As lovers of all things Southern Appalachian, Sweeney’s were far from your average ‘60s ballad group, as was evident when former Eire Apparent and future Wings man Henry McCullough joined them for a spell on – the traitors! – electric guitar.
Today’s equally eclectic line-up comprises Andy Irvine, Johnny Moynihan and Terry Woods who’s on Christmas show duty again this year with The Pogues.