Ten years after they last toured, Clannad are to perform in Manchester next week. We spoke to original member Noel Duggan about the decision to go back to performing live.

IT is perhaps fitting that a family celebration two years ago led to Clannad getting back together to embark on a major UK tour for the first time in 10 years.

For Clannad, which has led the way in taking traditional Irish music into the mainstream, has always been a family affair.

So appearing on stage at the Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday will be original members Moya and Ciaran Brennan, along with their uncles Noel and Padraig Duggan.

Guitarist Noel said: "We got together when my sister had her 50th birthday party in the local pub to play and enjoyed it so much we decided to rehearse together and do a few more gigs.

"We played the Celtic Connections festival recently and found out that there are so many people out there who want to hear our songs so we decided to do a full tour."

It is hard to believe that it is 35 years since the first Clannad album was released.

In the 1980s with songs like The Theme from Harry's Game and In A Lifetime, featuring U2's Bono, they became one of the most successful bands in the country, winning numerous accolade including a Brit Award and an Ivor Novello Award.

Across their 35 year career they have sold over 10 million records in all corners of the globe.

"Although we might not have been touring for 10 years we have been playing together from time time time in the local pub or at Christmas when all the family gets together," said Noel.

One member of the band who won't be touring is Moya's sister Enya, who left the band to persue her own solo career.

"She lives in a castle these days," said Noel, "and we don't see much of her."

The tour will be a provide a rare chance to see them performing material from across their entire groundbreaking career.

"We have always loved playing live - we'll play in front of two or three people in a pub," said Noel.

To coincide with the tour he has also produced an official history of the band - Moments In a Lifetime - which features photographs from the family albums which have never been seen before.

  • Clannad play the Bridgewater Hall, Manchester, on Tuesday. Contact the box office on 0161 907 9000.