All Photos ©Kieran Leonard
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Band Members
Maggie Maguire - Band leader. Maggie has been involved in Irish music her entire life, mentoring and encouraging the young musicians of her own county to go on to bigger things being a strong trait of hers. She has held positions as Ulster Youth Officer and more recently Development Officer for Comhaltas. A host of medals and awards have came her way via trio and duet competitions with her brother and sister, as well as solo accolades. She is regularly sought after as an adjudicator and was a member of the Echoes of Eireann Comhaltas tour of 2013. Maggie holds a degree in music from the University of Ulster and has recently been involved with various projects including Michael Ni Sullibheain and the RTE Concert orchestra.
Michael Kerr - Fiddle. Hailing from Co.Tyrone, Michael is one of the most respected fiddlers in Ireland with a unique driving style which is instantly recognizable. A qualified teacher, Michael is a member of the popular group "The Whistlin' Donkeys". After stints touring abroad with various Dance companies and a residency in America, Michael is equally as comfortable playing banjo and guitar which makes him a highly sought after musician.
Maria Connolly - Fiddle. Not just a gifted musician but also a gifted footballer, Maria, from Newtownbutler Co.Fermanagh has represented Fermanagh both at the Fleadh and also the football field being apart of the Fermanagh Ladies Senior Team. A side from her ability on the fiddle, Maria is also recognized as a leading singer. She has achieved many honors through the Fleadh Cheoil and has been a member of the Knockmore right from day one as an U-18 band.
Lorena Maguire - Flute. From Derrygonnelly Co.Fermanagh, like Maria, Lorena has also been a member of the Knockmore from day dot and is also gifted with a beautiful singing voice. Equally as talented on the Flute, Whistle and Guitar, Lorena has won numerous prizes throughout Fleadh Cheoil as well as being a member of the Derrygonnelly Harps All-Ireland Scor Winning group.
Aishling McPhillips - Flute. From Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh and being a holder of an incredible 11 All-Ireland titles, Aishling is one of the best known musicians in the country. A marvelous exponent of the flute and whistle Aishling has toured on 3 separate occasions with Comhaltas, and adjudicated many's an All-Ireland fleadh. Not just recognized as a brilliant musician, Aishling is also an inspiring teacher holding posts at the annual Joe Mooney Summer School Drumshambo and guiding countless students to All-Ireland glory. Aishling was a founding member of Fermanagh's Ar gCeol and assist's Maggie in the running of the band.
Brona Graham - Banjo. From Portglenone Co.Antrim, Brona is one of the best banjo players in Ireland. Highly regarded for her tune knowledge as well as impeccable technique Brona joined the band in 2012. A remarkable player, she is a member of the famous "Salamanca Ceili Band" and can be heard playing on various "Beoga" albums.
Tomas Quinn - Banjo. From Dromore Co.Tyrone, All-Ireland Senior Banjo Champion for 2013, Tomas is a founding member of the "Whistlin' Donkeys". One of the most recognizable banjo players in Ulster, Tomas joined the band in 2014 to cover for Brona and brought a great enthusiasm to everyone with his own unique style of playing.
Ciaran Hanna - Concertina. From Derrytresk Co.Tyrone Ciaran lifted the All-Ireland Senior Concertina Crown alongside the band title in a memorable fleadh. A member of "Reel it In" Ciaran has played all over Ireland and Europe. As well as the concertina, he is an excellent whistle player claiming numerous Ulster titles. A really respected player, Ciaran has been a member of the band since 2012. He currently works in London as a Quantity Surveyor and performs regularly in the thriving music scene.
Christopher Maguire - Box. From Derrygonnelly Co.Fermanagh Chris won his first All-Ireland Title in 2008, winning the Senior Melodeon in Tullamore placing 2nd in the Senior Accordion the same year. He went on to place 2nd in the Accordion on two more occasions in 2010 & 2012 before finally winning in Derry 2013. Chris has toured with Comhaltas in 2012 visiting North America and Britain He is one of the most respected box players in Ireland and is currently working in London with the KN Group.
Ronan Warnock - Piano. From Trillick Co.Tyrone Ronan claimed the All-Ireland Accompaniment title in 2012. Regarded as the finest piano player Irish music has to offer, Ronan's talent is clear to be seen to anyone that listens. A qualified pharmacist, Ronan has played in the band since its origins in the senior category.
Kieran Leonard - Drums. From Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh, Classically trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London Kieran graduated with a BMus and PgDip in Orchestral Percussion & Timpani. A holder of 5 All-Ireland medals including a double in Senior Drums and Senior Bodhran in the space of a day in Cavan 2011. A highly respected Bodhran player and Drummer Kieran has recently worked on the film score for How To Train Your Dragon 2 and freelanced with various Orchestra's as a Timpanist throughout London. Kieran teaches at the Junior Davey Bodhran Academy every summer and is the drummer for the "Goitse Big Band" debuting in Madrid and Milwaukee USA in the summer. Having toured North America and Britain with the Echoes of Eireann group in 2012, Kieran is also a fine Flute and Whistle player.
