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Murphy's Lore is a Bournemouth/Dorset based 'Celtic' band, performing a mix of traditional Irish, English and Scots music plus a few tunes of our own, composed by our 'box' player Richard and arranged as we went along! 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 to sing along with. If you don't know the dances, our caller will teach you. If you don't know the songs, just tap your feet and clap your hands!
We will cover Dorset, Hampshire and South Wiltshire in general.
Available as 5 piece with a separate caller or, as a 4 piece with Noeleen calling. Either way it will be a great night with charismatic calling and mellifluous music and you will have been 'Murphed'.
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!
To hear us, 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.
To read about our most recent gigs and for a more interactive experience with us, see our Facebook page
News and upcoming events
It's nearly here, Wimborne Minster Folk Festival over the weekend June 7th - 9th. You can catch Alex and Noeleen as A Half of Murphy's on Saturday 8th. They will be first on stage at The Olive Branch garden stage 11.45 am, then hosting the afternoons other musicians.
Then on Sunday 9th the whole band will be, weather permitting, on the Stage in the Square for an outdoor ceilidh. Local caller and musician Andrew Helson will be 'calling' the dances. Starts 13.30.
Some live videos
Wedding Ceilidhs
Birthday Barn Dance
Burns Night Charity Ceilidh
Birthday Ceilidh Video
Ceol agus craic!
25 May 2019
Beaulieu. Private - Anniversary Barn Dance
1 Jun 2019
Boldre. Private- Lymington/Vitre Twinning Ceilidh
8 Jun 2019
A Half of Murphy's will be performing at Wimborne Folk Festival on the Olive Branch Garden Stage at 11.45 am and then MC'ing the afternoons acts. Full details of all the acts that afternoon will be on Wimborne Folk Festival's website.
"just wanted to say a big thank you for Saturday night, everyone really enjoyed, you were excellent!
Julie, Landlady - The Dolphin Inn, Gillingham after their re-opening night.April, 2019
"Another great evening at Milford with Murphy's Lore - thank you!!
Sue, Milford Community Centre St.Patricks Ceilidh.March, 2019
"Great evening!! haha! was lots of fun!
Thanks so much for a brilliant night guys, you were fantastic!
Helena and Emma, after Emma's birthday do.Feb, 2019
"I can highly recommend this band. Beautiful singing from Noeleen, great music from the band and Julian calling the dances was absolutely brilliant. We all had a fantastic time. Thank you Murphy's Lore!
Jenny, after her birthday do.Jan, 2019
"Brilliant night, Thank You. Could take me a while to recover !
Gail, after Leannes's birthday ceilidh. Dec 2018
" It was a fantastic night, enjoyed by all. Thank you so much!!
John, after his wife, Sarah's birthday ceilidh. Dec 2018
" We had the greatest time! Thanks for making our evening so much fun! I already want to ceilidh again 😀 xxx!
Ren, after her and David's wedding ceilidh. November 2018
"Dear Alex, Noeleen and the Band
Thank you so much for a great show on Saturday. The music and dancing crossed the generations and brought everyone together.
We have had great positive feedback about how much they enjoyed your playing.
Many thanks for making it a special evening.
Nick after his birthday ceilidh. October 2018
"Hi all at Murphy's Lore,
We are still catching our breath from last night's dancing, but I just wanted to send you an email to thank you once again for such a wonderful night's entertainment at our wedding. You guys created something so special for us and our guests - the memories you gave us all will last forever. Having you there meant that guests who did not know each other at the start of the day left having danced the night away with new friends. Thank you also very much for Jess' personal tune from Richard - that meant so much. You are all wonderful and talented musicians and we wish you all the very best and hope to see you again at another 'do'! We will certainly recommend you to anyone that will listen! Keep Music Live! Much Love Jo and Jess. x
Jo and Jess after their wedding ceilidh. Sept 2018
"I can't believe it is one week since the Ceilidh evening 1st Sep at Milford for our German guests and their LITA hosts. I just want to say, many thanks for a fantastic evening. The music was superb, and Noeleen you got practically EVERYONE up dancing like pro's! (and well done for using German!) Lots of people have contacted me to say how much they enjoyed themselves...
Shirley after Lymington Twinning ceilidh. Sept 2018
"I had to be dragged to the dance floor to start off as I was feeling a bit frazzled after performing earlier, but glad I was, as ended up really enjoying it. Thanks guys what a fun night.
'Treek' after Chris and Sue's anniversary do. August 2018
" Best party ever!!! Thanks Clare & Murphy's Lore!!
Berni after Clare's birthday do. July 2018
"Hello. Thank you so much for a brilliant evening at my cousin Clare's 50th, Best night we have had in ages. I won't be able to walk tomorrow but the aches will be worth it. you were great x
Kathie after Clare's birthday do. July 2018