Ceilidh
Dancing Feet picture courtesy of Ben Stoney Photography
A barn dance or ceilidh is an event at which musicians perform live, mostly traditional music, with a caller giving clear, simple instructions just before and during the actual dance.
The idea is partly to mix people up a bit (dancing with 'strangers'?), to get the blood circulating and for those present to enjoy themselves a lot!
If organisers, bride/groom join in from the very start (even if they themselves have never danced before), they will encourage many other extra dancers on to the floor. Also, encourage well-known 'ring-leaders' and 'characters' (the best man, maid of honour, the mad Irish uncle, etc) to join in as early as possible.
The earliest dances are the easiest while the caller is sussing everyone out. However this is also the time when people are at their most inhibited and those watching need to see others enjoying it. These early dances can set the atmosphere for the rest of the event.
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Even with the best callers, not everyone gets it right first time. However, don't worry about making mistakes during dances!! Just laugh it off and keep going, it's all part of the fun and your laughter will rub off on others. Any others watching will be keener to join in, if those already dancing look like they are having a good time. Above all else, enjoy yourselves and don't be afraid to let your hair down.
We aim to entertain not educate! Our motto is "Ceol agus Craic" which
is Gaelic for "Music and Fun", which is exactly what a ceilidh is all about!
24 Oct 2026
Thornford, Sherborne - Village Social Ceilidh
25 Oct 2026
Murphy's Lore Trio at The Stourfield Tavern, Seabourne Road, Southbourne. 7 - 9pm. Our debut gig at this new local pub.
30 Oct 2026
Murphy's Lore Trio Portsmouth Hoy, Poole Quay 9pm
My heart is full of joy this morning. Last night whilst I trying to persuade my daughter to come to the ceilidh with me, She was being all 15.
I'm not dancing, I might do ONE but only if M*&a (also 15) does it too and I'm NOT touching some random person. They both absolutely LOVED it, one dance in and they were off doing every dance and holding hands with everyone, doing a promenade with anyone that was next to them. It's really hard to find something to do with a 15 year old where they actually want to hang out with you other than a theme park, but the power of ceildh dancing seems to overcome all obstacles
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Lou, after Pavilion Dance South West Ceilidh (Dancing Terraces), August 2026
You were fantastic and everyone had a wonderful time. It was a complete surprise for Prita but she absolutely loved it. Thank you so much and see you at Purbeck Folk Festival xx
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Lizzie, after a surprise Birthday do, August 2026
I would give 6/5 if Google allowed! Everything was top-notch: communication and co-ordination in the run-up to the wedding, the music, the caller's instructions to the guests during the dance. The barn dancing went down a treat with the guests and was the highlight of the night! Big thanks to Murphy's Lore!
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Sam, after his wedding ceilidh, August 2026
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