www.eleanorshanley.com

Eleanor Shanley’s 2016 presented a busy year from the off, especially so on the back of her successful “Forever Young” album launch last autumn.  Spring was spent touring Canada with De Danann, and some very special Irish live shows including RTE Radio 1’s open-air concert in O’Connell St. Dublin as part of the city’s 1916 Commemorations.  Eleanor was joined by close friends Mike Hanrahan (guitar and vocals) and Paul Kelly (mandolin and fiddle).  Eleanor comments “what a great honour, how could it be anything other than an honour to be involved in the 1916 Commemorations in Dublin.  A very memorable performance for all the right reasons”.
Earlier this month, Eleanor also performed at “Here’s To You, Ronnie Drew – A Celebration” in honour of her dear, dear friend in Vicar Street on September 2nd.

Spring 2017 will commence with a tour of Denmark. Eleanor was awarded The Danish Folk Music Award in 2015, a testament were it needed to her popularity in this market.  She is only the second Irish artist to receive this honour since its inception 20 years ago.

Ahead of 2017 though, Eleanor is thrilled to be hitting the Irish roads again for a series of dates from October through December.  “2015’s autumn / winter tour was such a success, I just had to do a tour this year also” said Eleanor.  She continued, “2017 is already shaping up to be a busy one.  I am really looking forward to heading back to Denmark for live shows.  I plan on some further Irish dates also, however, I will be heading back to studio to record my next album too.  It’s been a busy couple of years; I would not have it any other way.  I love performing, but time in studio can also be relaxing and feels rewarding too when complete! Indeed planning for this is very exciting too, especially when paralleled with a busy gigging schedule!”

To coincide with the announcement of these 2016 dates, Eleanor is sending a new single to radio, a double A side, of “Smile” and “Dragonflies” will signal the final singles to radio from Eleanor’s current album “Forever Young” ahead of the release of her new album in 2017.  “Smile” and “Dragonflies” are two of Eleanor’s all-time favourite songs, so she felt compelled to issue these ahead of starting the new record.
The album released in September 2015 continues to enjoy radio support across the country.  The first radio single, the Thom Moore classic “Gorgeous And Bright” was the most played song on RTE Radio 1 last summer, it also enjoyed great levels of airplay at Independent local radio nationally.
“Sail Away To The Sea”, sees Eleanor’s beautiful vocal being backed by the a stunning cocktail of melody that includes guitar, fiddle, accordian, percussion, double bass, dobro and Eleanor Quaine on backing vocals.

“Forever Young”, the album is available to buy across the country, together with itunes and amazon.  The album features twelve beautifully arranged and performed tracks in Eleanor’s inimitable style accompanied by some of her musician friends including Paul Kelly (mandolin, fiddle), Eamonn De Barra (keys, whistle), Martin Brunsden (double bass), Jim Higgins (drums), Frankie Lane (dobro & backing vocals), Damien Mullane (accordion) with string arrangements by Gavin Murphy. The album was recorded with the stunning Donogh Hennessy in Dingle late 2014.  Donogh also plays guitar on the record and Gavin Murphy added some beautiful string arrangements to a selection of tracks on the album.

Eleanor’s career has spanned over 20 years, and she still possesses a voice as pure and lyrical as the first day she stepped in front of a microphone with De Danann in 1990.  Renowned for her unique interpretation of Irish and Roots songs, Eleanor Shanley has been at the top of her profession since her first appearance with De Danann.  She recorded two critically acclaimed albums with them ‘A Jacket of Batteries’ and ‘Half Set in Harlem’.  While a member of De Danann she also toured Europe, Australia, China, Japan and the USA as well as taking part in several tours of Ireland.

Eleanor has worked with many great musicians through the years and recorded with everyone from Ronnie Drew, De Danann, The Dubliners, Sharon Shannon, Donal Lunny, to U2 and too many more both at home & internationally to mention here.   Eleanor was honoured as The Leitrim Person Of The Year Award, a title she is very proud.   One doesn’t have to search for long to discover the depth of how far this lady has traveled with her music both as a solo artist, and in collaboration with others or to see for yourself body of recorded music Eleanor has been involved with to date in her career.  “Forever Young” is her 14th album. Right now we are looking forward to the autumn / winter tour 2016 and the 15th album to come in 2017.

Additional notes

Danish Folk Music Prize 2015
“The main reason that the choice fell on the Irish skylark in 2015 is that she, throughout her career, has helped keep the folk music tradition alive.  Eleanor visited the festival for the first time in 1998 and has over the years been an esteemed artist at the festival.”

”Eleanor is a great ambassador and an inspiration for the Irish folk music scene that she represents in the most exquisite way”

Eleanor said on her return home following the presentation, “This is such an honour, since my first performance at the Skagen Festival in 1998, I have loved each return visit to the festival and each tour in the country.  To be given the honour of The Skagen Festival’s ‘Folk Music Prize 2015′, thrills me greatly, but also makes me proud of my relationship with the country and its folk music fans.”  Eleanor continued, “What makes the award even more special is that I am only the 2nd Irish artist since its inception in 1995 to be given the honour, alongside the wonderful Dubliners.”

Outstanding Achievement in the Arts
2013 - Eleanor was also presented with an award by Leitrim Co Council for Outstanding Achievement in the Arts
2014 – Announced as Leitrim Person of the Year
 - Eleanor is currently part of the Leitrim Music Residence program

Social Link: www.eleanorshanley.com | facebook.com/Eleanor.shanley | @EleanorShanley

TV / Radio Links
RTE Radio 1 Special (broadcast Sept 2015 & again March 27, 2016)
Listen here: http://www.rte.ie/radio1/in-session/

Late Late Show performance – October 2015
http://goo.gl/7s38Rt

RTE Radio 1 In Session (filmed by Christian Tierney)
Forever Young www.youtube.com/watch?v=iA7J1nEOlQI

Fleadh TV, TG4 2015 – Sligo
 (Accompaniment by Donogh Hennessy)  www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxiaW3DYoB8&feature=youtu.be

Announces autumn / winter tour for 2016
& Issues new double A Radio issue
the current album, ‘Forever Young’

Listen to “Smile” - goo.gl/XjBMni
Listen to ‘Dragonflies’ - goo.gl/idClBw
Friday, 21 October, The Pillar House, Ballinasloe, Co Galway
Saturday, 29 October, The Forge, Moycullen, Co Galway
Friday, 25 November, Kiloughternane Village Hall, Bagenalstown, Carlow
Saturday, 26 November, The Glen Theatre, Banteer, Co Cork
Friday, 9 December, The Unitarian Church, Dublin
Tickets in advance from tickets.ie
Friday, 16 December, The Dock, Carrick on Shannon
“Exquisite” & “Folk Roots of the highest order”  - Colm O’Hare, Hot Press
“Exquisitely beautiful” – Irish Music Magazine
“Gorgeous And Bright” – No 1 played song on RTE Radio 1, summer 2015