The Bothy Band formed in 1974 (as 'Seachtair') with a line-up that included Tony McMahon, Paddy Keenan, Matt Molloy, Paddy Glackin, Donal Lunny, Mícheál Ó Domhnaill and Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill. When McMahon and Glackin left, Tommy Peoples joined and The Bothy Band proper came to be. The name comes from a term for a Scottish migrant workers' hut. The first album was 'The Bothy Band' though this has subsequently become known as '1975'. Kevin Burke replaced Tommy Peoples before the second album 'Old Hag You Have Killed Me'. They went on to record two more (live) albums 'Out of the Wind, Into the Sun' and 'After Hours' in Paris. Each of the members has stayed at the forefront of traditional music since. Kevin Burke has recorded many solo albums and is currently a member of Patrick Street and The Celtic Fiddle Festival. Matt Molloy also recorded four popular solo albums and is currently a member of the Chieftains. Donal Lunny rejoined Planxty after the Bothies disbanded. He and Christy Moore then started Moving Hearts in the 1980's. His current band is Coolfin. Michéal O Dómhnaill recorded two albums with Kevin Burke before starting Nightnoise which Tríona later joined. Michéal recently recorded 'Reprise' with Paddy Glackin. Keenan and Glackin recorded the seminal pipes/fiddle album 'Dooblin' in the late 70's. |