Horslips

Horslips
Horslips performing at the 2014 Black Sheep Festival in Germany
Background information
OriginDublin, Ireland
GenresCeltic rock, progressive rock
Years active1970–1980
2004–2006
2009-2012
Past membersEamon Carr
Barry Devlin
John Fean
Jim Lockhart
Charles O'Connor
Ray Fean
Gus Guest
Declan Sinnott
Websitehorslips.ie

Horslips are an Irish Celtic rock band that compose, arrange and perform songs frequently inspired by traditional Irish airs, jigs and reels. The group are regarded as "founding fathers of Celtic rock" for their fusion of traditional Irish music with rock music and went on to inspire many local and international acts. They formed in 1970 and 'retired' in 1980 for an extended period. The name originated from a spoonerism on The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse which became "The Four Poxmen of The Horslypse".

Although Horslips had limited commercial success when the band was playing in the 1970s, there was a revival of interest in their music in the late 1990s and they came to be regarded as one of the defining bands of the Celtic rock genre. The band resumed activity between 2004 and 2012, playing a small number of shows and producing releases, both live and studio. They played their final shows in August of 2012.