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Murphy's Lore is a Bournemouth/Dorset based 'Celtic' band, performing a mix of traditional Irish, English and Scots music. For ceilidhs, barn dances, pub gigs and general good craic. Perfect in many ways for weddings, parties, an anniversary or any excuse to have a Hooley. Have a look around and get a feel for what we do.
We perform tunes to dance to and songs as well. Noeleen our caller will guide you through the dances. Covering Dorset, Hampshire and South Wiltshire in general and are currently a 4 piece outfit inc caller.
For most Ceilidhs / Barn Dance we keep the dances mixed to allow dancers of all experience levels to enjoy themselves but can cater for more flavoured evenings such as Burns Night or St.Paddy's night.
Our aim is to 'entertain, not educate', it should be fun after all!
Importantly our line up is consistent. We do use a small pool of 'deps' but only when absolutely necessary and we never multiple book the band out on different gigs for the same date. If we can't do your date, we will recommend someone else, not act as an 'agent' or pass the work on pretending it's us.
To hear the ceilidh band, use the player to the right on this and other pages. Most clips are live, so what you hear is what you'll get! For other information about the band use the links at the top of this page,and check out the videos for what we see you enjoying.
We also have an offshoot called Murphys Lore Trio ideal for pub gigs, festivals or any reason to have some lively folk music for an event where dancing may not be your thing! 2023 was a great year for this version of the band, supporting Mad Dog McRae in Bridport and opening the Main Stage at Purbeck Valley Folk Festival
To read about our most recent gigs and for a more interactive experience with us, see our facebook pages Murphy's Lore Ceilidh and Murphy's Lore Trio
News and upcoming events
Folk Orc Workshop at Coda Music Centre, Walkford, Christchurch, BH23 5QL - Noeleen and Alex will be helping tutor and local musician Chris Hopgood out with this workshop day and providing some musical entertainment during the lunch break."A full day of folk music, workshops, and community with The Folk Orc! Whether you want to try out a new instrument, bring your own along, sing from our legendary Songbooks, or just soak up some live music, this is your chance to get involved."
Ticket and info link
Through October we have multiple public ceilidhs across the area, below are details of all of them
Saturday Oct 4th - St.Andrews School, Laverstock, Salisbury - A fundraiser for the school. Our second event here. the first was a really good night with kids and parents all having a ball! Tickets: £10 Adults | £5 Under 12s
Ticket and info link
Friday Oct 10th - Fundraiser for Cancer Research at Highcliffe School BH23 4QD. Tickets £20 including a fish and chip supper. BYO drinks. contact 07974 966701 for tickets.
Saturday 0ct 10th - St.Marks, Wallisdown - Another public ceilidh . Our third one for the parish. In their lovely church hall. Tickets £10 each. Buy your ticket at the Parish Office or call 01202 529349 to pay by card. (Mon–Thurs, 9AM–12:30PM)
All Saints Church Hall, Milford on Sea, 25th October - 6.30 till 9.30 pm.
A fundraiser for their church tower renovation
Tickets £15 adults and children £5.
Ploughman's, desert and soft drinks included - BYO beers,wines etc.
Tickets can be bought from The Bridge, Sea Road, Milford on Sea. 01590 6448610 or here Ticket and info link
Murphy's Lore Trio, back at the Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay on Sunday 19th October. 4.30 - 6.30 pm. Come and join us, Kevin and team for an early evening of sings and tunes from the Great British folk scene. Better still book a table before and enjoy some great grub!
Fordingbridge Folk Ceilidh at Avonway Community Hall, Fordingbridge. A return to this great club for their occasional ceilidhs. Delighted to be asked back again - Tickets £14 on sale from September - e mail David at fordingbridgefolk@gmail.com.
We can now also be found at Murphy's Lore YouTube
Some live videos
Wedding Ceilidhs
Birthday Ceilidh Video
Public Ceilidh - Festival / Fundraisers
Ceol agus craic!
27 Sep 2025
Private- Canford- Wedding Ceilidh
28 Sep 2025
Folk Orc Workshop at Coda Music Centre, Walkford, Christchurch, BH23 5QL
Noeleen and Alex will be helping tutor and local musician Chris Hopgood out with this workshop day and providing some musical entertainment during the lunch break.
Ticket and info link
4 Oct 2025
St.Andrew's Salisbury- Fundraiser for Friends of St.Andrew's Church Road, Laverstock. SP1 1QX 6-10 pm. £10 adults, £5 under 12's dancing starts 6.30. tickets info fosalaverstock@gmail.com or Ticket and info link
From the very first note, the Murphy's Lore Ceilidh had us all tapping our toes, clapping our hands, and moving our legs with joy – the music filled the barn and the atmosphere was electric. Thank you to the fantastic musicians who gave us not just songs, but memories to treasure.
"
Ukraine Relief, Bournemouth, after a fundraiser, September 2025
Was an amazing night! You were absolutely brilliant 🤩 definitely recommend you to play as it got everyone up to dance the night away X
"
Tracey,after a birthday do for her husband and daughter, August 2025
Hi Murphy's Lore.
