Founded in 1975 by Richard Nevins and Dan Collins (the name means storyteller in Gaelic), it is now one of the largest independent record labels in the world.

Starting as a speciality fiddle music label, it released work by Celtic groups such as Planxty, Clannad and the Chieftains and later extended to include Latin American, African music, soul, country and ska.

In 1989, it acquired Yazoo Records from Nick Perls, which enabled it to release vintage jazz and blues recordings.