Tara Music
Irish record label specializing in traditional, folk, contemporary orchestral, and related Irish music.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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History
Tara Music was founded in Ireland by Jack Fitzgerald and John Cook in the early 1970s, initially operating under the name Tara Records. Its first release was Christy Moore's Prosperous. Moore was not yet widely known when the album was issued, making the release an early example of the label's role in documenting artists before they reached broader recognition. A considerable interval followed before the company developed a larger release programme. The label became increasingly visible through its association with the Irish folk and traditional-music revival. In the early 1980s, Tara issued two albums by Planxty, After the Break and The Woman I Loved So Well. It also released Moore's The Iron Behind the Velvet and Live in Dublin, along with Clannad's Crann Úll and Fuaim. Further releases by Stockton's Wing added to a catalogue centered on Irish musicians who combined traditional repertory with modern arrangements and performance practices. Tara also pursued projects with a broader orchestral and contemporary-compositional character. In the late 1970s, it recorded Shaun Davey's The Brendan Voyage, a work in which uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn performed as soloist with a full orchestra. The album played an important role in establishing Davey as a composer of contemporary orchestral music with international standing. Tara later released additional Davey works, including The Pilgrim, Granuaile, and The Relief of Derry Symphony. Davey's recordings commonly featured O'Flynn and singer Rita Connolly, both of whom also recorded solo material for Tara with Davey involved as producer. The label's catalogue preserves several strands of musical development that were later associated with Riverdance. Before Riverdance's first performance at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994, related musical ideas had developed through Irish folk ensembles, instrumental experimentation, and large-scale composition. Andy Irvine introduced Eastern European musical influences and time signatures to Planxty after returning from the Balkans. Irvine and Davy Spillane later recorded East Wind, produced by Bill Whelan. Tara also released Whelan's The Seville Suite and The Connemara Suite. Other releases, including Spillane's Out of the Air and Pipedreams and Moving Hearts' The Storm, contained combinations of instruments and musical approaches recognizable in the broader development of Irish Celtic crossover. In its later period, Tara Music increasingly handled releases by self-produced artists. Its role could include distribution together with press and publicity coordination rather than complete ownership or production of every recording. Artists associated with this phase include Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, The Voice Squad, Zoë Conway, Máirtín O'Connor, and Michelle Lally. Across its history, Tara Music has consequently occupied a distinctive position between specialist record label, distributor, and promoter of Irish musical culture. The available reference material does not establish a precise incorporation date, headquarters, ownership structure, current leadership, or present operating status.
- 1994
Riverdance reaches the Eurovision stage
[1]Riverdance makes its first performance at the Eurovision Song Contest. Tara's earlier catalogue is described as containing musical strands that contributed to the wider development of this phenomenon.
Tara Records is established
[1]Jack Fitzgerald and John Cook establish the Irish recording label later known as Tara Music in the early 1970s.
Prosperous becomes the label's first release
[1]Tara issues Christy Moore's Prosperous as its first release, before Moore had achieved wide recognition.
The Brendan Voyage is recorded
[1]In the late 1970s, Tara records Shaun Davey's The Brendan Voyage with Liam O'Flynn as uilleann-pipe soloist and a full orchestra.
Tara expands its early-1980s catalogue
[1]The label releases important albums by Planxty, Christy Moore, Clannad, and Stockton's Wing.
Products and positioning
An Irish specialist label focused on traditional and contemporary music, with a catalogue connecting folk revival recordings, uilleann-pipe performance, orchestral composition, and Celtic crossover. In its later operations, it also supported self-produced artists through distribution, publicity, and press coordination.
Album
Prosperous
Christy Moore's Prosperous was Tara Music's first release. Issued when Moore was still largely unknown, the album became an early marker of the label's interest in documenting important Irish performers at formative stages of their careers.
Contemporary orchestral album
The Brendan Voyage
Shaun Davey's The Brendan Voyage combines contemporary orchestral writing with Liam O'Flynn's uilleann-pipe performance. Tara's recording of the work helped introduce Davey as an internationally significant contemporary orchestral composer and led to further related releases.
Traditional and folk albums
Planxty catalogue
Tara released Planxty albums including After the Break and The Woman I Loved So Well. The recordings represent the group's role in modernizing Irish traditional music through ensemble playing, new arrangements, and a broader range of instrumental influences.
Orchestral composition
Bill Whelan suite recordings
Tara issued Bill Whelan's The Seville Suite and The Connemara Suite. These works illustrate the label's interest in larger-scale contemporary compositions alongside its traditional and folk catalogue.
Distribution and label services
Self-produced artist releases
In later years, Tara Music made recordings by self-produced artists available through its label. Its services could include distribution and coordination of press and publicity. Associated artists include Frankie Gavin and De Dannan, The Voice Squad, Zoë Conway, Máirtín O'Connor, and Michelle Lally.
Recent events
Tara Music releases Prosperous, Christy Moore's debut album for the label[1]
Product launch
The label's first release was Prosperous by Christy Moore, who was still relatively unknown at the time.
Tara expands its catalogue with major Irish folk and traditional releases[1]
Product generation
During the early 1980s, Tara released albums by Planxty, Christy Moore, Clannad, and Stockton's Wing, establishing a substantial catalogue in Irish traditional and folk music.
The Brendan Voyage broadens Tara's catalogue into contemporary orchestral music[1]
Product launch
Tara recorded Shaun Davey's The Brendan Voyage, featuring Liam O'Flynn with a full orchestra. The project helped launch Davey's career as a contemporary orchestral composer.
Sources1 sources
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