[2] Keith Fay had formed a Tolkien-inspired black metal band named after the city of Minas Tirith in 1991.

[3] Around the same time, he began listening to more folk music and picked up Skyclad debut album The Wayward Sons of Mother Earth.

Originally released in 1990, this "ambitious" and "groundbreaking" album[4] made an impact on Fay and he set out to combine black metal with the folk music of Ireland.

[5] Keith Fay also credits the Irish rock band Horslips as a "huge influence on Cruachan," further noting that "what they were doing in the 70's is the equivalent of what we do now.

The band found it amazing to receive interest from "such a big label" but were dismayed at the terms and conditions of the offered recording deal.

[14] Drummer Joe Farrell left the band shortly thereafter due to "personal reasons" and was replaced by Colin Purcell.

[15] A further line-up change occurred in December 2008, as vocalist Karen Gilligan left the band "on good terms for various reasons.

On 14 January, Cruachan announced that bassist Rustam had departed the band following their performance on 70000 Tons of Metal earlier that month.

On 10 February 2020, Cruachan announced that former drummer Joe Farrell would be rejoining the band as Rustam's replacement on bass.

It was announced later the same month on the 28 July that fiddle player John Ryan and Guitarist Kieran Ball would both be departing the band.

During this period, Fay recruited Tom Woodlock on drums, Audrey Trainor on violin and Dave Quinn on guitar.