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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.
We will cover Dorset, Hampshire and South Wiltshire in general.
We're 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!
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
We've had an issue with the hosting site recently and are still trying to get things back updated. The dates page is currently not updated fully. I'm slowly working on it!27th January - Murphy's Lore Trio at Bere Folk Night, Drax Arms , Bere Regis, kick off 7.30
Feb 14th, Fundraiser for ARK at Egwood, Merriot Village Hall, Merriot Somerset
Murphy's Lore Trio 15th Feb. Portsmouth Hoy, Hoy Sessions. Live music from us starts 4.30pm
Feb 21st, Allendale Centre , Wimborne. Fundrasing Ceilidh with Poole Link, a medical charity assisting with health care in Uganda
We can now also be found at Murphy's Lore YouTube
28th Feb, Afternoon - Alex and Noeleen will performing a short set for a Water Aid fundraiser. Poster below
In the evening of 28th Feb, Murphy's Lore Trio will be at the Ship Inn,Christchurch from 9pm
Some live videos
Ceol agus craic!
7 Feb 2026
Unavailable
14 Feb 2026
Merriot, South Somerset Fundrasing ceilidh for ARK at Egwood. Details on home page - see poster.
15 Feb 2026
Murphy's Lore Trio Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay. 4.30 pm start.
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 2206
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 2206
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
It was a fabulous evening. Energetic playing, superb calling as always and so responsive to the abilities of the dancers. Everyone went home buzzing. Thanks again Murphy's Lore for such great entertainment and an all round wonderful time! You guys are such a pleasure to work with "
David, Fordingbridge Folk Ceildhs. November, 2025
Thank you for a great night everyone had a wonderful time you entertained all the generations 😁 "
Gillian, after Friends of St.Andrews (Salisbury)barn dance. October, 2025
We had a great time, tho our arms are a bit tired from dancing with our little man! Thank you to everyone for making him so welcome x x "
Mandy, after The Drop The Anchor barn dance, September 2025
It 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 another joint birthday barn dance, August 2025
Thankyou we had an awesome time "
Lara after her and Mike's joint birthday, June 2025
Thank you Murphy's Lore Ceilidh for a fabulous evening celebrating Lucy’s 18th birthday. She loved the Ceilidh and had a brilliant time ❤️ You guys are amazing 🤩
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Jenny after Lucy's 18th Celebrations, June 2025
A fantastic night, thank you all!!!🥳🥳 "
Katherine after her Mum Helen's Birthday do ( we've done several for the same family) May,2025
Great night, great band, great people. Thank you for making it so much fun
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Steve, after a fundraiser for Elsie's Rose. May, 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,
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Catherine, after her birthday 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 😀
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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