Ireland's hottest acoustic group Lunasa debuts at Quick Center | Press Releases

Image: Lúnasa Ireland's hottest new acoustic group, Lúnasa, will make waves with their exciting, innovative Irish music when they debut at Fairfield University's Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts on Friday, Feb. 9, at 8 p.m. The all-star musicians are veterans of such top Irish bands as the Waterboys, Sharon Shannon and Moving Cloud.

Firmly rooted in Irish tradition, Lúnasa (pronounced LOO-nasa) is poised for greatness. In January 1999, they took New England by storm during a four-day promotional tour of the northeast, laying the groundwork for the release of their first studio recording and subsequent tours of the United States and Canada. Following the success of their second tour of North America in May 1999, Lúnasa signed a worldwide record deal with Green Linnet Records who then released their new studio album "Otherworld."

Not the newcomers they may appear to be, the members of Lúnasa are, and have been for many years, the backbone of several of the great Irish "Super Groups" of our time. They include: Trevor Hutchinson on bass (formerly of the Waterboys); Donogh Hennessy on guitar (formerly of the Sharon Shannon Band); Kevin Crawford on flute (formerly of Moving Cloud); Sean Smyth on fiddle and Cillian Vallely on pipes. In this unique combination they have pushed their considerable talents to the fore.

The group takes its name from the ancient Irish god of light and genius, Lúgh. Known for his mastery of all the arts, Lúgh was a master craftsman not only as a harpist, but was equally skilled as a warrior, poet, magician, carpenter and physician. His achievements earned him a place at Tara, the ancient seat of the High Irish Kings. As a musician he had the ability to move the company at Tara to tears or great joy. Lúgh's feast day is celebrated August 1 and he is remembered in the Gaelic word for August, Lúnasa.

Tickets for the concert are $25 with discounts available for students, seniors and groups. For information or tickets call (203) 254-4010 or toll free at 1-877-ARTS-396.