The state of Nevada took The Achill Lads to a golf course. The Achill Lads - US Tour/Facebook

The Achill Lads are taking Irish traditional music to every state in the US.

Taking a road trip around every single one of the United States of America is a dream of many. Yet Irish traditional musicians Cian McNamara and Michael Lavelle, otherwise known as The Achill Lads, decided to make their epic journey through every US state that extra bit special, performing an Irish tune beside some of the country’s most iconic landmarks as they went.  

Hailing from Achill Island off the coast of Co. Mayo, the musicians set off on their enviable task on May 7, simply hiring a car and hitting the road, without any gigs planned along the way and nothing funding them other them their sense of adventure.

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McNamara and Lavelle had traveled to Cleveland from Achill where they stayed with a cousin before setting off on the road and while they hadn't planned anything beforehand, they ended up with a few gigs along the way. 

On Tuesday, May 28, their trip came to an end, having whipped out their instruments for a jig and a reel in 48 out of the 50 US states. (Alaska and Hawaii were understandably the only two not included.) They even stopped off in the District of Columbia, where they chose the bagpipes and a drum for a performance after they failed to convince President Trump to make them a cup of tea.

Aiming to film their videos “at historical sites, landmarks and other interesting locations,” the lads also showed us some beautiful scenes of America by simply perching up to play by a river or in the woods.

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“It was tiring but we kept plugging,” McNamara told IrishCentral.

Not only is it quite a feat to complete all the states in such a short period of time but The Achill Lads also showed off enormous talent as well, alternating between instruments for each video.

And they already have their sights set on the next musical exploration, joking about taking on the continent of Africa next summer!

You can see the full tour and find your own state’s video on The Achill Lads - US Tour Facebook page.