Gael Linn, the Irish language and cultural organisation now in its 70th year, is seeking submissions from the public on the future of its renowned record label.

The label was established in the late 1950s as an off-shoot of the organisation’s work with the Irish language, but it became a hugely significant traditional Irish music label with seminal recordings by artists such as Seán Ó Riada, Willie Clancy, Skara Brae, Tony MacMahon and Noel Hill, Mary Bergin, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy, the Ó Beaglaoich family, Joe Cooley, Clannad, Paddy Glackin, Mícheál Ó Suilleabháin, Nóirín Ní Riain, Macalla and many more. Its catalogue today comprises over 300 recordings and its most recent releases include albums by Gráinne Holland, Téada, IMLÉ, Sadhbh Rosenstock, Gatehouse and music from the TG4 Bláth na hÓige series.

Gael Linn is now undertaking a public consultation on how the label should develop into the future.

‘The true value of the material is incalculable either monetarily or culturally,’ said CEO Réamonn Ó Ciaráin. 

Work continues to bring this extensive catalogue to national and international audiences on a wide variety of digital platforms. It is Gael Linn’s intention to make all the catalogue available on such platforms in due course. Musically the Gael Linn label remains one of Ireland’s great success stories. The organisation wishes to continue developing its iconic label.

Ó Ciaráin said that Gael Linn is currently in the process of carrying out a review of its music label operations and would like to hear from the music community and the public regarding how they would like to see the Gael Linn label develop.

Submissions can be made by email, in Irish or English, by 28 July by emailing eolas [at] gael-linn.ie.

For more on Gael Linn, visit www.gael-linn.ie.