[2] Starting as a label that specialized in fiddle music, they began releasing work by Celtic groups such as Planxty and Clannad.

[citation needed] In 1992 Shanachie began releasing CDs by folk singer-songwriters including Richard Shindell, Dolores Keane, John Stewart, Rod MacDonald, Richard Meyer, Karan Casey, Sue Foley, Four Bitchin' Babes, Kevin Gordon, Tommy Makem & Liam Clancy (Makem and Clancy), and others.

[citation needed] In 1980 Shanachie released its first reggae album, King Tubbys Meets Rockers in a Firehouse by Augustus Pablo, and soon after released albums from many reggae artists including Rita Marley, Culture, Bunny Wailer, Judy Mowatt, Alpha Blondy, Lucky Dube, The Skatalites and others.

Shanachie also released material for Augustus Pablo under the Message imprint of his company, Rockers International.

The Grammy Award–winning Soweto Gospel Choir releases albums on Shanachie Records, as has Grammy-nominated Liquid Soul.