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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
1st September ... An odd summer of hits and misses. A few more wedding / birthday do's have been postoned or cancelled. We've picked up a couple of replacements but overall people are still seemingly reluctant to book a ceilidh / barn dance as an event to celebrate with.
A few upcoming dates for us.
1st up is a ceilidh at Milford Community Centre, Milford on Sea on Saturday 9th October. This is the first one back there since March 2020 and we're looking forward to restarting what was always a very good evening. They have some tickets left @£15 inc a posh ploughmans and are available from the community centre.
01590 644861 (box office) or online Tickets here
Then at the same venue on the following Thursday 14th , Murphy's Lore Trio will be headlining the Folk Club evening. . tickets £4.50, pay on the door.
And lastly on Saturday October 16th we're back at our favourite Dorset pub The Dolphin, Peacemarsh, Gillingham.
Again this is a gig that's been postponed about 4 times, so we're really happy to actually getting back to them. Another evening that always delivers a great response...
Murphy's Lore Trio are also in concert at Wareham Folk Harvest on Saturday 25th September. Along with 3 other acts, Alongshore, Dorset Silvertones and Chris Ricketts, they will be at The United Reform Church, Church road, Wareham. Tickets £7.50 from the festival website -
Wareham Folk Harvest- Songs from land and sea
We can now also be found at Murphy's Lore YouTube
Some live videos
Wedding Ceilidhs
Birthday Barn Dance
Burns Night Charity Ceilidh
Birthday Ceilidh Video
Ceol agus craic!
25 Sep 2021
Wareham Folk Harvest - A one day folk festival in and around Wareham. Murphy'sLore Trio will be appearing in a Saturday afternoon concert which Noeleen will also be compering.
2 Oct 2021
Bournemouth. Private- Birthday Barn Dance
9 Oct 2021
Miford on Sea Community Centre Covid regulations hopefully will have lifted enough for us to resume our Biannual ceilidh at Milford On Sea. Always a good night out. book tickets early, we'll post further details when we know for sure if this will go ahead.
"Ray and I just wanted to say a massive thank you for coming to our wedding and controlling the crowds! It was a funny old time to try and make the decision
but I think going ahead and seeing everyone doing the dancing definitely made us feel it was the right thing to be doing! So thank you for being understanding!!
Lucy and Ray,after their Wedding ceilidh. July,2021
"We all had a great night, many thanks for making it such good fun!
Heather, after her Birthday ceilidh. Feb,2020
"Thank you so much, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the evening which was made by you guys!
Katherine, after her brother's Birthday ceilidh.November,2019
"Brilliant evening, again!
Shelagh, after Milford on Sea Community Autumn ceilidh.October,2019
"Thank you for such a wonderful evening last Saturday, everyone had a fabulous time dancing, some who have NEVER danced with their partners before so that was a great achievement. We loved the atmosphere, the music and especially the dancing, everyone should experience a ceilidh it’s magical, a great way to celebrate 25 years of marriage with family and friends.
Linda and Lester after their anniversary ceilidh.September,2019
" You were all incredible. I think it is the best Ceilidh we have done, so thank you.
Louise after the Pavillion Dance South West ceilidh. August,2019
"Just want to say a massive thank you to you all for your amazing set at our wedding! It really made the night perfect and everyone loved it! We will definitely be using you again for other family events!!! Love from the new Mr & Mrs Trent
Leanne and Chris after their wedding ceilidh.June,2019
"Fabulous evening, as always. Murphy's Lore you are a joy. Thank you. xx
Jan after the annual St.Anthonys Social.May,2019
"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