Murphy's Lore Trio
Happenstance is often a wonderful thing.
It just happens that Steve Faulkner is a friend and fellow folk musician. We get on well and sometimes we need a ‘dep’ fiddle player for Murphy’s Lore.
Alex and Noeleen have been Murphster’s for years, probably 20, and have been doing duo stuff for about 12. Adding the two to the one made a Trio and a chance to perform at Poole Hill Brewery in 2019 happened and became a regular 'thing'.
Noeleen plays guitar, whistle, and bodhran but is best known for her beautiful, clear and melodic vocal delivery,
whilst Alex provides a ‘minimal, unfussy’ style on guitar, tenor guitar, some backing vocals, occasionally the mandolin and a stomp to lend some ‘oomph’ when needed.
Steve has earned his reputation over the years as fiddler with 'Pronghorn',‘Cottage Industry’(ceilidh band), as a vocalist with Poole Bay Shantymen and until 2020 as fiddler and vocalist with The Polly Morris Band and is also known to play Bouzouki. He also is a lead memebr of local country act 'Route 66'. A very contrasting vocal style to Noeleen means we have broadened the range of material..
So here we are, still going. We unashamedly don’t do our own material, we’re not song writers. But we do love traditional folk music, whether tunes or songs. Wistful waltzes, rollicking reels, jaunty jigs, peppery Polkas and songs from the sea and land,some sad (as folk often is), some humourous.. Expect traditional stuff, with maybe a few surprises thrown in. Happenstance. Perfect!
We have a regular monthly booking at The Portsmouth Hoy on Poole Quay, see poster below for this years dates
Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay this years dates
30 Aug 2026
Murphy's Lore Too Anathema's Elements Witch Market, Royal Arcade, Boscombe. An alternative market from 10am. Alex and Noeleen will be providing some music from about 1pm. Westbourne Strings will also be performing in the arcade as part of Increase the Peace festival .
31 Aug 2026
Murphy's Lore Trio The fab Trio will be at Blandford Forum's Community Summer Fayre on this bank holiday. Marsh and Ham, Marsh & Ham Car Park, Blandford Forum
6 Sep 2026
Murphy's Lore Trio Syd's Slaps, Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth - 7-9pm
Hi Alex, We can’t thank you enough for such an excellent evening last Saturday. The music and leading is tremendous and everyone really enjoyed themselves so much. You are firmly in our address book and talk of a future event in the field is already underway. I would also highly recommend you to everyone. How far do you travel for a gig?
Wishing much luck for the future and hope to be enjoying your music again soon.
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Penny, after a family celebration, July 2026
……a HUGE thank you Murphy’s Lore, for an amazing evening of fantastic music great entertainment and wonderful atmosphere !
You matched the dances perfectly to take into account the extreme heat and the great age range …….. just 4 years old to 84 ……
Great calling and encouragement ( in the heat !) Noeleen ….. you are amazing !!! My personal favourite has to be the last dance the coil and processional “wedding dance “ ….. brilliant !!!
I've had loads of great feedback from friends and family re the FUN that they all had …. whether it was dancing themselves or watching others’ varying attempts …. What a laugh !!!
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Pauline, after her Golden Wedding Anniversary celebrations, July 2026
It was a really super evening and no end of guests commented on how enjoyable it was to dance and how good you were. Would you please pass on our thanks to the rest of your group. Needless to say, the younger grandchildren are asking when we are going to do it again!!
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Sarah, after her Golden Wedding Anniversary, June 2026
Thank you for another excellent evening of music and dancing.....A great evening and amazing band!
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Anna and Ann after St.John's anniversary barn dance, May 2026
Always enjoy your barn dances, fantastic group of musicians and Noeleen is a great caller. See you in September!!
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Moira, after May's Drop the Anchor Brewery Barn dance. May 2026
Thank you so much for Saturday, you guys were brilliant and we had the most amazing evening!!
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Rebecca, after her husband's Birthday Barn Dance, May 2026
Many thanks to Murphy's Lore Ceilidh for a fabulously entertaining evening of song and dance… plenty of galloping and skipping and a good time had by all
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Geraldine, after Highclere Village Social, April 2026
Thank you so much for making Emma and Sam's wedding evening such a fantastically fun evening. We had a really great time.
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Anne, after Emma and Sam's wedding ceilidh, April 2026
Thank you so much for the barndance for the youth orchestra on Monday. It was fantastic. The dances were great for our range of students and got them mixing superbly. To see our youngest Y5 student dancing with one of our tallest 6th formers was a sight to behold!
The whole evening was simply brilliant - I don’t think I recall one before when everyone joined in every single dance.
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Gill, after a barn dance for Hampshire Youth Orchestra, March 2026
I was very lucky to attend your Ceilidh at the Allendale in Wimborne recently I’ve attended quite a few, but this one was really special - both in the dance selection, music and the great caller.. "
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Kay, afert the poole Africa Link Ceilidh, Feb 2026
We felt so pleased to be able to book you for our event! Guaranteed to please! Everyone had a brilliant time!
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Cindy, after a Burns celebration with 'Dorset Hash House Harriers', Jan 2026
Thank you so much for a brilliant afternoon/eve!! Xxx
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Mandy, after a joint Birthday celebration for herself and daughter Malaika, Jan 2026
Great night! Never disappointed when Murphy’s Lore bring the party vibes!❤️😘
Thanks Murphy's Lore Ceilidh for such a great night, everyone had the best time at our Dorset SUP Charity Christmas Party 2025 with Murphy's Lore Ceilidh Band
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Cindy and Matt, after Dorset SUP fundraiser for Colourworks, December 2025