The Irish Rovers  
This quintet started out in the late '50s (curiously, by way of Canada) and by the mid-'60s were a popular folk ensemble on television on two continents. Although their work, exuberant and boisterous, with relatively little scholarship, and lacking a traditional sound, became less fashionable with the ascent of groups like The Chieftains, the Irish Rovers continue to have a devoted core following. Bruce Eder, All-Music Guide

Andy Irvine  
Andy Irvine has been a major influence on traditional Irish music for more than three decades. A former member of Sweeny's Men and Planxty, the London-born multi-instrumentalist and vocalist has continued to extend the musical traditions of the Emerald Isle as a soloist, a duet partner of Dick Gaughan and Paul Brady, and a founding member of Irish supergroup Patrick Street.

The son of a Scottish father and an Irish mother, Irvine was inspired by his mother, an actress, to pursue a career in theater and appeared in numerous films and stage productions as a youngster. Music, however, had an even greater lure. After learning to play guitar, Irvine played in several teenaged skiffle bands, acquiring an interest in traditional folk songs and the songs of Woody Guthrie. Moving to Dublin, Ireland in the early 1960s, Irvine became involved with the city's folk circuit, performing with Irish musicians including Johnny Moynihan, Luke Kelly and Ronnie Drew. In 1966, after touring with Moynihan and Joe Dolan, Irvine helped to form a band, Sweeney's Men. Although they were together for only two years, the group sparked a revival in traditional Irish music and had two hits, "Waxies Dargle" and "Old Maid in the Garret."

Leaving Sweeney's Men in May 1968, Irvine spent a year and a half as a street musician in Bulgaria, Romania and Yugoslavia, developing an understanding of eastern European music. After returning to Ireland, Irvine played with Donal Lunny and Christy Moore. Following his participation in the recording of Moore's 1972 album, Prosperous, Irvine joined with Moore, Lunny and Liam O'Flynn to form the trad-rock band Planxty. Despite numerous personnel changes, the band continued to work together until late 1975.

In 1976 and 1977, Irvine worked with Paul Brady, with whom he recorded an album, and Mick Hanley. When the original lineup of Planxty reunited in 1978, Irvine rejoined the band. He remained with the group until 1983, when Lunny and Moore left to form Moving Hearts. With the breakup of Planxty, Irvine recorded his debut solo album, Rainy Sundays....Windy Dreams and a duo album with Dick Gaughan, Parallel Lines. In addition to performing briefly with De Danann, Irvine performed, along with Lunny and Declan Masterson, in a multi-national band, Mosaic, that focused on traditional Eastern European music.

A duo that Irvine formed with Gerry O'Beirne was enlarged with the addition of Kevin Burke and Jackie Daly of De Danann. After O'Beirne was replaced by Arty McGlynn, the band named itself Patrick Street, and recorded three albums between 1986 and 1989. With the group taking a hiatus in 1989, Irvine recorded his second solo album, Rude Awakening, and the multi-artist compilation East Wind, a collection of Bulgarian and Macedonian tunes.

In 1993, Irvine resumed his association with Patrick Street. Craig Harris, All-Music Guide

Eileen Ivers  
A fiddle virtuoso, Eileen Ivers was born in New York City to parents who had both immigrated from Ireland. She began to play fiddle at the age of eight, and learned to play from Martin Mulvihill, the great fiddler and teacher from County Limerick. Between the ages of eleven and nineteen, she won eight all-Ireland championships, culminating in the senior championship in 1984. She has been a member of Cherish The Ladies, The Green Fields Of America, Chanting House, and even Hall And Oates' band. Steve Winick, All-Music Guide

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