Emerging from Sligo in the early 1990s, Dervish quickly gained acclaim for their energetic live performances, skilled musicianship, and well-crafted arrangements. The band independently released a series of albums in the '90s and 2000s, building a global following through extensive touring and appearances at prominent folk and rock festivals. In 2018, after 30 years and 12 self-released records, Dervish signed with Rounder Records to release The Great Irish Songbook, a collaborative tribute album featuring notable artists like Vince Gill, Rhiannon Giddens, and David Gray. That same year, the band received a Lifetime Achievement Award from BBC Radio 2 in recognition of their enduring contributions to traditional Irish music.