Ireland - Irish Group Music 2008

Following the 2006 issue of four stamps marking the contributions made to Irish music by The Dubliners, The Chieftains, Altan, The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem, this year our second part is issued.

Planxty started out in the early 70's in the wake of Christy Moore's successful album Prosperous, when Donal Lunny, Liam Óg Ó'Floinn, Andy Irvine and Christy himself discovered how much they enjoyed playing together. They had great success in Ireland, the UK and in Continental Europe.

De Dannan formed in 1974 with Charlie Piggot, Frankie Gavin, Johnny McDonagh and Alec Finn in the line-up. Membership of the band has been fluid over the years, with singers such as Dolores Keane, Maura O'Connell and Mary Black coming and going, but the distinctive playing of Frankie Gavin (fiddle) and Alec Finn (bouzouki) have given De Dannan a unique and uniquely recognisable sound.

The Bothy Band, or the Bothies, also first got together in 1974, with their first performance coming in Trinity College on 2nd February 1975. This was another band with a flexible line-up, revolving around a core of Matt Molloy, Paddy Keenan, Donal Lunny, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill.

The Tulla Céilí Band was formed in 1946 when Teresa Tubridy, Bert McNulty and P. Joe Hayes put together a group from east Clare for that year's Limerick Fleadh. Like the other ensembles featured, this band has undergone many changes of personnel. Members include big names like Bobby Casey and Willie Clancy. .

Unlike the other bands, the Tulla Céilí Band is still going today, with an annual slot at the Willie Clancy Summer School. Their individual style, featuring traditional céilí rhythms played with a lively swing, won them victories in the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in 1957 and 1960, and continues to win them fans to this day. .

Each of the stamps shows an image of one of the groups in performance, painted by Irish artist Finbarr O'Connor, with typography by Steve Simpson.

Technical Details:

Date of Issue: 10 October 2008
Value & Quantity: 2 x 55 c (.36m), 2 x 82c (.288m), Euro 2.74 Minisheet (25k)
Illustration: Finbarr O'Connor
Typhography & Layout: Steve Simpson
Stamp Size: 44.45mm x 27.94mm
Colour: Multicolour with phosphor tagging
Make-up: Sheetlets of 12
Perforations: 13.75 x 13.75
Printing Process: Lithography
Printer: Irish Security Stamp Printing Ltd