‘In The Blood’, an hour long documentary that celebrates 100 Years of The Kilfenora Céilí Band will broadcast as part of the high profile Arts Lives strand next Tuesday 7th April at 10.30pm on RTÉ One.
Directed by John O’Donnell and produced by Jackie Larkin for Stray Dog Films, the programme explores The Kilfenora Céilí Band, both past and present and looks at how their music evolved from the Fife and Drum band of the 1800’s into the Brass and Reid at the turn of the century before eventually settling into a ten piece band of wind and string instruments.
The Band has struggled many times over the years to ensure that both their name and their music would survive and this documentary illustrates how that music will indeed live on through the younger members’ determination in maintaining the heritage and tradition of their forefathers. Some of the older members also give accounts of the house dances of the 1930’s as well as the heyday of Céilí bands in the 1950’s when they played to massive crowds at the Fléadh Cheoils along with packing out dancehalls throughout the country and in England.
The documentary was funded by the Broadcast Commission of Ireland (BCI), The Irish Film Board, The Arts Council and RTÉ and includes contributions from well-respected musicians and broadcasters including PJ Curtis and Kieran Hanrahan.
