Celtic Keys Irish And Scottish Ceili/Ceilidh Band
The Celtic Keys Scottish and Irish Ceilidh (Ceili) Band are England’s premier band for weddings, ceili’s, barndances, concerts, corporate events and parties. All supremely accomplished musicians with multiple All -Ireland and All-Britain titles, The Celtic Keys are Colette Ni Laoire (accordion), James Smith (fiddle, caller), Pat Gallagher (guitar and vocals) and Brian O Ceallaigh(banjo/mandolin).
One of the most respected bands on the circuit for the past six years, they have performed for Sting, Her Excellence President Mary McAleese and the Latvian President at Dublin Castle, Princess Anne at the Guildhalll, Irish Ambassador Mr. David Cooney at the Irish Embassy, Mayor of London, Jasper Conran, Antonio Carluccio, Rolf Harris, Thandie Newton, and Stephen Rea to name but a few. The Celtic Keys have also played at countless Scottish and Irish weddings and corporate events both in the UK and on the Amalfi coast, Italy.
Their diverse repertoire ranges from enthralling reels, jigs, hornpipes and marches to meltingly beautiful airs and songs from Scotland and Ireland. In addition, they weave a rich tapestry of melodies from France, Galicia, Italy, Canada, Cape Breton and Louisiana with style and cosmopolitan taste. In London they have performed at the Barbican, Royal Festival Hall and Return to Camden Festival to name but a few. International appearances include L’Orient Interceltique Festival Brittany, Milwaukee Festival US. They have toured extensively throughout Austria, Germany, Italy, France, Scotland, Ireland and Wales.
With their driving energy and exuberance, they are guaranteed to bring any festival, concert, conference, wedding, ceili, ceilidh, barndance, event or celebration to life!
Deal Among the Taylors (Irish Reel)
Frenc Connection (Breton Song)
Client Comments
re Ceili in The Brewery, Chiswell St. London EC1 4SD – 20th Oct 2006
“We were delighted with our choice of Celtic Keys as band for our recent charity céilí in central London. Their energetic caller was amazing in the number of dances she knew and the ability she had to persuade the crowd to get on their feet and dance. The music was exactly what we were looking for, the musicians very accomplished and always ready to take suggestions, and they played a mix of old favourites and some new dances to ensure that novices and experienced céilí goers had great fun. We will certainly be contacting them next time around!”
Thanks
Judith Ni Bhreaslain
re Wedding at Candid Arts Trust, 3 Torrens St. London EC1V 1NQ – 2nd September 2006
“Thank you thank you for playing at our wedding! We had a truly fabulous evening, the music was excellent, the atmosphere was high and the dance floor was packed all night. Everyone commented on what talented musicians Colette’s band The Celtic Keys were and the whole ambience of the evening including the sensitivity of the caller, helped our two families get to know each other. Thanks again.”
Bríd Scanlon
re Three Crowns Pub, Stoke Newington, London, St. Patrick’s Day 17th March 2007
“Thank you so much for playing the Three Crowns, the evening was enjoyed tremendously by both customers and staff alike and the feed back was amazing about the event .Its a rarity to see such passion for the music and such pure talent outside of Ireland. A truly captivating experience.
Go raibh mile maith agat.”
Neala Marie McPhail
Examples of Ceili/Ceilidh and Barn Dances
Scottish Dances
Gay Gordon’s
Dashing White Sergeant
Circassian Circle
Strip the Willow
Irish Dances
Siege of Ennis
Haymaker’s Jig
Walls of Limerick
Sweets of May
St. Patrick’s Day
Other
Virginia Reel
Canadian Barndance
Old Time Waltzes
Repertoire
Reels
The Silver Spear (Irish)
Miss McLeod’s (Scottish)
Farmer’s Reel (French-Acadian)
Jigs
Atholl Highlanders (Scottish)
An Ghaoth Aniar Aneas (Irish)
Carraroe Jig (Irish)
O’Carolan’s Melodies : (celebrated blind Irish harper Turlough O’Carolan 1670 – 1738)
Carolan’s Concerto
Carolan’s Draft
Other
My Lady Hunsdon’s Galliard (John Dowland – English lutenist and composer 1563-1626)
Julia Clifford’s (Slide)
Cajun Medley (Louisiana)
Highland Strathspey Set (Scottish)
Highland Fling Set (Scottish)
Magic Slipper, Johnny Leary’s (Irish Polkas)
Hornpipes
Plains of Boyle (Irish)
Waltzes
Margaret’s Waltz (Scottish)
Tennessee Waltz (American/Irish)
Carnival of Venice (Italian)
Nurse’s Waltz (French)
Bourre (French)
Airs
Coilsfield House (Scottish)
Ar Eireann Ni Nosfainn Ce Hi (Irish)
Costa Galicia (Spanish – Bill Whelan, Riverdance)
Songs
Galway Girl
Irish Rover
Fields of Athenry
Galway Shawl
Homes of Donegal
Will Ye Go Lassie Go (Scottish)
Flower of Scotland (Scottish)
Skye Boat Song (Scottish)
Auld Lang Syne (Scottish)
Fields of Athenry (Irish)
Galway Shawl (Irish)
Ring of Fire (Johnny Cash)
I Walk the Line (Johnny Cash)
Blackbird (Paul McCartney)
Norwegian Wood (Beatles)
A Rainy Night in Soho (Shane McGowan and Pogues)
Dirty Old Town (sung by Shane McGowan and Pogues)
Oh Pretty Woman (Roy Orbison)
I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You (Elvis)
Love Me Tender (Elvis)
Love Love Love (John Prine)
500 Miles (Proclaimers)
Let’s Get Married (Proclaimers)
When You’re in Love (Proclaimers)
You Send Me (Sam Cooke)
Do You Want To Know A Secret (Lennon/McCartney)
King of the Road (Roger Miller)
Brown-Eyed Girl (Van Morrison)
Press Release – The Celtic Keys
Described by the Scotsman in a five-star review as ‘truly something else’, The Celtic Keys unite the revered talents of accordionist Colette O’Leary, fiddler Jamie Smith and banjo and mandolin player Brian Kelly. All three musicians have a wealth of touring experience and came together as a group through north London’s ever-vibrant folk scene.
The Celtic Keys’ ensemble synergy magically surpasses the sum of its parts, with captivating arrangements of Scottish, Irish, French, Galician, contemporary and original tunes, their playing “nothing short of sublime, the dance sets implausibly quick yet immaculately detailed, brilliantly intense yet utterly supple, silkily dovetailed in a thrilling panoply of colour, texture and taut-sprung rhythms”. (The Scotsman)
Colette’s playing is exquisite and heartfelt, honed through years of touring with the highly successful all-girl Irish folk group The Bumblebees. Together with Mary Shannon, Laoise Kelly and Liz Doherty, they enjoyed a rapturous reception wherever they played; in the UK, Europe and the US.
Jamie Smith is a well-known fiddler who emerged through the Glasgow session scene before moving to London. He founded Celtic Connections favourites Beneche before recording his solo album which received great reviews. He produced The Celtic Keys album in December 2007.
Brian Kelly has been a stalwart of the London Irish scene since he was twelve years old. He’s won multiple all-Ireland titles on banjo and mandolin and toured extensively with Shane McGowan and the Popes. His astoundingly fleet-fingered playing never fails to thrill.
The Celtic Keys are delighted to be joined for this concert by their friend, guitarist and singer Steve Burns.
Category: Traditional & Ethnic
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