Déanta
Encyclopedia
Déanta is an Irish traditional music band from Northern Ireland
. The name of the band is the Irish
word for done or made. The band, formed in the early 1990s in County Antrim
, played together until 1997 and regrouped in 2008. The band were noted members of the traditional music scene in Ireland
. They signed to Green Linnet and released three albums which blended traditional tunes and songs with arrangements sometimes veering towards a contemporary setting.
In September 2007, the former members played at the 8th Gig 'n The Bann Festival. Their first performance after regrouping took place in October 2008 for BBC Two Northern Ireland's Blas Ceoil series.
Déanta's original line-up included Mary Dillon
(vocals, keyboard
, guitar
, harp
), Paul Mullan (flute
, whistle
s), siblings Eoghan (guitar, harp) and Kate O'Brien (fiddle
, viola
), and Clodagh Warnock (bouzouki
, fiddle, bodhran
, percussion). Mullan was later replaced by Deirdre Havlin and Rosie Mulholland (keyboard, fiddle) was added.
In 1995, Kate O'Brien married Paul McSherry
of Tamalin
. Mary Dillon, from Dungiven
, is married to Paul McLaughlin of Óige. She is the second eldest of six (five sisters and a brother), her youngest sister being Cara Dillon
. Her parents are neighbours to X-Factor
contestant Eoghan Quigg
.
's Vincent O'Keeffe described the album superb, particularly noting the harp-driven instrumentals and intricate arrangements and unique voice of Dillon.
Tracklist
Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland is one of the four countries of the United Kingdom. Situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland, it shares a border with the Republic of Ireland to the south and west...
. The name of the band is the Irish
Irish language
Irish , also known as Irish Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family, originating in Ireland and historically spoken by the Irish people. Irish is now spoken as a first language by a minority of Irish people, as well as being a second language of a larger proportion of...
word for done or made. The band, formed in the early 1990s in County Antrim
County Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
, played together until 1997 and regrouped in 2008. The band were noted members of the traditional music scene in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
. They signed to Green Linnet and released three albums which blended traditional tunes and songs with arrangements sometimes veering towards a contemporary setting.
In September 2007, the former members played at the 8th Gig 'n The Bann Festival. Their first performance after regrouping took place in October 2008 for BBC Two Northern Ireland's Blas Ceoil series.
Déanta's original line-up included Mary Dillon
Mary Dillon
Mary Dillon is an Irish folk singer. She is best known for her work with the traditional band Déanta. Following Déanta's breakup, Dillon has worked as a teacher...
(vocals, keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
, guitar
Guitar
The guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, harp
Harp
The harp is a multi-stringed instrument which has the plane of its strings positioned perpendicularly to the soundboard. Organologically, it is in the general category of chordophones and has its own sub category . All harps have a neck, resonator and strings...
), Paul Mullan (flute
Flute
The flute is a musical instrument of the woodwind family. Unlike woodwind instruments with reeds, a flute is an aerophone or reedless wind instrument that produces its sound from the flow of air across an opening...
, whistle
Whistle
A whistle or call is a simple aerophone, an instrument which produces sound from a stream of forced air. It may be mouth-operated, or powered by air pressure, steam, or other means...
s), siblings Eoghan (guitar, harp) and Kate O'Brien (fiddle
Fiddle
The term fiddle may refer to any bowed string musical instrument, most often the violin. It is also a colloquial term for the instrument used by players in all genres, including classical music...
, viola
Viola
The viola is a bowed string instrument. It is the middle voice of the violin family, between the violin and the cello.- Form :The viola is similar in material and construction to the violin. A full-size viola's body is between and longer than the body of a full-size violin , with an average...
), and Clodagh Warnock (bouzouki
Bouzouki
The bouzouki , is a musical instrument with Greek origin in the lute family. A mainstay of modern Greek music, the front of the body is flat and is usually heavily inlaid with mother-of-pearl. The instrument is played with a plectrum and has a sharp metallic sound, reminiscent of a mandolin but...
, fiddle, bodhran
Bodhrán
The bodhrán is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65 cm in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45 cm . The sides of the drum are 9 to 20 cm deep. A goatskin head is tacked to one side...
, percussion). Mullan was later replaced by Deirdre Havlin and Rosie Mulholland (keyboard, fiddle) was added.
In 1995, Kate O'Brien married Paul McSherry
Paul McSherry
Paul McSherry, hailing from west Belfast, began playing guitar in 1982 at the age of 14. Inspired by two other great guitarists from west Belfast, Maurice McHugh and Mark Kane, he was self-taught on DADGAD tuning....
of Tamalin
Tamalin (band)
Tamalin is a family-based band from west Belfast who originally began playing Irish traditional music in the early 1980s under the name The McSherrys...
. Mary Dillon, from Dungiven
Dungiven
Dungiven is a small town and townland in County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. It is on the main A6 Belfast to Derry road. It lies where the rivers Roe, Owenreagh and Owenbeg meet at the foot of the Benbradagh. Nearby is the Glenshane Pass, where the road rises to over...
, is married to Paul McLaughlin of Óige. She is the second eldest of six (five sisters and a brother), her youngest sister being Cara Dillon
Cara Dillon
Cara Dillon is an Irish folk singer. In 2001, she launched her career as a solo artist in the UK with the eponymous Cara Dillon album...
. Her parents are neighbours to X-Factor
The X Factor (UK)
The X Factor is a British television music competition to find new singing talent. Created by Simon Cowell, it began in September 2004 and is contested by aspiring singers drawn from public auditions. It is the originator of the international X Factor franchise. The seven series of the show to date...
contestant Eoghan Quigg
Eoghan Quigg
Eoghan Quigg is an Irish pop singer and occasional actor from Dungiven in Northern Ireland, who finished third in the fifth series of the British television music talent contest The X Factor in 2008...
.
Déanta (1993)
Tracklist- The Flight Of The Termite
- The Green Fields Of Canada
- King Of The Blues
- Cold Grey Fairyland
- Willie Taylor
- Harp Airs
- Thousands Are Sailing
- Gravelly Groove
- Dark Iniseoghain
Ready For The Storm (1994)
Tracklist- The Mighty Clansmen
- The Landsdowne Lass
- The Lakes Of PontchartrainThe Lakes of PontchartrainThe Lakes of Pontchartrain is an Irish ballad about an unfortunate immigrant from Ireland who is given shelter by a beautiful Louisiana Creole woman...
- An Raibh Tú Ag An gCarraig
- Hammy's Jigs
- Culloden's Harvest
- Let The Hair Sit
- The Maid That Sold Her Barley
- Eleanor Plunkett
- The Party
- Ready For The Storm
- The Rocky Reels
- The Benedy Glen
Whisper Of A Secret (1997)
In his album review, The SunThe Sun (newspaper)
The Sun is a daily national tabloid newspaper published in the United Kingdom and owned by News Corporation. Sister editions are published in Glasgow and Dublin...
's Vincent O'Keeffe described the album superb, particularly noting the harp-driven instrumentals and intricate arrangements and unique voice of Dillon.
Tracklist
- Two Days To Go
- Willie And Mary
- The Usual Suspects
- Paddy And The Bandit
- Lone Shanakyle
- Waltz Of The White Lilies
- At The Crossroads
- The Blacksmith
- Cogair Rúin (Title track)
- The Druid's Mountain
- Where Are You
- Scarta Glen Road