At times, it has seemed De Dannan was more a launching pad for Irish singers than anything else. Yet, despite the loss of vocalists who have since gone on to achieve solo success (Mary Black, Dolores Keane, Maura O'Connell, Eleanor Shanley and Tommy Fleming), the core aesthetic of this inventive traditional group remains the same: Frankie Gavin (left) and Alec Finn investing traditional music with a rousing and rocking dynamic that takes some beating. Currently on a tour of Ireland to celebrate their 25th year (they have also landed a Platinum disc for the sales of their compilation album, How The West Was Won), De Dannan play Galway's Town Hall tonight, Dublin's Olympia theatre tomorrow, Limerick's Univesity Concert Hall on Tuesday and Cork's Opera House on Wednesday.
