Gael Linn (, " Gael-with-us") is a non-profit and non-governmental organisation focused on the promotion of the

Irish language Irish ( Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was ...

and the arts. The organisation's funding includes government and lottery sources.

History

Gael Linn was founded in May 1953, following a meeting in

Cork Cork or CORK may refer to: Materials * Cork (material), an impermeable buoyant plant product ** Cork (plug), a cylindrical or conical object used to seal a container ***Wine cork Places Ireland * Cork (city) ** Metropolitan Cork, also known as G ...

, with the goal to foster interest in the Irish language and promote artistic events. Since the early years of its foundation, the organisation has also run language courses. In the mid-1950s, Gael Linn supported the production of short films and news reels which were distributed to cinemas. In 1955, Gael Linn established the Irish-language Damer Theatre on

St Stephen's Green St Stephen's Green () is a garden square and public park located in the city centre of Dublin, Ireland. The current landscape of the park was designed by William Sheppard. It was officially re-opened to the public on Tuesday, 27 July 1880 by L ...

which it operated until 1976. In 1959, Gael Linn produced the feature length documentary film ''Mise Éire'', which included an acclaimed score by composer Seán Ó Riada.

Record label

Gael Linn Records is a record label which was founded in the 1950s and is run by Gael Linn. According to the organisation's web site, the "Gael Linn record label was established in 1956 to provide an outlet for recordings of sean-nós singing and traditional music". Gael Linn has released records by a number of traditional Irish musicians. In the early 1970s, the label released Skara Brae's self-titled debut album, and the single from that album also contained Clannad tracks from their own début album on the other side. Clannad was one of the label's most popular acts, until the band signed with RCA Records in 1982. The former members of Skara Brae have all released solo/duet albums under Gael Linn. These artists include Maighréad Ní Dhomhnaill, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill and

Mícheál Ó Domhnaill Mícheál Ó Domhnaill (; 7 October 1951 – 7 July 2006) was an Irish singer, guitarist, composer, and producer who was a major influence on Irish traditional music in the second half of the twentieth century. He is remembered for his innovativ ...

, as well as Altan's Daithí Sproule. Gael Linn Records have issued recordings by Michael Coleman, Seán Ryan, and

Ceoltóirí Chualann Ceoltóirí Chualann (pronounced ) was an Irish traditional band, led by Seán Ó Riada, which included many of the founding members of The Chieftains. Ceoltóirí is the Irish word for musicians, and Cualann is the name of an area just outsid ...

. The label's roster has also included Andy Irvine, Paul Brady,

The Bothy Band The Bothy Band were an Irish traditional band active during the mid 1970s. They quickly gained a reputation as one of the most influential bands playing Irish traditional music. Their enthusiasm and musical virtuosity had a significant influen ...

De Dannan De Dannan (originally ''Dé Danann'') is an Irish folk music group. It was formed 1975 by Frankie Gavin ( fiddle), Alec Finn (guitar, bouzouki), Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh (bodhrán) and Charlie Piggott ( banjo) as a result of sessions in Hughe ...

Dolores Keane Dolores Keane (born 26 September 1953) is an Irish folk singer and occasional actress. She was a founding member of the group De Dannan and has since embarked on a solo career. Background Keane was born in a small village called Sylane (near ...

Nóirín Ní Riain ) , background = solo_singer , instrument = Vocals, surpeti, shruti box, Irish whistle, piano , years_active = 1977 – present , associated_acts = size2shoesMícheál Ó Súilleabháin , website noirin.love, origin = Ca ...

, Pádraigín Ní Uallacháin, and Gerry O'Connor. Several of the label's recordings have been licensed to be reissued on the Green Linnet label.

References

External links

Official website
{{Authority control Irish language organisations Folk record labels Irish independent record labels Record labels established in 1963 Organizations established in 1953 1953 establishments in Ireland Seanad nominating bodies