In May 1989, Sharon Shannon began work on her first album at Winkles Hotel Kinvara, Co Galway. The recording session lasted three days and featured guest appearances by some of the biggest names in Irish music.

In June later that same year, Sharon became a member of The Waterboys; toured and recorded with them for 18 months before returning to the album. By this time, she had become inspired by the variety of musical styles played by The Waterboys, resulting in a recording session vastly different from The Winkles Tapes.

The sessions went into storage for 30 years, unheard by the world. Since then, Sharon has enjoyed a prolific career releasing 10 studio albums, 4 live albums, and hit singles with Mundy, Imelda May, Dessie O’Halloran and Damien Dempsey.

Sharon was prompted to return to the Winkles Recordings in early 2019. Now, they will be released in two distinct parts starting with sixteen tracks from The Winkles Tapes (1989) releasing November 8th, 2019 . Then she will release a further 14 exclusive, tri-weekly tracks to follow that showcasing the wide and diverse scope of Sharon’s incredible 30-year musical journey. All the tracks will then be compiled and on her 30th Anniversary album for release November 2020.

Congrats on 30  years Sharon!