Clannad at the Royal Albert Hall

A cross-posting from my LivingGeography blog.


I was heading for London on Wednesday to stay overnight so that I could get an early Eurostar train to Brussels.

In the evening, I was due to go to an EXPLORE session as part of the RGS's exploration festival. I noticed that the Irish band Clannad were playing at the Royal Albert Hall. It was to be their final concert.

I was introduced to Clannad by their singles Newgrange and Theme from Harry's Game, from the album 'Magical Ring'. I also played their first few albums quite a lot including Dulaman (seaweed).

In 1983-4 they produced the music for an essential series for me at the time: 'Robin of Sherwood'. Michael Praed played Robin, and a second series saw him replaced by Jason Connery.  The album has just been rereleased onto Spotify with a whole extra album of 'lost' music, which is mostly excellent.


I saw Clannad quite a few times during the early to late 1980s when they were touring following this period, including the album 'Macalla' which featured 'In a Lifetime'. Noel and Padraig - twin brothers who helped found the band had since died. I also saw Pol Brennan in a band called Trisan. 

I decided to look at any available seats and there was on the 11th row... so I ended up at the Royal Albert Hall for a wonderful evening. The two Robins introduced the band, and the cast came up on stage. The first half was mostly take up with playing the 'Legend' album and the extra music, which was excellent. The second half was all their classic songs, including some going back to that first album and their second: 'Dulaman' included. It was a wonderful night with two and a half hours of music. 



Was good to have the chance to say thanks for the decades of music...

Headed back down Exhibition Road very happy....

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