Booking a Ceilidh Band
If you're looking for a ceilidh band for an event in or near Manchester, this page is the place to start.
Our House Bands
If you need a ceilidh band, we have two "house bands" at Manchester Ceilidh who may be suitable for you:
- The Maerlock (Irish / English) www.themaerlock.co.uk
- Triple Scotch (Scottish) www.triplescotch.com
Both bands are very experienced at playing for ceilidh dancers of all abilities. They can all provide you with everything you need to run a successful ceilidh - caller, PA, etc. To find out more about these bands, please have a look at their websites. Each web site contains sound files and a wealth of other information about each band.
If you're interested in booking one of these bands, get in touch with them directly. Full contact details are given on each web site. You'll need to tell the band when the event is, where it is, and whether you want them to supply caller and P.A. The band should then be able to tell you whether they are available on that date and give you a quote for your event.
When you're ready to book a band, just get in touch with them and confirm the booking - they will provide a contract setting out all the agreed details.
Other Ceilidh Bands
If none of our house bands are suitable, here is a list of all the bands who have played at Manchester Ceilidh. We can wholeheartedly recommend all of them. Please have a look at the band's web sites. Full contact details are given for each band, along with sound files and other information.
- Bedlam www.selwynmusic.co.uk/bedlam.html
- Derwenna www.derwenna.co.uk
- The Gloworms www.gloworms.org.uk
- Niblik www.niblik.co.uk
- Trinculo www.trinculo.co.uk
- Woodcock Hill Email: katemoran21@hotmail.com
- Gallivant Email: dumpy89@hotmail.com
- MC Session Band Email: bands@manchesterceilidh.co.uk
Organising a Ceilidh
We sometimes get asked for help with putting on ceilidhs. That's kind of outside the scope of this document. The links below are some good places to start reading:
- A Brief Guide to Organising a Barn Dance by Derek Kingscote
web.ukonline.co.uk/swingyourpartners/guide/ - Frequently Asked Questions - English Ceilidhs/Barn Dances by Arcadia Music Agency
www.musi.co.uk/bnindex.htm - Barn Dance and Ceilidh Bands FAQ by Fi Morris-Smith
www.bandsandmusicians.co.uk/faq.htm
Venues in Manchester
We also get queries from people who are putting on ceilidhs in Manchester and want us to recommend venues. Again, this is really outside the scope of this document. The information which follows is just a starting point.
Firstly, there are of course dozens of pubs and clubs in the city centre / near the university which you could try, e.g. Jabez Clegg (home of Manchester Ceilidh) or the Green Room. If you think your favourite bar or club would be suitable, take a look at their web site, or ask in person, for contact details and more information. Bear in mind they may get booked up a long way in advance, especially at weekends.
Secondly, if you're a student, you could try one of the many venues associated with Manchester's universities:
- Halls of residence, e.g. Hulme Hall has a large function room
- The chaplaincies
- The postgraduate society (the Burlington rooms)
- The function suite above the Refectory
We have no links with any of these, so check your university's web site (www.manchester.ac.uk / www.mmu.ac.uk) for their contact details.
Finally, if you're not restricted to the usual student areas, you could try looking at church halls in places like Chorlton, Didsbury, etc. Lots of churches have function rooms which they hire out fairly cheaply. Sports centres often have bars / function suites which you can hire in the evenings as well. Check your Yellow Pages or Google for contact details for these.
Please note that Manchester Ceilidh is not responsible for the content of external web sites.
