Home » Music » Music Genres » Celtic

Celtic Music: Kila

Ranked #9,229 in Music, #250,819 overall | Donates to KIVA

Kíla: "A Fusion of Irish and World Music"

Kila has become known as one of Ireland's top bands with their energetic combination of Irish traditional music and world music. Band members are a diverse collection who are making contributions to Irish music, film, theater and other aspects of irish cuture.

Kila was formed in 1987 in County Dublin at the Irish language secondary school Coláiste Eoin. The original members were Eoin Dillon; Uileann pipes, Colm Mac Con Iomaire; fiddle, Rossa Ó Snodaigh; Whistle, Bones, Rónán Ó Snodaigh; Bodhrán, Karl Odlum; Bass, David Odlum, Guitar. Their first festival appearance was in 1988 at the European Youth Music Festival in Bonn, Germany. Colm Ó Snodaigh joined the group for that festival. While the lineup changed during the '90s, the current members have now been with the band for quite a few years. All members of Kila have contributed to composing and arranging of music for the group.

You can say simply that Kila plays Irish music, but as Rónán Ó Snodaigh said in an article for Ireland's The Post, if people want to know a bit more, it's "Irish music, then hang a right and a left, go round the roundabout, move around a bit."

Kila has performed at many festivals in Ireland, elsewhere in Europe and all over the world. They have recorded 16 CDs and most are still available. In addition, many of the band members have done solo recording. Kila's music has been used in films, most notably the Academy Award-nominated animated feature The Secret of Kells.

Kíla to Headline at Faerieworlds Summer Solstice Celebration

Kíla will make it's first Faerieworlds appearance on June 17-19, 2011 at Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, Oregon. They will be joined by other groups such as Woodland, Delhi2Dublin, Brother and Tricky Pixie and artist/author guests Brian and Wendy Froud and Charles de Lint.


It's not easy to describe in words on a web page the beauty, energy and just wonderfully great times that make up the experience of Kíla, so this lens includes lots of videos. If these don't move you, well, all I can say is, where do we send the flowers for your funeral?

Publicity photo from Kíla's website by Jan Keirse - folkroddels.be

Table of Contents

  1. Kíla: An Introduction to the Band
  2. Rossa Ó Snodaigh
  3. Rónán Ó Snodaigh
  4. Colm Ó Snodaigh
  5. Dee Armstrong
  6. Eoin Dillon
  7. Lance Hogan
  8. Brian Hogan
  9. Soisín
  10. Rogha - The Best of Kíla
  11. The Secret of Kells
  12. Brendan et le secret de Kells
  13. Gamblers' Ballet
  14. Kíla & Oki
  15. Live in Dublin
  16. Luna Park
  17. Monkey
  18. Lemonade & Buns
  19. Tóg É Go Bog É
  20. Mind the Gap
  21. Handel's Fantasy
  22. Kíla Links
  23. Music from Soisín
  24. Kila - Related Lenses
  25. Share Your Thoughts on Celtic Music: Kíla

Kíla: An Introduction to the Band

powered by Youtube

Rossa Ó Snodaigh

Bazouki, Bones, Mandolin, Klingon Nose Trumpet, Vocals and more

Rossa Ó Snodaigh plays so many different instruments he claims to need a wheelbarrow to get them all on stage. This founding member of Kíla has also been active in performances with other Irish bands plus work in television, film and theater. He has composed music for film and theater and has often performed that music as well. He is also very involved in keeping the Irish language alive and was a major force in setting up a Gaelscoil (Irish speaking national school).

What's this about a Klingon nose trumpet? Well, I can't verify Rossa really plays one or even if it exists, but it's listed in his bio page on the band's website. The only thing a Google search turned up for that phrase led to that page.

Rónán Ó Snodaigh

Bodhrán, vocals

Rónán Ó Snodaigh photo by Jose Pereira (from Wikipesida / CC Share-Alike license)Rónán Ó Snodaigh has been described by Hot Press' John Walsh as "the living embodiment of Turlough O Carolan and Bob Marley." A fan spoke of him as "a bleedin legend, The Jimi Hendrix of Bodhrán."

When not lending his driving beats to Kíla's performances and recordings, he has released five solo albums, two collections of songs, one in Irish, one in English, and a volume of poetry. He has performed all over the world not only with Kíla but with other groups including Dead Can Dance.

Colm Ó Snodaigh

Flute, Whistle, Vocals

Colm Ó Snodaigh photo by Jose Pereira (from Wikipedia / CC Share-Alike license)Like his brothers, Colm Ó Snodaigh has been very busy outside of his work with Kíla.

He has recorded several solo albums and composed music for film, theater and dance companies.

Before joining Kíla he qualified as a psychotherapist. He has also published a novella, translated a children's book and is working on a book about civil disobedience.

Dee Armstrong

Fiddle and Percussion

Dee Armstrong photo cropped from publicity photo on Kíla's websiteDee Armstrong, like other members of Kíla, has many other accomplishments to her credit, including being a mother of four.

She is a graduate in Film Making from the Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design, has ballet training, classical music training and is involved in a group of street theater performers.

She has illustrated book covers, designed sets for plays, and is working on her first solo album for a 2011 release.

Eoin Dillon

Uillean Pipe, Tin Whistle, Low Whistle, Vocals

Eoin Dillon photo by Jose Pereira (from Wikipedia / CC Share-Alike license)Another founding member of Kíla, Eoin Dillon started out as a cabinet maker, then learned to make uillean ppes and play them.

