Rhythm Nation

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh on the perfect pop of Prince’s Purple Rain

The former Altan frontwoman, who embarks on a nationwide tour next month, has looked to far more than traditional music for inspiration during her career

Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh: ‘I love Joni Mitchell and everything she does.’ Picture: Robert Flanagan

A native of Gaoth Dobhair in the Donegal Gaeltacht, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh rose to fame as lead singer and fiddler with the folk band Altan in the 1990s. She has also performed with artists including Enya, the Chieftains, Alison Krauss and Dolly Parton.

Next month, Ní Mhaonaigh will embark on a Music Network tour in a collaboration with two other luminaries of the Irish traditional music scene, harpist Cormac de Barra and uilleann piper Mark ...