The Kilfenora Céilí Band (Irish: Banna Céilí Chill Fhionnúrach) is one of the oldest céilí bands in Ireland. It was founded in 1909 in Kilfenora, a village in County Clare.[1]
The first group of céilí musicians played in the old schoolhouse in Kilfenora in 1909. A new Catholic priest invited local fiddler Michael Slattery to form a band to play at fundraising dances to help clear parish debts and refurbish the church. It was also an opportunity for musicians to play at local houses or cross road dances.[2]
The members of the band changed over the years. Early players included fiddler John Joe Lynch and his sister Brigid McGrath on concertina, Jim Mulqueeney and Austin Tierney on fiddle, and Jim McCormack on flute. For bigger events, local musicians such as Jimmy Leyden (drums) and Pat Madigan (bass) and McCormack augmented the band.[2]
PJ Lynch started re-organising the band in 1953, and they won three "All-IrelandFleadh Cheoil" titles in a row, in 1954, 1955 and 1956.[3] Thereafter they became extremely busy on the céilí circuit, travelling and playing all over the country. The busy schedule forced PJ Lynch to step back, and his place as manager of the band was taken over by Kitty Lennane, who also played piano in the band. She retained this position for 40 years.[citation needed]
In the 1960s the band played in England regularly to large crowds at halls in Manchester, Birmingham and London. Things quietened during the 70s and 80s however, due to changes in musical taste. In July 1992 the Kilfenora population gathered to pay tribute to the band as they celebrated their 85th anniversary. The event was broadcast live on RTÉ radio.[4] Then in 1993, John Lynch, son of PJ, took over as bandleader with the intention of re-entering the competition for the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil. This was achieved spectacularly by the band repeating its 1950s feat of winning the All-Ireland 4 years in a row (1993-6).[2]
Band members
Membership according to the band's website as of 4 July 2021[update]:[5]
Over the years the band had many guest players, including Nell Galvin and her son Stephen. That time they played an unnamed reel, that promptly was baptized "Mrs Galvin's" by the Band.[7][8]
Discography
The Kilfenora Ceili Band (1994)
Set on Stone (1995)
Live in Lisdoonvarna (2002)
Century (2009)
Chapter Eight (2011)
Now is the Hour (2015)
Both Sides Now (2019)
References
^"Winter Honorary Conferring at NUI Galway". www.universityofgalway.ie.
^ abc"Music and Kilfenora". Retrieved 15 July 2014.
^Taylor, Barry (2013). Music in a Breeze of Wind; Traditional Dance Music in West-Clare 1870-1970. Danganella: Barry Taylor. ISBN978-0-9927356-0-9. p. 286
^"Kilfernora Historical Background". Clare Library. Retrieved 14 January 2014.
^"The Kilfenora Ceili Band". The Kilfenora Ceili Band.
^Taylor, Barry (2013). Music in a Breeze of Wind; Traditional Dance Music in West-Clare 1870-1970. Danganella: Barry Taylor. ISBN978-0-9927356-0-9. p. 288
kilfenora, céilí, band, irish, banna, céilí, chill, fhionnúrach, oldest, céilí, bands, ireland, founded, 1909, kilfenora, village, county, clare, banna, céilí, chill, fhionnúrachoriginkilfenoragenresirish, traditionalyears, active1909, presentlabelsdolphin, re. The Kilfenora Ceili Band Irish Banna Ceili Chill Fhionnurach is one of the oldest ceili bands in Ireland It was founded in 1909 in Kilfenora a village in County Clare 1 Kilfenora Ceili BandBanna Ceili Chill FhionnurachOriginKilfenoraGenresIrish traditionalYears active1909 presentLabelsDolphin Records Claddagh Records Castle Communications Transatlantic RecordsWebsitekilfenoraceiliband wbr comPlatinum disc received by the Kilfenora Ceili Band for their album Set in Stone Contents 1 History 2 Band members 3 Former player 4 Guest players 5 Discography 6 References 7 External linksHistory EditThe first group of ceili musicians played in the old schoolhouse in Kilfenora in 1909 A new Catholic priest invited local fiddler Michael Slattery to form a band to play at fundraising dances to help clear parish debts and refurbish the church It was also an opportunity for musicians to play at local houses or cross road dances 2 The members of the band changed over the years Early players included fiddler John Joe Lynch and his sister Brigid McGrath on concertina Jim Mulqueeney and Austin Tierney on fiddle and Jim McCormack on flute For bigger events local musicians such as Jimmy Leyden drums and Pat Madigan bass and McCormack augmented the band 2 PJ Lynch started re organising the band in 1953 and they won three All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles in a row in 1954 1955 and 1956 3 Thereafter they became extremely busy on the ceili circuit travelling and playing all over the country The busy schedule forced PJ Lynch to step back and his place as manager of the band was taken over by Kitty Lennane who also played piano in the band She retained this position for 40 years citation needed In the 1960s the band played in England regularly to large crowds at halls in Manchester Birmingham and London Things quietened during the 70s and 80s however due to changes in musical taste In July 1992 the Kilfenora population gathered to pay tribute to the band as they celebrated their 85th anniversary The event was broadcast live on RTE radio 4 Then in 1993 John Lynch son of PJ took over as bandleader with the intention of re entering the competition for the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil This was achieved spectacularly by the band repeating its 1950s feat of winning the All Ireland 4 years in a row 1993 6 2 Band members EditMembership according to the band s website as of 4 July 2021 update 5 John Lynch Banjo Fintan McMahon Piano Sean Griffin Drums Anne Rynne and Annemarie McCormack Fiddles Sinead Heagney Fiddle amp Viola Eimear Howley Fiddle Viola Banjo amp Mandolin Anthony Quigney Flute Whistle amp Piano Garry Shannon Flute and Whistle Claire Griffin Accordion Tim Collins Concertina Brian O Grady on Double Bass Sharon Howley CelloFormer player EditJimmy Ward 6 Aidan McMahon Mike Butler Seamus ConnollyGuest players EditOver the years the band had many guest players including Nell Galvin and her son Stephen That time they played an unnamed reel that promptly was baptized Mrs Galvin s by the Band 7 8 Discography EditThe Kilfenora Ceili Band 1994 Set on Stone 1995 Live in Lisdoonvarna 2002 Century 2009 Chapter Eight 2011 Now is the Hour 2015 Both Sides Now 2019 References Edit Winter Honorary Conferring at NUI Galway www universityofgalway ie a b c Music and Kilfenora Retrieved 15 July 2014 Taylor Barry 2013 Music in a Breeze of Wind Traditional Dance Music in West Clare 1870 1970 Danganella Barry Taylor ISBN 978 0 9927356 0 9 p 286 Kilfernora Historical Background Clare Library Retrieved 14 January 2014 The Kilfenora Ceili Band The Kilfenora Ceili Band Taylor Barry 2013 Music in a Breeze of Wind Traditional Dance Music in West Clare 1870 1970 Danganella Barry Taylor ISBN 978 0 9927356 0 9 p 288 Parallels H Sphere nellgalvin com Mrs Galvin s irishtune info www irishtune info External links EditOfficial website Kilfenora Ceili Band discography at Discogs Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Kilfenora Ceili Band amp oldid 1136889439, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
