Céilí Band essay

Question 1

Introduction to the céilí band. Origins?

Answer 1

New phenomenon gaining popularity in first half of the 20th century, playing solely for Irish dancing. The first céilí was organised in 1897 in London by the gaelic League.

Question 2

What does céilí mean

Answer 2

“Céilí” means “a gathering of people for dance”.

Question 3

Function of céilí Band and introduction to structure

Answer 3

A céilí band must play loud enough so it can be heard by everyone in a large hall over the noise from dancing feet. All the instruments that play the melody play in unison and music is homophonic
- the function is to keep a steady beat for the set dancers

Question 4

BallinaKill céilí band set up

Answer 4

Fr Tom Larkin set up the Ballinakill Céílí band in 1926/27 as the clergy wished to get rid of jazz music.

Question 5

Success of Ballinakill céilí band

Answer 5

November 1929 -first broadcast for 2RN.
The following summer, parlophone of london recorded “The pipe on the hob”, “The queen of the rushes”, “The Old bush reel” and “the copperplate reel”. Unexpected success so made six double sided records in November 1931. By 1941/42 Céilíband had achieved international fame. Influential and remained active until the 1960s

Question 6

Dance halls Act and effects

Answer 6

The Dance Halls Act of 1935 outlawed dancing at crossroads and all dances had to take place in parish halls after a licence had been granted. As a result the céilí band tradition soared with more bands needed.

Question 7

Céilí music how was it kept alive in mid 20th century

Answer 7

Céilí music was broadcast on radio in the 30s and 40s and it was kept popular by irish made recordings in the 1950s. The competitive nature of the bands was encouraged at the fleadhanna cheoil.

Question 8

My listening - fleadh cheoil

Answer 8

I enjoyed listening to the Blackwater Céilí Band from Tyrone who won the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil title in Drogheda last August

Question 9

Criticism from influential figure

Answer 9

1960 Sean Ó’Riada criticised Céilí Bands because of their lack of individual expression. He said the music “was like the buzzing of a bluebottle in an upturned jam jar”. Despite all the critics the music of Céilí bands still remain busy today

Question 10

Céilí band of today with example

Answer 10

Today Céilí Bands are regularly heard in a concert setting. The Kilfenora Céilí Band was formed in 1910 in Clare and is still active today.

Question 11

Kilfenora céilí band in 20th century

Answer 11

They recorded “The fabulous Kilfenora Céilí Band” and “The Kilfenora céilí band”. They won the All -Ireland Fleadh Cheoil titles in a row in 1954-1956 and in the 60s played in England regularly to crowds at halls in Manchester, Birmingham and London.

Question 12

Kilfenora céilí band today and latest album

Answer 12

Their latest album “Clare my heart my home” was recorded in 2018. In recent times they achieve a more contemporary sound with viola, cello, double bass and a vocalist Don Striffe. They have also extended the number of people in the band.

Question 13

Typical céilí band line up

Answer 13

10 instruments including usually accordion, fiddle, flute, concertina, and banjo playing the melody. The accompaniment is provided by drums and piano. The drums include snare, bass and block and the piano plays a vamping style. Most bands include ornamentation and variation