Kilfenora Céilí Band

2009 is the centenary celebration of the formation of the Kilfenora band. Not only is this an historic milestone for the band itself but a reminder that Irish culture and traditions are thriving and have survived the test of time.

The ten-piece band features three fiddles (Anne Rynne, Pat Lynch and Annemarie McCormack), two flutes (Anthony Quigney and Garry Shannon), two sqeezeboxes Tim Collins and his wife, Claire Griffin), banjo and leader (John Lynch), drums (Sean Griffin) and piano (Fintan McMahon).

The current lineup has been together by and large for 17 years under the leadership of John Lynch. With the previous generation advancing in age, the band was going through something of a hiatus in the early 90s and then John emerged. He proved quite conservative to begin with and they confined their activity to rehearsal and competition. However they took on some gigs and the bug took hold. They couldn’t believe it when they were being invited to Britain, France, America and elsewhere but within a few years, they were taking it in their stride. They often play for dancers but in recent years have moved further towards concert performances and this has proved successful. Their forte is instrumental music with some harmony and a driving rhythm. They also have profitably collaborated with vocalists and invariably include a singer or two in concert.

The formula has enabled them to travel extensively to many lands, including cruise tours of the Mediterranean. They have sold out the Irish National Concert Hall in Dublin and are regulars at the major festivals around the world. The typical show has a big screen back-drop featuring iconic images from the hundred years through which they survived. It juxtaposes the global and the local with imagery and video clips which greatly enhance the audience experience.

The current crop are gradually introducing younger blood to the lineup and thus aim to perpetuate their success. Whatever the future holds, the object of the present band is to continue in the style of their predecessors. By staying true to traditional instrumentation and repertoire and applying some judicious innovation, they are determined to cement their tradition and secure the future and while so doing reach yet another generation of audiences.