We just wanted to say many thanks to you for providing the music and dance at our 40th wedding anniversary barn dance last Saturday, 19th July. The whole evening was excellent and we keep having friends say how they enjoyed the music and dancing
"
Richard and Carolyn after their anniversary ceilidh. July 2025
Just wanted to say thank you to everyone at Murphy's Lore for Saturday night - you were fantastic and absolutely made the day. We had lots of first time ceilidh-ers who were sceptical before it began and they kept telling me how much fun they were having!
"This really was the most fun evening. Great energy and enthusiasm . What happy memories we will all have of all that laughter"
"
Heidi and Anna, after Heidi and Alex's wedding ceilidh, June,2025
Thank you all for such a fab evening last night, we absolutely loved it. It was so much fun, so inclusive and really infectious fun. You are all very talented and amazing at what you do.
We’d definitely love to go to one of your events again!
Enjoy the holidays,
"
Catherine, after her birtday ceilidh, April 2025
It was a fabulous evening! Thank you so much for the wonderful joyful music. Noeleen’s excellent calling skills resulted in lots of people keen to get up and dance! It was such a fun night. Looking forward to doing it again!
It was such a great night and we were both touched that you remembered our wedding reception!
Thank you to all the band and especially managing us all in such a tight space. We hadn't anticipated so many dancers up on the floor! Look forward to seeing you again sometime 😀
"
Jane and Anna, after St.Jame's PFA Ceilidh fundraiser evening barn dance for the school, March 2025
Thank you so much for a great evening. Thoroughly enjoyed a good fun night. Hope to see you at 'The Soldier' and of course Wimborne Folk Fest. You were amazing 👏 ❤️ xx
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Michelle, after her celebration, March 2025
"Thank you so much, what a fabulous evening! Well done everyone!!! ❤️ x Until next time!!!!!……. 🤗 "
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Friends of St
.Andrew's after a fundraising barn dance for the school,February 2025
What a great evening, we all enjoyed ourselves.. Big shout to everyone
Involved for putting on a lovely evening👏👏🤩
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Leon Devereux after Burns Night celidh in Woodgreen. January 2025
"I can’t thank you all enough! What a wonderful evening."
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Aileen after her birthday ceilidh. January 2025
"Thankyou so much for last night. You guys were literally incredible and my husband Will was over the moon.
Beautiful playing and the instruction of the dances was perfect and so clear too. Will definitely be booking you guys for my 40th in 1.5 years! "
"
Gina after her husband Will's Birthday celebration,December 2024
Thank you so much for making my 60th birthday absolutely wonderful for me and all my family and friends. I'm quite glad loads didn't turn up as we would have had to go out of the fire doors into the carpark!! It was just great to see almost everyone getting up and dancing and as you've undoubtedly heard a thousand times - even those who never dance, got up and enjoyed themselves.
I have had messages this morning from people saying what a wonderful evening it was and that I should hold an annual event!!! ....Once again, thank you so much you were fantastic.
"
Sarah after her Birthday celebration,November 2024
Another great fun night with Murphy's Lore Ceilidh , very busy dance floor!
....Thankyou so much for an incredible night! Such fun as always, it was great dancing with my Niece too as she had so much fun! .
Great cause, amazing night. well done all that organised Murphy's Lore Ceilidh you are fabulous, second time I've been to an event with you guys, each time I have laughed and danced so much, also great excuse to get the cowboy hats out .. see you again soon !
..A fabulous evening as always thankyou! Nearly as amazing as my wedding you did in 2004! The highlight was seeing my youngest daughter have so much fun dancing nearly every dance! Always a pleasure and so many laughs! Until next time!"
Alison, Louisa, Dawn and Rachel after a fundraising barn dance for Ukraine Relief, November 2024
A Brilliant evening,Thank you ..A great evening "
Sally and Christine after a barn dance at Boscombe Salvation Army, October 2024
Murphy's Lore Ceilidh you are amazing and I had the best party ever
Thank you so much for making my retirement party so much fun
Everyone who was there said it was fantastic..Thank you so much "
June after her retirement party, October 2024
It was fantastic!! Loved every minute x
....Brilliant as usual and such great fun. Smiles and laughter all around. Thanks again! "
Gjald and Renate after Drop the Anchor Barn Dance, September 2024
You gave us a brilliant night! My Mum & Dad (Jennifer and Peter) loved every minute, as did all our little ones! Thank you for being so great at including everyone! Your band are fantastic too, Joanna x"
Joanne after her Mum and Dad's Anniversary ceilidh,September 2024
Hi Alex - thank you and the band and Noeleen SO much for the most fabulous evening on Saturday. Everyone really enjoyed it and thought you were all great! We saw the great piece you put in FB and insta - please feel free to tag me :-) Til the next time! Cx "
Catherine after her Birthday ceilidh, August 2024