Description
New Book By Sligo Musician Honours Céilí Band Legends
A new book which tells the story of some of Ireland’s greatest céilí bands will be the subject of a special presentation at this year’s South Sligo Summer School. Written by Tubbercurry native and well-known fiddle player, Philip Duffy, ‘On The Night’ shines a light on the 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 musicians that made up these ensembles have faded from memory, a situation which Philip Duffy sought to address when he began his research for the book seven years ago.
“Traditional music lovers would be very familiar with the names of the more famous céilí bands such as The Kilfenora and The Tulla, or The Liverpool and The Bridge Céilí Bands but not so many can recall the individual members of these bands, or indeed the many other remarkable bands around the country who attained the highest level in terms of perfecting their craft and musicianship by winning an All-Ireland Title.”
