Altan, one of the biggest bands in traditional Irish music, have, since their start back in 1987, appeared at Tønder Festival six times. The most recent was in 2017, when they included us in their 30th anniversary tour. Altan was founded by Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and her late husband, Frankie Kennedy, and created a stir from the word go on the folk music scene in Donegal. Ní Mhaonaigh is a native Erse speaker, and she has sung many’s the traditional song. Besides herself, singing and playing fiddle, today’s Altan has Ciarán Curran on bouzouki, Martin Tourish on accordion and guitarists Dáithí Sproule and Mark Kelly. Altan have toured the world and have performed before President Clinton at the White House. The group have also worked with Dolly Parton, Jerry Douglas and Mary Chapin Carpenter, among many others. In 2018 they released their latest album, The Gap of Dreams, a musical journey back to Donegal. Their only Danish festival in 2023.