They are among the most lively, vibrant and exciting bands to have emerged from Cape Breton in the last couple of decades. They have enchanted audiences around the world with their captivating vocals, harmonies and versatile musicianship. But the really good news is that they will be performing in the Highlands at this year's Blas Festival.

The Barra MacNeils grew up in the heart of Gaelic tradition in Sydney Mines on Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. In 1986, the four siblings - brothers, Sheumas, Stewart and Kyle and sister, Lucy - recorded their self titled debut album while still attending University and working towards their degrees in music. They were voted Group of the Year at the 2001 East Coast Music Awards and nominated for a 2001 Juno award for Roots/Traditional Group of the Year for their CD "Racket In The Attic". Their first album with Polygram, "Closer to Paradise" garnered outstanding critical reviews, awards and earned The Barra MacNeils their first gold album. "The Traditional Album" followed in 1994, staying close to the roots of the Celtic music the Barra MacNeils use as a foundation. Their success continued with the release of "The Question" (1995) and the release of a compilation of the groups musical highlights "Until Now" (1997). In 2000, The Barra MacNeils released "The Christmas Album", which led to numerous sold out concert appearances throughout Canada and the United States. Their much-anticipated new CD "All At Once" features the addition of siblings, Boyd and Ryan MacNeil, delivering an exhilarating and rejuvenated sound. Their success continues, making the Barra MacNeils virtually synonymous with high quality Celtic music which is both original and innovative.

During the Blas Festival, which runs from 2nd to the 10th September, the Barra MacNeils will play at four venues in the Highlands including Wick in the north and Ardnamurchan in the south. Brian O hEadhra, Artistic Director for Blas, is particularly pleased to have been able to confirm the Barra MacNeils for this year's event. "Blas is a new festival whose aim to celebrate the traditional music of the Highlands. Within the festival, Gaelic and youth will have a special place. So also will performances by international artistes whose musical culture complements our own. And who better to blaze this 'international' trail than the Barra MacNeils. Their musical background in Cape Breton, where Scottish Gaelic culture has made a huge impression, means that they will strike a chord immediately with audiences here. Gaelic songs are part of their repertoire and, of course, their music has an indelible Gaelic 'blas'. They will be a great success in the Highlands and the Blas organisers are really pleased they could fit a trip to the 'old country' into their busy schedule."

Speaking on behalf of the group, Stewart MacNeil expressed their delight that they have been asked to participate in the inaugural Blas Festival. "It's such a treat to be taking part in this brand new festival. The Highlands are always such a great place to share some music and meet friends new and old".

The Barra MacNeils are:-

• Sheumas MacNeil - keyboards, piano, bodhran, fiddle, bazoki, vocals
• Stewart MacNeil - vocals, accordion, tin whistle, flute, bazoki, guitar, step dancing
• Boyd MacNeil - mandolin, fiddle, guitar, banjo, percussion, step dancing
• Ryan MacNeil - keyboards, percussion, uileann pipes, tin whistle, bodhran, step dancing
• Kyle MacNeil - vocals, guitar, violin, mandolin
• Lucy MacNeil - vocals, bodhran, Celtic harp, fiddle, step dancing
  

Clann Nìl Bharraigh agus Blas

Thogadh buill a' chomhlain Chanadianaich, na Barra MacNeils ann an sgìre gu math Gaidhealach faisg air Sydney Mines ann an Ceap Breatainn. Chaidh a' chiad chlàr aca fhoillseachadh bho chionn fichead bliadhna nuair a bha iad fhathast nan oileanaich chiùil. Tha iad air soirbheachadh math bhon uair sin agus bha na Barra MacNeils air an comharrachadh mar Chomlan na Bliadhna ann ann 2001.

Leis an sin tha an fhèis Blas air leth toilichte gu bheil an comhlan ainmeil seo deònach tighinn a-nall a dh'Alba gus pàirt a ghabhail ann am fèis na bliadhna. Tha iad gu bhith a nochadh ann an ceithir cheàrnaidhean dhen Ghaidhealtachd eadar Inbhir Uige mu thuath agus Aird nam murchan mu dheas.

Sann as an aon teaghlach a tha buill nam Barra MacNeils - Seùmas, Kyle, Lucy, Ryan, Boyd agus Stiùbhart. A-rèir coltais, tha iad air an dòigh gun d'fhuair iad fiachadh chun na fèise. "Se adbhar toileachais a th'ann dhuinn uile gu bheil cothrom againn pàirt a ghabhail anns an fhèis tur ùr seo" thuirt Stiùbhart, "tha e an còmhnuidh math a bhith a-measg seann chàirdean agus, gu dearbha, feadhainn ùra cuideachd air Ghaidhealtachd."

A' bruidhinn as leth na fèise, rinn Brian Ó hEadhra toileachas ris an naidheachd seo. "Se fear de dh'amasan na fèise a dhèanamh cinnteach gum biodh luchd-ciùil bho dhùthchannan eile aig a bheil dàimh ri dualchas na Gaidhealtachd air an riochdachadh aig an fhèis. Mar sin tha e ga rireabh iomchaidh gu bheil na Barra MacNeils, teaghlach a bha air am bogadh ann an dualchas nan Gàidheal fo thùs, a tighinn gu fèis na bliadhna. Còrdaidh iad gu mòr ri muinntir na sgìre agus is iongantach mur a còrd Blas ruitha-san cuideachd."