Solas (Irish: light) was an American musical group officially formed in 1996, playing Irish traditional music as well as original compositions influenced by the country, rock, and americana genres. With several members who are prominent performers, both solo and in other constellations in the irish traditional music scene, Solas has been described as a "Supergroup". Their name comes from an Irish word meaning "light". At the time, the band was made up of Séamus Egan, who had already recorded two solo albums as well as a soundtrack to a film; Winifred Horan, a member of Cherish the Ladies; John Doyle, previously a member of Susan McKeown & The Chanting House with Egan; Karan Casey and John Williams. In June 2008 the band announced Mairead Phelan had joined the group as their new singer. In September 2010, Niamh Varian-Barry from Cork replaced Mairead Phelan as lead singer of Solas. On July 11, 2013, they announced on their Facebook page that Niamh was leaving the band and that Noriana Kennedy would be replacing her. The band announced an indefinite hiatus in early 2017. Discography 1996 — Solas 1997 — Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers 1998 — The Words That Remain 2000 — The Hour Before Dawn 2002 — The Edge of Silence 2003 — Another Day 2005 — Waiting for an Echo 2006 — Reunion: A Decade of Solas 2008 — For Love and Laughter 2010 — The Turning Tide 2013 — Shamrock City 2016 — All These Years References Further reading External links Celtic music groups Irish folk musical groups Musical groups established in 1996 Irish-American culture in Philadelphia Irish-American culture in Pennsylvania