Orealis was formed in the mid-1980s by Kirk MacGeachy and multi Instrumentalist Jim Stephens (Hammered Dulicmer, Bouzouki, Whistles). Kirk and Jim were bot previously members of the popular Montreal Groups Celtec Conspiracy and Brahan Seer. Brahn Seer (or Men without Pants as they wer sometimes known) Featured the skills of Ken MacKenzie on bagpipes and Gilles Losier on Fiddle and Key-boards.

In theseir search for a more contemporary/new age sound for their new band, Jim and Kirk invited Renée Morin to join the newly formed Orealis on the synthesizers.

Orealis' first demo attracted the attention of Wendy Newton of Green Linnet records who immediately signed them to her prestigious Green Linnet label. Their first album, Orealis - Musique Celtique, released in 1987 and was very well received. It was produced by Johnny cunningham and featured not only his brilliant fiddling,. but also guest musicians Kate and Anna McGarrigle(backing vocals, accordion_ and Michel Dupire(percussion).

Orealis performed across canada and in the US, establishing a name for themselves. In the early 1990s the trio became a four-some with the addition of John Rudel on Percussion. In 1991 with the departure of Jim Stephens, flute and guitar Virtuoso Dave Gossage joined the line-up.

Dave brought to the band his fine musicianship and arranging skills, and later his brothers Bill (Bass) and Thom (drums).

Orealis' next album 'Night Visions' produced by Jim Dunningham and Dave Gossage for the Green LInnet Label marked a change in musical direction towards a new upbeat sound whihc combined elements of ethnic music, Jazz and Rock. This album received rave reviews from the critics and was nominated for JUNO award in the roots and Traditional category.

Since then, Dave and Kirk have collaborated on two other albums 'Shroud of Erin' and the newly released 'Moon on the Ocean'