Sétanta formed in the mid 70's from the session scene in Glasgow and Lanarkshire and, with a number
of changes in line-up during the years since, was still playing at Folk Clubs and Festivals until 2006.
As well as playing throughout the UK, Sétanta toured extensively in Norway, Sweden, Denmark,
Germany and Italy.
The group sound was firmly rooted in a combination of Uilléan Pipes, played by David Munro,
the Hammered Dulcimer and Concertina playing of Jack Bethel , the Irish Traditional singing of
Colin McAllister, Mike Berry on Fiddle, Stewart McIsaac on Bouzouki and at one point,
Donald MacInnes on Flute and Maggie MacInnes , Gaelic song / Clarsach.
Hunter McConnell, Guitar/Vocal, joined Sétanta in 1988 and brought Scottish songs,
particularly Burns songs, to the bands repertoire.
Gearoid O Laoghaire, a fiddle player from Cork, joined the band for several trips. After Mike and
Hunter left, two Irish musicians, Finbar Naughton, Fiddle / Mandolin, and Tony Campbell,
Bouzouki / Vocal, joined Sétanta for a couple of years.
Latterly it was three of the founder members, Dave, Jack and Colin, playing as a trio,
who were the carriers of the name.
The band recorded two albums, "Sétanta" in 1988 and "Crossing the Borderlines" with Ian Walker (Fellside FECD88).
They also recorded two "Sounds Gaelic" programmes for Scottish Television and
several "Travelling Folk" programmes for BBC Radio Scotland.
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