Gleann an Íolair (Glen of the Eagle) is the Gaelic name for Glenullin, a small parish near Garvagh in County Derry, Ireland. This beautiful glen is home to the Boylan family, well known throughout Irish traditional music circles.

The family first played for a cèilí in 1986 and have been supplying dance music regularly since then. They have competed successfully in many national competitions since then and travel regularly to festivals throughout Ireland.

Maeve, Síle, Ruairí and Clóda are joined by their friends Joanne O'Connor from Tournafulla in County Limerick and Liam Bradley from Maghera in County Derry. Joanne, brought up in the heart of polka and slide country, brings the group a wonderful rhythm and punch, while Liam's exciting keyboard playing is an inspiring accompaniment to the other instruments.

Gleann an Íolair recorded this album in response to numerous requests from the set dancing community in Ireland. They have chosen four of the most popular sets, making the album suitable as accompaniment for beginners and for more advanced dancers.

"The Derry Boat" is a tune which the band plays for the 1st figure of the Cashel Set. The band gave the album this name to commemorate the anniversary of St. Columba's journey from Derry to the Scottish island of Iona.