BOOK LAUNCH - "On The Night" by Philip Duffy - Fleadh Cheoil na Éireann Musicians and Senior Ceilí Band Winners 1951-2021

Dundalk Hosts Book Launch On Céilí Band Legends

A new book (with 2 accompanying music CDs) which tells the story of Ireland’s greatest céilí bands will be the subject of a special presentation at the Oriel Centre in Dundalk on Sunday 19th November at 4pm.    Written by Sligo native and well-known fiddle player, Philip Duffy, the publication ‘On The Night’ brings to the surface hundreds of musicians behind the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann Senior Céilí Band Competition over a seventy year period from 1951 to 2021.   Over the years, the All-Ireland Senior Céilí Band Competition has become one of the most sought-after accolades in traditional music circles, the winning bands featuring many of the most talented musicians of their generation. And while the names of the successful céilí bands have lived on and are remembered, many of the individual musicians that made up these ensembles have faded from memory.    “Traditional music lovers would be very familiar with the names of the more famous All Ireland winning céilíbands such as, The Kilfenora, The Tulla, The Liverpool, The Bridge and more locally in Dundalk - The Siamsa, The Táin, The Naomh Pádraig etc, but not so many can recall the individual members of these bands, or indeed the many other remarkable bands around Ireland and the UK who attained the same highest level in terms of perfecting their craft and musicianship by winning the title.”   “There was a sense that part of my research was a last-ditch attempt to capture an oral history and record the collective thoughts and memories of a whole generation who had lived through a time when gathering for a céilí dance was the mainstay of our country’s entertainment….... In total 38 céilí bands are featured with 408 individual musicians brought to the fore within the book’s 1,000 pages.    The book with CDs (providing 39 tracks covering All Ireland winning céilí bands from 1953 to 2019) will be available at the launch event.  The publication is on available for purchase on the day and costs €50. 

Entry to this book launch is free. RESERVE YOU SEATS by booking through Eventbrite link below or email events@orielcentre.ie

‘On The Night’ - a presentation by Philip Duffy, Sunday 19th November, The Oriel Centre, Dundalk at 4pm.