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Irish Bands in Cumbria

Irish folk, ceilidh and trad bands for events in Cumbria

Few acts get a room joining in like an Irish band. Across Cumbria, these bands play traditional jigs and reels, Irish ballads, céilí dances and rousing folk-rock covers, and they're a favourite for weddings, family parties and St Patrick's celebrations.

Popular event venues in Cumbria include Eden Barn, Hidden River Barn and Loweswater Village Hall, and our Irish bands play events across Kendal, Carlisle and Windermere. Tell us your venue and the kind of night you have in mind when you enquire and we'll suggest acts that suit both.

Within this category you'll find traditional Irish groups, céilí and folk bands, Irish singers and duos, and Celtic rock bands. Many can play a gentle set early on and a full party set later, and their song lists show exactly what they cover.

We've been booking live bands since 1999, and every Irish act on this page covers Cumbria. Travel is built into the quote, the band brings what it needs to be heard, and you can check your date and price straight away with the instant quote button.

The essentials:

  • Typical cost: from around £600 for a solo singer or duo to £2,500 or more for a full band, depending on line-up, date and set times
  • Traditional trad, céilí, Irish folk, ballads and Celtic rock
  • Sets for a drinks reception, a céilí evening or a full party night
  • Travel is included in every quote
  • Every booking carries a 14-day change-of-mind refund

Start with the kind of night you want. A drinks reception or dinner suits an acoustic trad trio or duo; a wedding evening or big birthday suits an Irish party band; and if you want everyone up dancing together, a céilí band with a caller is the one to book.

Most Irish music bookings fall between about £600 and £2,500. The number of musicians is the biggest factor, followed by the date and how long they play, and St Patrick's weekend books up early. Travel is included in the quote, so the figure you're given is the figure you pay.

Rather than a generic demo, each act's page shows the actual line-up you'd be booking, with videos, audio, a song list and client reviews. Between them you'll get a clear sense of the sound and the show well before the day.

Use the instant quote button on this page to see prices and availability for your date. Once you've chosen an act, we handle the contract, the deposit and the arrangements, and stay in touch through to the day. Every booking includes a 14-day change-of-mind refund, and an emergency contact line is available on the day if anything needs sorting quickly.

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FAQs

The category covers traditional trad groups, céilí bands with a caller, Irish folk and ballad singers, and Celtic rock and Irish party bands that also play modern covers. Each act's page shows its style, line-up and song list.

Yes. Céilí bands come with a caller who explains each dance and walks guests through the steps, so nobody needs to know them in advance. It's one of the best ways to get a whole room dancing together.

Most do. Full bands bring their own PA and lighting; acoustic duos and trios need very little. Larger line-ups need floor space and power nearby, so it's worth checking both with your venue, along with any sound limiter.

From around £600 for a solo singer or duo to £2,500 or more for a full band. The number of musicians, the date and the length of the booking make the biggest difference, and travel is always included in the quote.

Most acts are happy to learn a special request with enough notice, whether that's a traditional air for the ceremony, a ballad for the first dance or a family favourite. Mention it when you enquire.

As early as you can. St Patrick's weekend is the busiest time of year for Irish acts, and the best bands are often booked months ahead. For other dates, a few months' notice is usually plenty.

Reviews

(5)

“The Flying Finns are great guys and very easy to get on with. They really made the party enjoyable and got a crowd going and played some awesome tunes. A+ band”

(5)

“Lanigans Shindig played my wedding recently and they were really impressive. Their music consisted of the Irish standards that every body knew and they had us all singing along to the wild rover and molly malone. A great band, book them, you won't be disappointed.”

(5)

“Natural Born Sinners were incredible, they brought exactly what we were looking for. Gaye from Hireaband was amazing and kept us in the loop throughout the whole process (and put up with us changing the band midway through planning). We would highly recommend Natural Born Sinners and Hireaband to any couples planning their wedding! Thanks so much!”

(5)

“Declan is an excellent performer. His playing during our ceremony was great & our guests had nothing but good things to say about his playing during the reception. He kept in touch each step of the way & adjusted songs as needed. Absolute pro & would hire him again in a heartbeat.”

(5)

“The Scene were absolutely superb, they brought great energy and filled the dance floor for the entire evening. They sounded amazing and the fiddle player for the Irish songs made such a difference, the entire venue was bouncing. Thank you so much for make our evening so memorable!!”

(5)

“The Sherlocks performed at our wedding and they were super - from all the pre correspondence to the performance on the night. We have had nothing but positive feedback from our guests who loved the traditional wedding music combined with a few of our favourite Irish songs. They certainly got the room up singing and dancing! Thanks again to Alastair and the rest of the group”

Local Venues in Cumbria

Eden Barn

Eden Barn

A 200-year-old Westmorland stone barn on 100 acres of the Upper Eden Valley, with the Pennine hills on one side and the Yorkshire Dales on the other.

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Broadoaks Country House

Broadoaks Country House

An Edwardian country house in woodland between Windermere and Ambleside, with a William Morris music room and an orangery with a fire in the grate.

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Hidden River Barn

Hidden River Barn

A glass-walled barn hidden away in 200 acres of ancient woodland near Longtown, with log cabins in the trees and a river running past the door.

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Loweswater Village Hall

Loweswater Village Hall

A former Victorian schoolhouse above the Vale of Lorton, with views over Crummock Water and the Kirkstile Inn a short stroll away down the lane.

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Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa

Armathwaite Hall Hotel and Spa

A 17th-century stately home above Bassenthwaite Lake, with 400 acres of private woodland and deer park, and Skiddaw filling all the windows.

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Holker Hall

Holker Hall

A Cavendish family home since the early 1600s, with 200 acres of famous gardens and old parkland on the gentle southern edge of the Lake District.

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Storrs Hall

Storrs Hall

A listed Georgian mansion right on the shore of Windermere, with lakeside lawns, a jetty of its own and the whole house yours for the night.

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The Den at Four Acre

The Den at Four Acre

Giant linked tipis in a Cumbrian meadow between the Lake District and the Solway Coast, with three days of the place entirely to yourselves.

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Askham Hall

Askham Hall

A medieval hall turned country retreat in the village of Askham, with a converted bank barn, fine food and only a wedding or two in any given week.

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