The Blue Idol is the eighth studio album by County Donegal-based Irish traditional band Altan.

A number of guest artists appear on the record, including American country singer Dolly Parton, who lends her iconic vocals to great effect on the English version of "An Cailín Deas Óg" ("The Pretty Young Girl", translated by frontwoman Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh's late father and musician Proinsias Ó Maonaigh).

Famed uilleann piper Dónal Lunny joins the band for "Roaring Water" (composed by Altan fiddler Ciarán Tourish), a rousing, five-part jig that builds in its intensity, evoking a whitewater river before eventually spilling down a waterfall.

Singer Paul Brady joins Máiread Ni Mhaonaigh on "Daily Growing", a tragic Scottish tale of a nobleman's 24-year-old daughter being married to a 12-year-old son of a fellow wealthy aristocrat; eventually, with his "daily growing", the two fall in love.

The Blue Idol received an enthusiastic review from Billboard, describing it as "a work of genius" and as "a triumph for Altan and a reminder of the endless charm of Irish music".