One of Ireland's best-loved traditional bands, Dervish emerged out of Sligo at the beginning of the 1990s and quickly earned a reputation for their fiery live shows, strong musicianship, and tightly crafted arrangements. Portraying a strong DIY spirit, the band issued a string of high-quality self-released albums throughout the '90s and 2000s, earning fans around the world through hard touring and appearances at both folk festivals and major rock festivals like Brazil's Rock in Rio and England's Glastonbury. After nearly three decades and 12 self-released recordings, Dervish signed with Rounder Records to issue The Great Irish Songbook, their guest-heavy tribute to their country's most enduring songs. The group initially formed in 1989 under the name the Boys of Sligo. In 2018, after operating without a label since 1991, Dervish signed with American folk and roots music specialists Rounder Records. Their first release for the label, The Great Irish Songbook, features a number of high-profile guests including country singer Vince Gill, Americana star Rhiannon Giddens, and U.K. songwriter David Gray, among others. Later that year, BBC Radio 2 bestowed a Lifetime Achievement Award on Dervish for their achievements over 30 years.