Horslips, the

Irish ‘Celtic Rock’ band of the 1970s. They were the first band ever to combine traditional music and instruments with rock music. They formed in 1970 and used aspects of Irish mythology as themes for their songs. They were very much part of the rock culture current in the Western world at the time, releasing ‘concept’ albums, but they did expose a young urban generation of Irish youth to traditional Irish music. By the end of their career in 1979 they had moved away from much of their traditional material but will perhaps always be remembered for it. Important recordings are Happy to Meet Sorry to Part (1973) and The Book of Invasions – a Celtic Symphony (1977).