Altan Keeps Donegal Fiddle Music Alive And Well

By John Roos

The next best thing to visiting County Donegal in the northwest of Ireland, where the natural beauty of its rural landscrape and its rich cultural heritage can seep into one's soul, is to immerse yourself in Donegal's traditional fiddle music.

Donegal fiddlers date back at least to the 18th century when jigs and later reels and hornpipes became the dominant musical forms of the region. Because many Donegal musicians, some being fishermen, regularly travelled to Scotland, they incorporated styles from the Scottish repertoire (such as the strathspey) into the Donegal tradition as Highland tunes. Much of the Donegal tradition was born from the synthesis of Irish and Scottish styles.

The history of these fiddlers includes such luminaries as John Doherty, Tommy Peoples, James Byrne, Con Cassidy, Neillidh Boyle, and Dinny McLaughlin, among others. Carrying the torch into our modern times is Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, a founding member-fiddler-lead singer-songwriter of the long-running band Altan, which just released the album Donegal (Compass Records) and will be performing this Sunday evening at the Freight in Berkeley.

Altan has become one of the leading exponents of traditional Irish music worldwide since forming in the late-1980's. Known for its twin-fiddling, and combination of jigs, reels, and strathspeys with stirring ballads of love, longing, and hearbreak--sung in both Gaelic and English--Altan has released over a 15 albums while touring regularly throughout the world. With the release of Donegal, the sextet--also featuring newest member Clare Friel on second fiddle and backing vocals; accordionist Martin Tourish; guitarist Dáithí Sproule; guitarist/backing vocalist Mark Kelly; and bouzouki/mandolin player Ciarán Curran--is both championing its roots and stretching its signature sound in subtle yet meaningful ways.

"Making Donegal was done mostly during the (COVID) lockdown so weren't touring and had more time than usual while recording, which was a luxury," shared Ní Mhaonaigh during a recent Zoom interview from her residence in Ireland. "We had time to re-think arrangements, change and re-do the songs and tunes. We were seeking a bit of a new sound that included using more polyrhythms, plus new textures and harmonic ideas. But at the same time, we want to keep our character and idenity intact. I think what we came up with is a well-balanced, intimate recording."

Not surprisingly, there have been several personnel changes in Altan over the years, but for any band to survive, let alone prosper, over four decades requires hard work, dedication, flexibility, and perhaps most importantly, checking one's ego at the door. Creative decisions are made democratically, where each band member has a voice that is heard and respected.

"We're very straightforward and honest when discussing what original and traditional material we're considering to record or play live," said Ní Mhaonaigh . "Everyone has an opinion. Sometimes it's accepted and sometimes not but there's always room for compromise after a robust discussion. Fortunately, our (musical) tastes and styles are very compatible. More likely than that, if it's a tasteful piece of music, then why not? But no one in the group goes out and says, 'I want my tunes to be on our next record.'"

There was a time early on, though, when the band's future was in real doubt. In 1991, co-founding member, flute player, and Ní Mhaonaigh's husband, Frankie Kennedy, was diagnosed with cancer. He courageously played on for several more years but passed away on Sept. 19, 1994. Obviously, a period of intense mourning and reflection ensued, with the rest of the band members unsure of whether to continue as Altan.

"We all needed some time to heal but it was Frankie's wish that we carry on, to continue bringing this beautiful music of our homeland to as many people as we possibly can," recalled Ní Mhaonaigh , who also teaches fiddle playing to inspire new generations to follow suit. "I think Frankie would be delighted and proud of how far we have developed musically, how we're willing to color things in a different way and use the studio more to our advantage. There is great depth in our music at the moment, and I'm sure he would say, 'Fair play to that.'"

And while Ní Mhaonaigh has over the years pursued other creative outlets--including releasing a solo album, 2009's Imeall (Edge/Theshold) and playing as a member of the supergroups, T with the Maggies and the String Sisters--she insists that Altan is her bread and butter.

"Altan is my family, the other projects I've been involved with are just for fun and happen only rarely," she said. "It is good to have those challenges outside of the band because to stay within you comfort zone is not really healthy. Putting yourself in an uncomfortable situation forces you to learn something new and hopefully grow."

Still, for Ní Mhaonaigh, who was born in Gweedor and grew up in Gaoth Dobhair--both in the province of Ulster --what will never change is how Donegal's rich tradition, culture, and topography continue to define the essence of Altan.

"Since I was a young girl, I was very interested in song and singing," said Ní Mhaonaigh, whose father, Proinsias Ó Maonaigh (a.k.a., Francie Mooney), was a fiddle player and school teacher. "I learned very old songs in the Donegal tradition from my dad, friends, and our neighbors. (She also received guidance and tuition from fiddler Dinny McLaughlin, who frequently visited the family's home when she was young.) It was only a matter of time before I sought out unusual recordings in Gaelic by people who lived near me that I had never met. I still love searching through the archives for hidden gems."

Perhaps the biggest compliment that Ní Mhaonaigh has reaped came from a concert-goer while Altan was touring in Japan. Inspired by the group's live version of the folk song "Dúlamán" --which offers the gathering of seaweed as a parable for not marrying above one's social standing--a man remarked that he "could feel what you're doing and smell the turf" after experiencing the band's performance.

"I was really touched by that," said Ní Mhaonaigh. "For him to say to me that he felt like he was here, experiencing with us the cliffs and sea, and yes, even the turf . . . . . that has stuck with me ever since."

*Altan performs Sunday night at Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Berkeley; (510) 644-2020. 7 p.m. $42-$47. www.thefreight.org.