Ex De Danann singer Eleanor Shanley heads west this week, playing two nights in The Crane Bar. Hailing from Keshcarrigan in County Leitrim, Eleanor grew up listening to music. Her mother's family were all very musical and childhood was spent learning all kinds of ballads and Irish traditional songs from her extended family.

Some years after moving to Dublin, she was lucky enough to be introduced to De Danann by Frank Cooney and Ned O'Shea. Dolores Keane had just left the band and two weeks after meeting Frankie Gavin and Alec Finn, she saw was touring Wales, Finland and Sweden with the band. For the next five years she toured the world with De Danann and recorded two albums with them, 'Jacket of Batteries' and 'Half Set in Harlem'.

Working with De Danann was a life-changing step for Eleanor and one she appreciates. "I learned so much about music and the music business in the five years. It's a time in my life I have very fond memories of and am eternally grateful for. I am happy also that I have remained friends with the band and have returned from time to time to play various gigs with them and also with Alec Finn and Frankie Gavin as solo artists."

Eleanor was lucky enough to tour Germany and Ireland with the late great Ronnie Drew, has re-united with De Danann for various gigs in China and the US and has recently been touring Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Denmark and, of course, Ireland with Frankie Lane (of Fleadh Cowboys infamy) and Paul Kelly.

Eleanor plays two nights at The Crane Bar with Frankie Lane and Paul Kelly tonight, Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 March. Tickets for both shows are available now from The Crane bar on 091-587419 or from www.thecranebar.com.

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