Essential discs

Various Artists: Irish Rock: Ireland's Beat Groups 1964-1969Hardly definitive as it doesn't feature anything by the Creatures or Granny's Intentions but there are tracks by the Greenbeats, the Strangers and the Orange Machine. Released in 1993 on the Sequel label but out of print. You might track down a copy in a second-hand shop or at a record fair.

Granny's Intentions: Honest Injun  Gary Moore on guitar alongside Johnny Duhan and John Ryan, this traces the band's evolution from a psychedelic pop outfit to a more country-rock type sound. Unfortunately, it doesn't contain any of the band's three singles from the late 1960s. It was released in 1970 on the Lemon label and is still available.

Eire Apparent: SunriseThis should have been Eire Apparent's breakthrough album. Released in 1969, there was a big deal made out of the fact that Jimi Hendrix produced it, but it didn't live up to expectations. It is available on One Way Records.