Tír na nÓg (band)

Tír na nÓg are an Irish folk duo formed in Dublin, Ireland, in 1969 by Leo O'Kelly and Sonny Condell.

[2] Their music mainly consists of their own compositions, based on strong Celtic roots and typically featuring intricate acoustic guitar playing and close harmony singing.

From 1971 to 1973, Tír na nÓg made three studio albums which were highly acclaimed by critics but did not obtain commercial success.

Before the formation of Tír na nÓg he played in several bands starting with local Carlow beat group The Word before joining The Tropical Showband and Emmet Spiceland, with whom he toured.

Fisher gave a bit of a more clearly-defined shape and a greater depth to their sound, neatly framing the duo's contrasting vocal styles."

Robinson also remarked that this high quality album didn't "reverse the duo's sales fortunes" and that it opened with "that rarest of things", a Nick Drake cover, "Free Ride".

As well as the folk club circuit, Tír na nÓg also toured internationally, as a support act for various rock bands, including Jethro Tull, Procol Harum, The Who, Emerson, Lake & Palmer or Chicago.

Condell recorded a solo album called Camouflage in 1977, and went on to form the band Scullion with Philip King, Greg Boland and Jimmy O'Brien Moran.

Hibernian, released in 2000, is a September 1995 live performance from Birmingham, UK, and Spotlight in 2001, contains original John Peel BBC radio sessions from 1972/1973.

Tír na nÓg in 1972. From left to right: Leo O'Kelly, Sonny Condell