Altan is an Irish music group, playing traditional music in the Donegal style. The group was formed in the early 90s, after an album by founding members Frankie Kennedy (Irish flute) and Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh (fiddle), Ceol Aduaidh (“music from the North” in Irish gaelic)
The group recorded 5 albums before the tragic death of Frankie Kennedy, before being signed by Virgin in 1996 for their Blackwater album, with new member Dermot Byrne on accordion.
Their music is lively and dynamic, with the 2 fiddles occupying a central place, and their repertoire consists mainly of Donegal and Northern tunes and songs.