Ceili Band
What is a Ceili Band?
Ceili, or Céilí, bands found popularity in the early 1900's playing for Irish dancing. One of the earliest bands is one of the most well known and still plays today. The Kilfenora Céilí Band (Irish: Banna Céilí Chill Fhionnúrach) which was formed in 1910 in Ireland's County Clare and is still active today. You can see and hear them below. Over the years, many bands have formed and some have stayed.
What makes a Ceili Band?
A typical Céilí Band had around 10 instruments - most all melodic with some percussion accompaniment. Common instruments include the fiddle, flute, button accordion, Anglo concertina, uilleann pipes, banjo, mandolin, tin whistle, drums and piano. You may also see other melodic instruments used like a guitar or harmonica, for example.
Where can I find a Ceili Band?
You can find bands active today and in some of the most surprising places.
Notre Dame Céilí Band, founded at the University in 2021
Old Bay Ceili Band, Baltimore-Washington D.C. area
Róisín Dubh, nationally-recognized Irish music program at East Rochester (NY) High School