Michael Kerr - Fiddle. Hailing from Co.Tyrone, Michael is one of the most respected fiddlers in Ireland with a unique driving style which is instantly recognizable. A qualified teacher, Michael is a member of the popular group "The Whistlin' Donkeys". After stints touring abroad with various Dance companies and a residency in America, Michael is equally as comfortable playing banjo and guitar which makes him a highly sought after musician.
Maria Connolly - Fiddle. Not just a gifted musician but also a gifted footballer, Maria, from Newtownbutler Co.Fermanagh has represented Fermanagh both at the Fleadh and also the football field being apart of the Fermanagh Ladies Senior Team. A side from her ability on the fiddle, Maria is also recognized as a leading singer. She has achieved many honors through the Fleadh Cheoil and has been a member of the Knockmore right from day one as an U-18 band.
Lorena Maguire - Flute. From Derrygonnelly Co.Fermanagh, like Maria, Lorena has also been a member of the Knockmore from day dot and is also gifted with a beautiful singing voice. Equally as talented on the Flute, Whistle and Guitar, Lorena has won numerous prizes throughout Fleadh Cheoil as well as being a member of the Derrygonnelly Harps All-Ireland Scor Winning group.
Aishling McPhillips - Flute. From Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh and being a holder of an incredible 11 All-Ireland titles, Aishling is one of the best known musicians in the country. A marvelous exponent of the flute and whistle Aishling has toured on 3 separate occasions with Comhaltas, and adjudicated many's an All-Ireland fleadh. Not just recognized as a brilliant musician, Aishling is also an inspiring teacher holding posts at the annual Joe Mooney Summer School Drumshambo and guiding countless students to All-Ireland glory. Aishling was a founding member of Fermanagh's Ar gCeol and assist's Maggie in the running of the band.
Brona Graham - Banjo. From Portglenone Co.Antrim, Brona is one of the best banjo players in Ireland. Highly regarded for her tune knowledge as well as impeccable technique Brona joined the band in 2012. A remarkable player, she is a member of the famous "Salamanca Ceili Band" and can be heard playing on various "Beoga" albums.
Tomas Quinn - Banjo. From Dromore Co.Tyrone, All-Ireland Senior Banjo Champion for 2013, Tomas is a founding member of the "Whistlin' Donkeys". One of the most recognizable banjo players in Ulster, Tomas joined the band in 2014 to cover for Brona and brought a great enthusiasm to everyone with his own unique style of playing.
Ciaran Hanna - Concertina. From Derrytresk Co.Tyrone Ciaran lifted the All-Ireland Senior Concertina Crown alongside the band title in a memorable fleadh. A member of "Reel it In" Ciaran has played all over Ireland and Europe. As well as the concertina, he is an excellent whistle player claiming numerous Ulster titles. A really respected player, Ciaran has been a member of the band since 2012. He currently works in London as a Quantity Surveyor and performs regularly in the thriving music scene.
Christopher Maguire - Box. From Derrygonnelly Co.Fermanagh Chris won his first All-Ireland Title in 2008, winning the Senior Melodeon in Tullamore placing 2nd in the Senior Accordion the same year. He went on to place 2nd in the Accordion on two more occasions in 2010 & 2012 before finally winning in Derry 2013. Chris has toured with Comhaltas in 2012 visiting North America and Britain He is one of the most respected box players in Ireland and is currently working in London with the KN Group.
Ronan Warnock - Piano. From Trillick Co.Tyrone Ronan claimed the All-Ireland Accompaniment title in 2012. Regarded as the finest piano player Irish music has to offer, Ronan's talent is clear to be seen to anyone that listens. A qualified pharmacist, Ronan has played in the band since its origins in the senior category.
Kieran Leonard - Drums. From Enniskillen Co.Fermanagh, Classically trained at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, London Kieran graduated with a BMus and PgDip in Orchestral Percussion & Timpani. A holder of 5 All-Ireland medals including a double in Senior Drums and Senior Bodhran in the space of a day in Cavan 2011. A highly respected Bodhran player and Drummer Kieran has recently worked on the film score for How To Train Your Dragon 2 and freelanced with various Orchestra's as a Timpanist throughout London. Kieran teaches at the Junior Davey Bodhran Academy every summer and is the drummer for the "Goitse Big Band" debuting in Madrid and Milwaukee USA in the summer. Having toured North America and Britain with the Echoes of Eireann group in 2012, Kieran is also a fine Flute and Whistle player.