland Ray Dolan Naima Scullion Radar
Website	www.tirnanog-progfolk.com
Members	Sonny Condell Leo O'Kelly

Tír na nÓg are an Irish folk band formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 by Leo O'Kelly and Sonny Condell. They are often considered as one of the first progressive folk bands with other artists like Nick Drake or groups like Pentangle. Their music mainly consists of their own compositions, based on strong Celtic roots and typically featuring intricate acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing. In their early years, they toured the folk clubs of the United Kingdom or internationally as a support act for several rock bands. Today, they regularly give concerts, especially in Ireland.

From 1971 to 1973, Tír na nÓg made three studio albums which were highly acclaimed by critics but didn't receive a big commercial success. No recording of live performances had been officially released until 2000, with the publication of Hibernian. A compilation of some of their live tracks recorded between 1972 and 1973 for the John Peel's radio show, was also published one year later.

Sonny Condell came from Newtownmountkennedy, a remote place in the Wicklow Hills. His early musical influences were mainly classical music. Before Tír na nÓg were formed, he played with cousin John Roberts as Tramcarr 88. They recorded one single before the breakup of the band.

Leo O'Kelly came from Carlow. He was influenced by heavy rock, including Jimi Hendrix, The Velvet Underground and The Doors. Before the formation of Tír na nÓg he played in several bands starting with local Carlow beat group The Word before joining The Tropical Showband and Emmet Spiceland, with whom he toured.