De Dannan, an Irish folk music group, was formed in 1975 by Frankie Gavin (fiddle), Alec Finn (guitar, bouzouki), Johnny "Ringo" McDonagh (bodhrán), and Charlie Piggott (banjo) following sessions at Hughes's Pub in Spiddal, County Galway. The band initially included Mickey Finn as a founding member and later added Dolores Keane on vocals. Their debut album, Dé Danann, was produced by Dónal Lunny and released on Polydor Records in 1975. In 1980, the group achieved a surprise hit single in Ireland with their instrumental cover of "Hey Jude". Throughout the 1980s, De Dannan released several notable albums including Song for Ireland (1983), Anthem (1985), and Ballroom (1987). The band's lineup changed frequently. In 2003, the band members went their separate ways, leading to a dispute over the use of the name De Dannan in 2009. In 2010, De Dannan released the album WonderWaltz. Dolores Keane died on March 16, 2026, at the age of 72.
