Heaven and Hell, and Castlepollard
Keith Fay’s band, Cruachan, may be the best-known Irish group you’ve never heard of. One of the originators of the folk-metal genre, Cruachan have fans all over the world, and their version of the Christy Moore classic Ride On has more than two million streams online.
The group was formed by Castlepollard resident Keith 30 years ago – when he was just 13. Inspired by the Celtic rock of Horslips, he decided to blend Irish folk music with elements of speed and death metal.
Now, after three decades and multiple personnel changes, Cruachan are still going strong and currently preparing for a gig at Dublin’s Lost Lane venue on 26 October.
Speaking to the Westmeath Examiner, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Keith says that the group’s journey to their current status as respected elders of the Irish metal scene has had its twists and turns.
“When we first came out, we were laughed at. ‘Tin whistle and heavy metal? Are you having a laugh? My dad likes tin whistle.’
“You know, we were just a subject of derision, but slowly that’s changed. Now, we are 30-something years at it. There’s a lot of respect there. We’re one of the only Irish metal bands from that period that have kept going.”
Cruachan have released nine studio albums, including last year’s The Living and the Dead, and 2002’s Folk-Lore, which was produced by the late Shane McGowan, who also contributed vocals to covers of two much-loved folk classics, Spancil Hill and Ride On.
The group also toured with McGowan’s band, The Popes, formed after he left The Pogues.
“We toured around Ireland with Shane and The Popes, as well as Damian Dempsey and Paddy Casey. The bill, believe it or not, was Paddy Casey, Damian Dempsey, Cruachan, and then Shane and The Popes.
“It was just a mad period. Our version of Ride On featuring Shane McGowan was our first time ever getting into the top 40 in Ireland. I will never forget walking into HMV back in the day with my mother, when it had singles, and seeing our single there at number 40.”
They may not be that well known in Ireland outside of their loyal fanbase, but Cruachan are probably the country’s most successful metal export.
“We have a tour of Japan next year and possibly a tour of South America. But it’s always tough to get media attention in Ireland. Hot Press have always featured us, given us a mention, but when the word ‘heavy metal’ is mentioned, a lot of people in Ireland and England kind of go, ‘whoa’. Meanwhile, the rest of Europe embraces it,” Keith says.
“You’ll see the top 10s in Sweden with Taylor Swift at number four and some extreme death metal band at number five. It’s absolutely mad different.”
“Our main audience has always been outside of Ireland, across Europe. Before the madness happened with Russia invading Ukraine, we played Russia almost 10 years in a row. No other Irish band, from U2 to Westlife to Thin Lizzy, have ever done that.
“We played the Hell and Heaven Festival in Mexico last year. Pantera, Judas Priest, and Slipknot were there. It’s insane. Some of the places we’ve ended up and the concerts we’ve played – fantastic.”
An IT professional by day, Keith relocated from his native Dublin last year to Castlepollard and works remotely. The transition to rural living has gone smoothly, and he has joined the village’s new Town Team, as well as the local Comhaltas branch.
“I can’t put it into words. I just feel brilliant, it’s fantastic. I wanted to get into the countryside. I could have gone anywhere, but I chose Castlepollard.
“At the first Town Team meeting, I gave everyone a bit of perspective. I said, ‘Guys, you’re used to where you live, but I chose to come here for a reason. This is a beautiful part of the country.’”
A bus is going from Castlepollard, via Mullingar, for Cruachan’s gig in Lost Lane on 26 October. To book a seat, call Rosaleen on 086 240 6473.