Govannen

Govannen - one of the best Celtic music bands in the UK, blending jigs & reels with traditional & contemporary Irish songs.

Albums -
Ranging from atmospheric Celtic chill-out music to live pub recordings, Govannen have sold over 10,000 albums worldwide. Two of their albums have won awards in the USA.

Ceilidhs & Barn Dances - Govannen are the perfect choice for ceilidhs and barn dances for weddings, functions and parties where the emphasis is on fun.

"Govannen play with passion, artistry and an easy going good humour, each in good measure for a night to remember" - Time Out


Govannen -
Dan Britton - vocals, guitar, bodhran
Adele McMahon - violin, vocals
Chris Conway - keyboards, Irish whistles, vocals
Roger Wilson - violin, vocals

+
Ray Jane - dance caller, flute, tin whistles



Concerts
Ceilidhs & Barn Dances
.

Albums
click on covers for info and to hear soundclips
studio songs and tunes
live songs & tunes
 
Xmas instrumental
Govannen - As I Roved Out
Govannen As I Roved Out square
Govannen Celtic Christmas
studio instrumental - the elements series
digital single
Govannen - Celtic Air

Govannen & Bridget McMahon - Sweet Marie


other albums that feature Govannen
France Ellul & Govannen
Live Charity Concert inc. Govannen
Bridget McMahon & Govannen
Bridget McMahon & Govannen
Chris Conway & Govannen


bridget mcmahaon cd celtic woman

Live Dates
January 2024
 
19th Fri
-
Govannen - Burns Night, Oakham
private party
20th Sat
-
Govannen - Burns Night, Market Overton
private party
26th Fri
-
Govannen - Burns Night, Oakham
private party
27th Sat
-
Govannen - private party, Hinchley
private party
February 2024
 
15th Thu
-
Govannen - private party, Gaddesby
private party
23rd Fri
-
Govannen - The Falcon Hotel, Uppingham
concert
March 2024
 
8th Fri
-
Govannen - Welcome Cafe, Hollands Nursuries, near Melton
concert
9th Sat
-
Govannen - Cropston Pumping Station
private party
15th Fri
-
Govannen - St Patricks concert & Irish Stew - The Grange, Asdfordby Hill - SOLD OUT
concert
16th Sat
-
Govannen - Eye Kettleby Lakes
private party
17th Sun
3pm
Govannen - The Boat Inn, Melton Mowbray
concert
23rd Sat
-
Govannen - The Vipers Rugby Club, Whetstone
private party
April 2024
13th Sat
-
Govannen - ceilidh, Northants
private party
27th Sat
-
Govannen - Cottage Concert, Old, Northamptonshire
concert
28th Sun
4.30pm
Govannen -The Donkey, Leicester - FREE
concert
May 2024
4th Sat
-
Govannen - private party, Leicester
private party
10th Fri
-
Chris Conway & Dan Britton - Kontra Roots, Earls Barton Working Men's Club, Northants
Chris & Dan
12th Sun
pm
Govannen - CeltFest & Kelly's Heroes - The Victoria Hotel, Beeston
concert
18th Sat
-
Govannen - private party, Kirby Bellars
private party
June 2024
1st Sat
1.30pm
Govannen - private party, Corby
private party
5th Wed
-
Chris Conway & Dan Britton + Bob Cheevers - The Musician, Leicester
Chris & Dan
8th Sat
-
Govannen - ceilidh - Caldecott
ceilidh
14th Fri
7.30pm
Chris Conway - ArtBeat Festival, Fingerprints Delicafe, Leicester
Chris
22nd Sat
-
Govannen - ceilidh - Caldecott
ceilidh
28th Fri
-
Govannen - private party, Birstall
private party
30th Sun
pm
Govannen - The White Hart, Melton Mowbray
concert
July 2024
6th Sat
1-5pm
Govannen - Somerby Fete
concert
12th Fri
-
Govannen - White Lion, Whissendine
concert
13th Sat
-
Govannen - Eastwell Village Hall
concert
August 2024
4th Sun
pm
Govannen - private party, Aylestone
private party
25th Sun
4.30pm
Govannen - The Wharf, Welford
concert
September 2024
21st Sat
3pm
Govannen - Melton Beer Festival - Livestock Market, Melton Mowbray
concert
21st Sat
-
Govannen - Harby Church Beer Festival
concert
28th Sat
-
Govannen - charity ceilidh - St Mary's Church, Melton Mowbray
ceilidh
October 2024
November 2024
16th Sat
3pm
Dan Britton & Kervannen - Ceilidh, Morwenstowe
Dan
17th Sun
-
Dan Britton & Kervannen- Clovelly Herring Festival
Dan
December 2024


