Solas

A U.S. based Irish traditional band, apparently revolving around multi-instrumentalist virtuoso Seamus Egan (flute, banjo, mandolin, uillean pipes, whistle). The band plays driving tune medleys based in traditional Irish music, interspersed with fine singing.

Current discography (March 2001)

• The Hour Before Dawn, 2000
• The Words that Remain, 1998
• Sunny Spells and Scattered Showers, 1997
• Solas, 1996

SOLAS stands for Safety of Life at Sea. It is an international convention concerning the safety of merchant ships. The first version of the SOLAS Convention was adopted in 1914, the second in 1929, the third in 1948, and the fourth in 1960. The fifth and current version is the 1974 Convention, with amendments being added from time to time to keep the convention up to date.

The main objective of the SOLAS Convention is to specify minimum standards for the construction, equipment and operation of ships, compatible with their safety. The topics covered in the SOLAS Convention are:

• General provisions
• Stability and subdivision of compartments
• Machinery and electrical installations
• Fire protection, fire detection and fire extinction
• Life-saving appliances and arrangements
• Radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony
• Navigation safety
• Contents being carried (including hazardous goods)
• Nuclear ships

Solas is the word for "light" in the Irish language. It is also used as the brand name of a range of lightbulbs sold in Ireland. These come in distinctive black and yellow chequerboard boxes, and are by far the most ubiquitous brand in the country.

Sol"as (?), n.

Solace.

[Obs.]

Chaucer.

 

© Webster 1913.