Origins of The Knockmore
The Knockmore Ceili Band take its' name from the picturesque scenery of Knockmore Mountain, Boho, Co.Fermanagh.
It is on this mountain where three of their members including bandleader Maggie Maguire have grown up playing music.
The band began competing at Senior level in 2008 winning their first of 7 in a row Ulster competitons and reaching the All-Ireland Fleadh at its first attempt. Inspired by the great history of the Sean Nugent led 'Pride of Erin' Ceili Band in the 1980's the Knockmore immediately had their own individual energetic and youthful style which quickly gained followers. With an average age of (then 22) the Knockmore were without doubt the youngest band competing at the highest level, which took quite some time to adjust to.
Year by year, the Knockmore continued to gain support throughout Ireland and were identified to be a serious threat to the more established and experienced band in the competition circuit. Performances were always of the highest level and as the years wore on, expectation started to rise. The band's personal favorite performance came in 2012 at the Cavan Fleadh. Although not placed it was the first time they had the belief that lifting that coveted trophy (which deservedly went to the Awbeg Ceili Band, Cork in 2012) was a possibility.
A just reward for the band came in November of 2012 when they finished 2nd in "The Ennis Trad Fest Ceili Band Competition" beating not only historic bands from throughout Ireland and Britain but other competitors who had placed ahead of them at the Fleadh Cheoil winning €2000. Ironically it was the Awbeg again who took 1st place in Ennis.
Going into the 2013 Fleadh season, the Knockmore now came with a strong favorites tag to lift the famous Harp. It was a historic year all round for comhaltas and the band as it was the first time in Fleadh history that the festival was taken north of the border to the city of Derry. Incredibly, drama ensued as the 5 independent adjudicators marks were totaled and left two bands, The Moylurgh, Roscommon and the Knockmore tied for first place. This resulted in the infamous 'recall'. Unfortunately, the Knockmore were pipped to first place in a split decision and resigned to 2nd place.
2014 began as 2013 had finished, the Knockmore were this time total favorites for the All-Ireland fleadh in Sligo. The hours of practice were put in, the tunes picked, and a change of uniform was used to 'brighten' the band up. With all the pressure of the packed hall watching, the TV cameras focused and the adjudicators in place, they delivered an outstanding performance (*featured video below*) to finally reach the holy grail and be crowned All-Ireland Champions for 2014.
The Knockmore bridged a 29-year gap to become only the 2nd ever Ceili Band from the North and indeed the province of Ulster to lift the trophy. (The other being of course the Pride of Erin in 1983 and 1985)
The band have featured extensively in TV documentaries by the BBC and TG4.. Stair na mBannai Ceili 2011, and "Fleadh" 2013.
Band Members
Fiddles: Maggie Maguire - Michael Kerr - Maria Connolly
Flutes: Aishling McPhillps - Lorena Maguire
Banjo: Brona Graham/Tomas Quinn
Concertina: Ciaran Hanna
Button Accordion: Christopher Maguire
Piano: Ronan Warnock
Drums: Kieran Leonard
*Video by PJ Phelan - Portlaoise, Ireland*
It is on this mountain where three of their members including bandleader Maggie Maguire have grown up playing music.
The band began competing at Senior level in 2008 winning their first of 7 in a row Ulster competitons and reaching the All-Ireland Fleadh at its first attempt. Inspired by the great history of the Sean Nugent led 'Pride of Erin' Ceili Band in the 1980's the Knockmore immediately had their own individual energetic and youthful style which quickly gained followers. With an average age of (then 22) the Knockmore were without doubt the youngest band competing at the highest level, which took quite some time to adjust to.
Year by year, the Knockmore continued to gain support throughout Ireland and were identified to be a serious threat to the more established and experienced band in the competition circuit. Performances were always of the highest level and as the years wore on, expectation started to rise. The band's personal favorite performance came in 2012 at the Cavan Fleadh. Although not placed it was the first time they had the belief that lifting that coveted trophy (which deservedly went to the Awbeg Ceili Band, Cork in 2012) was a possibility.
A just reward for the band came in November of 2012 when they finished 2nd in "The Ennis Trad Fest Ceili Band Competition" beating not only historic bands from throughout Ireland and Britain but other competitors who had placed ahead of them at the Fleadh Cheoil winning €2000. Ironically it was the Awbeg again who took 1st place in Ennis.
Going into the 2013 Fleadh season, the Knockmore now came with a strong favorites tag to lift the famous Harp. It was a historic year all round for comhaltas and the band as it was the first time in Fleadh history that the festival was taken north of the border to the city of Derry. Incredibly, drama ensued as the 5 independent adjudicators marks were totaled and left two bands, The Moylurgh, Roscommon and the Knockmore tied for first place. This resulted in the infamous 'recall'. Unfortunately, the Knockmore were pipped to first place in a split decision and resigned to 2nd place.
2014 began as 2013 had finished, the Knockmore were this time total favorites for the All-Ireland fleadh in Sligo. The hours of practice were put in, the tunes picked, and a change of uniform was used to 'brighten' the band up. With all the pressure of the packed hall watching, the TV cameras focused and the adjudicators in place, they delivered an outstanding performance (*featured video below*) to finally reach the holy grail and be crowned All-Ireland Champions for 2014.
The Knockmore bridged a 29-year gap to become only the 2nd ever Ceili Band from the North and indeed the province of Ulster to lift the trophy. (The other being of course the Pride of Erin in 1983 and 1985)
The band have featured extensively in TV documentaries by the BBC and TG4.. Stair na mBannai Ceili 2011, and "Fleadh" 2013.
Band Members
Fiddles: Maggie Maguire - Michael Kerr - Maria Connolly
Flutes: Aishling McPhillps - Lorena Maguire
Banjo: Brona Graham/Tomas Quinn
Concertina: Ciaran Hanna
Button Accordion: Christopher Maguire
Piano: Ronan Warnock
Drums: Kieran Leonard
*Video by PJ Phelan - Portlaoise, Ireland*