The Bothy Band reunites for special TG4 doc airing Easter Sunday

TG4 will air a special docu/concert of The Bothy Band, considered Ireland’s ‘forefathers’ of Irish traditional music, on Sunday, March 31. 

The program, which tells the story of one of Ireland’s foremost traditional music bands and their enormous contribution to music, will see the band performing together for the first time in almost forty years.

For those of a certain age, The Bothy Band is synonymous with the ‘birth’ of trad and folk music worldwide, and that generation of all things Celtic will relish the prospect of once again seeing and hearing this unique group of musical talent this Easter Sunday. 

Formed in 1975, The Bothy Band traveled extensively to many countries in their short three-year existence, leaving a musical legacy which still resonates and influences many [if not all] of the present day traditional and folk musicians not only in Ireland but throughout the world.

The documentary follows surviving members Matt Molloy, Dónal Lunny, Tríona Ní Dhomhnaill, Kevin Burke, Paddy Glackin and Paddy Keenan in their coming together for the first time since 1978 to rehearse and reflect on the music they made together and the impact it had on each of their lives and those of former members.

This one-off, never to be repeated performance-led spectacular concert, shot in Dublin’s inner city where the band first performed, will be layered with interviews, behind-the-scenes rehearsals and never before seen personal archives from friends, family and fans.

Playing ‘in the round’, surrounded by an audience which included such notable musicians as Paul Brady, Moya Brennan, Dr. Liz Doherty and actors Patrick Bergin and Stephen Rea, the band have recreated and performed a full repertoire of music and song which we are sure that the viewers at home will be excited to see and hear. This observational documentary will also be offering the music choices and personal interviews captured in the filming of the rehearsals over the five days prior to the concert.  

The show will elicit new information and insight from band members, personal stories of their own music and cultural influences, what brought them together and continues through the rise, demise and fall-out as the band went its different, spectacularly successful ways and how they now reunite for a special performance and poignant opportunity to reflect. 

"An Bothy Band" premieres on TG4 on Sunday, March 31 at 9.30 pm.