January 2025
24th Fri
-
Govannen - Burns Night, Oakham
private party
February 2025
March 2025
14th Fri
-
Govannen - St Patricks concert & Irish Stew - The Grange, Asdfordby Hill
concert
15th Sat
-
Govannen - Eye Kettleby Lakes
private party
April 2025
May 2025
25th Sat
-
Govannen - private party, nr Daventry
private party
June 2025
July 2025
August 2025
September 2025
October 2025
November 2025
December 2025


for Chris Conway's gigs go here - for Dan Britton's gigs go here

Govannen News
21st September 2023

Govannen & Bridget McMahon - Sweet Marie
-
new cover digital single - 30 years of Govannen!

To celebrate 30 years of Govannen, we are releasing a new recording of The Hothouse Flowers song "Sweet Marie". Founder member Bridget McMahon joins us on it. hear it on Spotify

Why this song?

When Chris Conway & Dan Britton first met Bridget & Adele McMahon, the sisters were in their teens, singing this song in sweet harmony, at an open mic at The Royal Mail pub in Leicester. In 1993 Dan & the sisters formed a band to play at Molly O'Grady's and other Irish pubs & clubs in the city. They didn't have a band name but were sometimes called "The McMahons".

At bigger occasions, like St Patrick's Night where a bigger sound was needed Chris joined them on keyboards, Irish whistles & vocals. When Chris was asked to make a Celtic album for Paradise Records, he brought the others on board, and came up with the band name Govannen, after a Celtic god. That album was Healing Waters. More albums followed, for the label and for themselves, and Govannen were away!

Recently, by chance, Bridget ran into Hothouse Flowers leader, Liam Ó Maonlaí on a train! She told him she and her sister used to sing Sweet Marie, and Liam said he'd like to hear it. So we recorded it, and and we will send it to him!

Bridget & Adele McMahon - vocals
Dan Britton - acoustic & electric guitar, mandolin, bass, harmony vocals
Chris Conway - piano, organ, harmony vocals
Roger Wilson - violin
Damon Clarridge - drums

Produced by Chris Conway & Dan Britton.


20th March 2023
Govannen's St Patrick's Vlog 2023
video
footage from Govannen's St Patrick's weekend in and around Melton Mowbray at The Grange, Aasforby Hill, Eye Kettleby Lakes, & The Boat Inn.


17th March 2021
original govannen line-up make video together for st patricks
video
The original Govannen line-up made a video using the Acapella app! Playing Spancil Hill - Dan, Adele, Chris & from Ireland, Adele's sister Bridget!.




Ceilidhs & Barn Dances
Govannen ceilidh

Ceilidhs

Govannen also can provide Ceilidh Dances with our expert dance caller Neil Rabjohn for weddings, functions and parties. The focus on our ceilidhs is fun and informality - dance experience is not necessary and Neil will clearly guide you through the steps.

...and when you've had enough Ceilidh dancing...
As a break from the Ceilidh dancing or as a great way to round the evening off, Govannen can play a range of popular songs for everyone to have a bop.


Testimonials
Govannen  at The Musician


Wedding 14th September 2019
So sorry it’s taken me SO LONG to write to you to say a huge thank you.
Having done a fair few ceilidhs, we really wanted to make sure we picked a charismatic band and caller- you guys nailed it. So many of our guests who don’t usually dance were up on the floor, and the photos are brilliant! I only wish we’d had a bigger dance floor for everyone. - Victoria & Aled


Wow!! What a party on Saturday!  I loved every minute!  The band were brilliant!!! - so many praising comments from my guests! - Thank you SO much for treating me so specially and for your enthusiasm, creating a fab and fun atmosphere!  Can't wait to do it again! Love and thanks to you. -
Diane, Tilsworth



"Thank you so much – I had such a great time.  Everyone loved you – the mix of music was perfect
. Thank you all so much for a really memorable evening" - Donna, Bedfordshire


"Just wanted to say a really huge thank you to Govannen for the live music at our party.
It was a fantastic night - everyone throroughly enjoyed themsleves and the band contributed immensley to the atmosphere and fun we all had. They were brilliant in every way. Discreet setting up, flexible in their timing and responsive to the moods and tastes of our guests. I received so many positive comments about the night and most mentioned how impressed they were with the quality of the musicians. There was a splattering of Irish among the guests too, who enjoyed every minute! The band played some great choices of music and certainly got everyone up on the dance floor, which is what I had hoped for."
- Sally and Andy, Rutland


"We just wanted to say a big thank you to you and the rest of Govannen for helping to make our wedding day so special. Everybody loved the band and the music/dancing was everything we wanted and more" - Jo & Dan, Rutland.


