Editing Planxty (section)

===Formation and first run (1972–1975)===

[[Christy Moore]] and [[Dónal Lunny]] had been friends since school days in [[Newbridge, County Kildare|Newbridge]], [[County Kildare]], Lunny having taught Moore how to play both guitar and [[bodhrán]].<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|3–17}} Before the formation of Planxty, Lunny had been playing in a duet with [[Andy Irvine (musician)|Andy Irvine]] after the latter's return from [[Eastern Europe]]<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|83–84}} and they had also launched their own folk club, downstairs at Slattery's, called The Mugs Gig.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|95}} [[Liam O'Flynn]] was playing in public and on the radio, and was well respected in traditional folk circles.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|93–94}} All members were familiar with one another's work to varying degrees but were first brought together during the summer of 1971 to record Moore's second solo album, ''[[Prosperous (album)|Prosperous]],'' at his sister's house, in the [[Prosperous, County Kildare|village of the same name]].<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|79–91}}

In January 1972, the four joined forces to form Planxty,<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|97–100}} recording their first single, "Three Drunken Maidens"/"Sí-Bheag, Sí-Mhór", in Trend Studios on 18 January 1972.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|101}} The band performed on [[RTÉ]]'s ''[[The Late Late Show (Irish talk show)|The Late, Late Show]]'' the following Saturday, 22 January 1972,<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|102}} and played their first show on 6 March 1972, a 30-minute set at The Mugs Gig on a bill that included balladeer [[Paddy Reilly]].<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|103}} They then assumed a weekly [[Artist-in-residence|residency]] at The Mugs Gig, began rehearsing, and started playing live around [[Ireland]].<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|104}}

The group's first major performance–opening for [[Donovan]] at the Hangar in [[Galway]], at Easter 1972–was a huge success.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|112–116}} Neither the audience nor the band knew what to expect, and both were pleasantly surprised. Irvine, unable to see the audience through the glare of the stage lights, was worried that the crowd might be on the verge of rioting. It took him several minutes to realize that what he was hearing was the expression of their enthusiasm.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|112}} A rough quality recording of the song "[[The Gypsy Laddie|Raggle Taggle Gypsy]]" from this concert was included on the 2004 retrospective, ''Christy Moore – The Box Set: 1964–2004'', complete with the audience's reaction.

Planxty's first single, "Three Drunken Maidens", was released by their manager Des Kelly's label, Ruby Records, reaching no. 7 in the Irish charts. The next single, a re-recording of "[[The Cliffs of Dooneen]]", previously recorded for the ''Prosperous'' album, made it to no. 3.  Two full albums followed: ''[[Planxty (album)|Planxty]]'',<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|129–145}} recorded at Command Studios in [[London]]<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|144}} during September 1972,<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|132}} and ''[[The Well Below the Valley (album)|The Well Below the Valley]]'',<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|169–186}} recorded at the Escape Studios in [[Kent]], from 18 June 1973.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|170}}

The group's increasing popularity led to heavy touring throughout Ireland, Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Spain and northern Europe.

Tired of constant touring and wishing to explore other musical avenues, Lunny left Planxty at the start of September 1973, playing his last gig with the band at the [[Edinburgh Festival]].<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|184–185}} He would eventually end up a member of [[The Bothy Band]]. [[Johnny Moynihan]], who had played with Irvine in [[Sweeney's Men]], joined at this point, playing mandolin, bouzouki, fiddle, tin whistle and singing.  This line-up, with contributions from Lunny, would record Planxty's third album, ''[[Cold Blow and the Rainy Night]]''<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|189–202}} in [[Sarm East Studios|Sarm Studios]], [[Whitechapel]] in London during August 1974.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|192–193}}

Next to leave, shortly after the making of this album, was Moore, who had a desire to return to his solo career and perform from a larger repertoire of songs.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|207}} The split was amicable, and while [[Paul Brady]] was recruited to fill the gap in September 1974,<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|209}} Moore stayed on with him in the band until October.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|214}} After his departure, the Irvine/Moynihan/Brady/O’Flynn line-up toured extensively but released no recordings before playing their final show in [[Brussels]] on 5 December 1975.<ref name="O'Toole"/>{{rp|220}}<ref name="MiriamMeetsAIPB">
{{cite AV media
 | people = Andy Irvine and Paul Brady (Interview)
 | title = Miriam O'Callaghan meets... Paul Brady and Andy Irvine.
 | url = http://www.rte.ie/radio1/miriam-meets/programmes/2012/0422/350853-220412/
 | medium = Podcast
 | publisher = RTÉ Radio 1
 | location = Dublin
 | date = 20 April 2012}}
 Retrieved on 25 April 2015.</ref>