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This is Altan's 25th Anniversary Celebration (catalogue number IRL044), an independently released Irish recording that brought together Donegal's most celebrated traditional folk group and the full R.T.E. Concert Orchestra under the baton of conductor David Brophy. The result is a rare meeting of intimate trad sensibility and full orchestral colour — fiddle, accordion, bouzouki and whistles woven through rich string and woodwind arrangements across 15 tracks.
Released on Altan's own label and recorded at RTE Studios in Dublin, this was a domestic Irish release with limited wider distribution. Copies in any condition are genuinely harder to source outside Ireland than mainstream catalogue titles, making it a worthwhile find for collectors and fans alike.
The recording suits fans of Altan's core lineup — Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciarán Tourish, Dermot Byrne, Ciarán Curran and Mark Kelly — as well as anyone drawn to Celtic and traditional Irish music given a sweeping orchestral treatment. It is equally at home as a listening record and as a collector's piece marking a significant milestone in Irish folk music.
| Artist | Altan |
|---|---|
| Album Title | 25th Anniversary Celebration |
| Label | Altan |
| Catalogue Number | IRL044 |
| Format | CD (1 disc) |
| Case Type | Digipak |
| Genre | Folk / Traditional Irish (Celtic) |
| Orchestra | R.T.E. Concert Orchestra |
| Conductor | David Brophy |
| Producer | Altan, Fiachra Trench |
| Recorded At | RTE Studios, Dublin, Ireland |
| Members | Mairead Ní Mhaonaigh, Ciarán Tourish, Dermot Byrne, Ciarán Curran, Mark Kelly |
| Instruments | Fiddle, Accordion, Bouzouki, Whistles, Guitar |
| Language | English, Irish (Gaeilge) |
| Release Type | Anniversary Edition |
| Era / Decade | 2000s |
| Country of Manufacture | Ireland |
| Number of Tracks | 15 |
Used — Good overall condition. The digipak outer case shows noticeable shelf wear: the white card surface has scuffing, light creasing and minor soiling across the front and back panels, with some slight marking to the lower corners. The spine text remains fully legible. The inner tray is intact, and the booklet is present with no writing noted. The disc itself shows light surface hairlines and handling marks on the play side but no deep scratches; it should play without issue. A presentable copy of a hard-to-find Irish release, complete with all original components.
Q: Is the disc complete and does it play correctly?
A: Yes. The disc is present and plays. There are light surface hairlines and handling marks visible on the play side, as is typical of a used disc, but there are no deep scratches. We expect it to play all 15 tracks without issue.
Q: Is this the same as any of Altan's standard studio albums?
A: No. This is a dedicated anniversary release recorded specifically with the R.T.E. Concert Orchestra — it is a standalone recording not replicated on any other Altan studio or live album. It is distinct from their regular catalogue.
Q: Is the booklet included, and is it in good condition?
A: Yes, the full-colour booklet is included and intact. No writing or stamps have been noted inside. The booklet carries credits, sleeve notes and the artwork by Eadain O'Donnell as visible in the close-up of the digipak front panel.
Q: Why is this release hard to find?
A: IRL044 was released independently on Altan's own label, primarily for the Irish market, and was not widely distributed through international retail channels. It does not appear regularly in mainstream online marketplaces, which is why collectable copies attract interest from fans and Celtic music enthusiasts outside Ireland.
Q: Is the digipak case structurally sound despite the surface wear?
A: Yes. The scuffing and light creasing are cosmetic and confined to the outer white card surface — the hinges and inner tray are intact and fully functional. The spine text, which is the key identifying detail, remains clearly legible as shown in the listing photo.
Questions? We're happy to help. Send us a message and we'll respond promptly. If you'd like additional photos — such as a closer view of the disc surface, the booklet interior, or the spine detail — just ask and we'll provide them.
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