The Kilfenora Céilí Band is one of Ireland’s most long running and highly regarded Céilí bands, and it was recently honoured at a Civic Reception in its native County Clare.
The band celebrated its centenary year in 2009, an achievement that very few ever come close to making, and it continues to perform to large audiences at home and abroad. The current line-up has been together for 17 years now under the leadership of banjo player John Lynch, who this year was named Clareman of the Year by the Dublin Association.
According to Mayor of Clare, Councillor Tony Mulcahy, “In hosting a Civic Reception in honour of the Kilfenora Céilí Band, the Council also is recognising the contribution of traditional Irish music artists and groups throughout County Clare over the years to preserving a unique part of Irish culture and heritage. A Civic Reception is the highest accolade at the disposal of Clare County Council for any individual, group or organisation and one that is, for those in receipt of it this evening, thoroughly deserved”.
Commenting on the history of the Band, Mayor Mulcahy said: “The founding of the Kilfenora Céilí Band has its origins in a fife and drum band which was based in the North Clare village of Kilfenora in the 1870s. In the early days the band’s engagements included house dances which later progressed to playing in local parochial halls and eventually venues far beyond the boundaries of the parish. The bands first broadcast on radio was from Athlone in 1932 and one can imagine the excitement in Kilfenora that this event generated with radios being so scarce and novel at the time. This broadcast was no doubt a very important milestone for the band and a clear evidence of their growing reputation.”
The band won the Céilí Band Competitions in the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil three years in a row, twice, which further cemented their reputation as being among the best, and after numerous television and festival appearances, their name has become synonymous with Irish Céilí music.
“The significant increase in the number of young people picking up traditional instruments is a testament of the Band’s work. The considerable involvement of local people of all ages in the many traditional music festivals that take place each year throughout Ireland and further afield is evidence of a flourishing Irish traditional music scene”, concluded Mayor Mulcahy.
In reply, band leader John Lynch said that “being honoured by your own home county and people is the greatest accolade of all. It is a fitting conclusion to our centenary year celebrations. I think that in granting the band a civic reception Clare County Council is recognising Kilfenora’s unique style of music which has been nurtured through the different manifestations of the band since the flame was lit in 1909.”
Clare County Council has already bestowed Civic Honours on Martin Hayes and Sharon Shannon at similar receptions. It is good to see them recognising and rewarding people who rightly deserve it for their contributions to Irish traditional music.
For more on the Kilfenora Céilí Band see their website