"We are back from honeymoon now and I just wanted to thank you for making our wedding so special. We have had so many people tell us how great they thought you were" - Emma, Leicestershire


"I wanted to get in touch and say thank you again for the fantastic music & service you provided during our wedding .... was really pleased at how much everyone enjoyed the music, and the dancing - we have had lots of positive feedback. John deserves a medal I think for managing to whip everyone into (some sort! of) shape. We had a lovely day, but you definitely made our evening."
Heather & Tim, Bedfordshire



Links
Bookings

Dan Britton
Chris Conway
Chris Conway & Dan Britton page
Oblong Music
Paradise Music

For bookings please email us with date, time, place and the type of event - eg ceilidh, concert, wedding, etc...

Booked us and would like a Govannen blank A4 poster? - download it here

You can also contact us through our agents -
DGMusic Agency
Bandsandmusicians agency
Counties Folk Agency



Videos


use playlist to see more videos
 


Photos


Govannen
A Year In Photos
Govannen - at Thornton Community Centre - and with guest Uiliean piper Michael Coughlan at Barnsdale Hall Hotel - December - 2017
Govannen @ Thornton Community Cente . Govannen + special guest
Govannen Leics Wildlife Hospital Barn Dancel - The Big Circle - October 2017
Govannen - Leicest Hospital Barn Dance

Govannen @ Melton Beer Festival - the traditional hasty meal photo - September 2017
Govannen @ Melton Beer Festival 2017 . Govannen @ Melton Beer Festival 2017 .

Govannen @ Bradgate Folk & Acoustic Picnic - Bradgate Park - August 2017 - photos thanks to Mark Kent
. .Govanenn @ Bradgate Folk & Acoustic Picnic 2017 .Govanenn @ Bradgate Folk & Acoustic Picnic 2017 .Govanenn @ Bradgate Folk & Acoustic Picnic 2017 . Govanenn @ Bradgate Folk & Acoustic Picnic 2017 Govanenn @ Bradgate Folk & Acoustic Picnic 2017 .

Govannen @ Don Paddy's, Uppingham - August 2017
. . . Govannen @ Don Paddy's Uppingham

Govannen out and about- Great Easton, White Lion Whissendine, Meriden- July 2017
Govannen @ Great Easton . Govannen @ Great Easton . Govannen -  White Lion, Whissendine . Govannen Meriden Wedding ceilidh

Govannen - Tea With A Twist - Launde Abbey - July 2017 - photos by G
Govannen - Launde Abbey 2017 . Govannen - Launde Abbey 2017 . Govannen - Launde Abbey 2017

Govannen out and about @ The Royal Horseshoes Waltham, Caldecott Barn Dance, Thurlby wedding ceilidh, Owthorpe Village, Sileby birthday ceilidh - June 2017

Govannen @ The Royal Horseshoes . Govannen @ Caldecott . Govannen @ Caldecott . Govannen @ Owthorpe Village Hall . Govannen @ Owthorpe Village Hall . Govannen @ Thurlby .

Govannen - Leics Animal Hospital Barn Dance, Countesthrope - May 2017
Govannen - Leics Animal Hospotal Barn Dance

Govannen @ a rainy Kelmarsh Country Fair - April 2017 - thanks to Michael Buxton for the photos
Govannen @ Kelmarsh Country Fair . Chris Conway - Govannen @ Kelmarsh Country Fair . Chris Conway - Govannen @ Kelmarsh Country Fair

Govannen out and about photos & video
-
Husbands Bosworth Village Hall, St Patrick's night @ The Grange Asfordby Hill, The Noel Arms, Melton Mowbray & Rothley Court - March 2017
Husbands Bosworth Village Hall .Govannen @ The Grange - St Patricks 2017 .
Govannen @ The Noels Arms,
.Govannen @ The Noels Arms, .Govannen @ Rothley Court


Govannen @ Countesthrope Village Hall Leics, Dodmoor House Northants, & The Boat Pub Melton Mowbray - February 2017
Govannen - at Countesthorpe Village Hall.Govannen - at Dodmoor House .Govannen - at The Boat, Melton Mowbray

Govannen