Eoin has contributed to the writing of Kíla's music and has released two solo albums. He has also performed with other musicians from around the world.

Lance Hogan

Guitar, Bass, Percussion, Vocals

Lance Hogan publicity photo from Kíla's websiteLance Hogan, multi-instrumentalist, joined Kíla following a stint with Dead Can Dance (Lisa Gerard and Brendan Perry) on percussion, guitar, bass and vocals, but his association with the band began as a producer for their 1993 CD Handel's Fantasy. He has continued to produce the band's albums with five gold and one platinum album to his and the band's credit.

In addition to his work with Kíla, Lance has been involved in numerous film, theater and music production projects, including collaborating with French composer Bruno Coulais on the animated feature The Secret of Kells which featured music from Kíla.

Brian Hogan

Bass, Double Bass, Guitar, Mandolin, Drums, Vocals

Brian Hogan photo by Jose Pereira (from Wilipedia / CC Share-Alike license)Brian Hogan has been playing in bands since he was ten. In the '90s he co-founded several bands including The Galloping Hogans and the Dublin band PAMF.

He has played bass as both a session and freelance player.

In 2009 he founded the band Preacher's Son which has released their first CD.

Soisín

PID - 2010

Track listing:

1. The Kissing Gate
2. The Derry Tune
3. The Bearna Waltz
4. St. Germain
5. 1st Ave
6. Cluainin
7. Soisín
8. Katy's Tune
9. Miles na bPiobairi
10 Chun na Farraige Sios

This album marks a departure from Kíla's high-energy performances with a very gentle approach to the music. It's all instrumental, although there is some wordless vocalizing on "The Kissing Gate," which also includes the best use of a musical saw I've heard since the opening credits of the movie One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. While the mood is much more relaxed, the music is still Kíla's and it's still defintely Irish.

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Music from Soisín

Kila perform live at St.Mary's Collegian Church in Youghal. This is part one. The first tune is "The Kissing Gate" but without the musical saw.
powered by Youtube

Rogha - The Best of Kíla

All Media Entertainment - 2009

Track listing:

Disc 1:
1. Tickelled
2. Leath Ina Dhiahd A hOcht
3. Lemonade & Buns
4. Ni Liom Féin
5. Dusty Wine Bottle
6. Cathain
7. Electric Landlady
8. An Tiománai
9. Ón Taobh Tuathail Amach
10. Epicy
11. Glanfaidh Mé
12. 12 Bi Ann/Leanfaidh Mé

Disc 2:
1. Grand Hotel
2. Tóg É Go Bog É
3. Cardinal Knowledge
4. Topathumi
5. Buddha Waltz
6. Ríla Dó
7. Last Mile Home
8. Bully's Acre
9. Crann Na bPingini
10. Sing to Me
11. Ezekiel
12. Cé Tú Féin
13. Cathain Nua

Order MP3 from Amazon.com
Order MP3 from Amazon.co.uk

Tóg É Go Bog É

Live at Vicar Street, 2002

powered by Youtube

The Secret of Kells

Animated Film on DVD/Blu-Ray

This Oscar-nominated (for best animated feature) film tells the story of Brendan, a young eighth-century monk initiated into the secrets of the Book of Kells by a monk who fled the monastary on the island of Iona ahead of Viking raiders. Brendan, against the abbot's orders, goes into the forest on a magical adventure in which he has to deal with monsters, Vikings and a serpent god. He is aided in his quest by the forest fairy Aisling.

Order DVD/Blu-Ray combo from Amazon.com
Order DVD from Amazon.co.uk
Order Blu-Ray from Amazon.co.uk

The Secret of Kells

Trailer from Cartoon Saloon

powered by Youtube

Brendan et le secret de Kells

Soundtrack MP3

tôt Ou tard - 2009

Track listing:

1. Opening Brendan
2. Brendan and the Secret of Kells
3. The Goose and the Abbot
4. Aisling Song
5. The Mist Doors
6. Vikings
7. The Chi'Rho Page
8. In the Forest
9. Brother Aidan
10. Brendan and Abbot
11. What Are You Doing in my Forest
12. The Eye
13. The Monks
14. Build up to the Attack
15. The Story of Colmicille
16. During the Attack
17. Kells Destroyed
18. The Book of Iona
19. The Book of Kells
20. Epicy
21. Cardinal Knowledge

Order MP3 from Amazon.com
Order MP3 from Amazon.co.uk

Cardinal Knowledge

The video shows the CD cover of Live in Dublin, but this tune is from the soundtrack of The Secret of Kells. Ah, YouTube!
powered by Youtube

Gamblers' Ballet

Phantom Sound & Video - 2008

Track listing:

1. Half Eight/Leath ina dhiaidh a hOcht
2. Electric Landlady
3. Cardinal Knowledge
4. Duisigi
5. Seo mo Leaba
6. Fir Bolg
7. Boy Racer
8. Her Royal Waggeldy Toes
9. Cabhraigi Lei

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Leath ina Dhiaidh a hOcht

powered by Youtube

Kíla & Oki

Kíla - 2006

Track listing:

1. Topattumi
2. Gaire Na Bpaisti
3. Our Children Are Laughing
4. Kai Kai As To
5. Ni Liom Fein
6. Ororo Raha (Mokoro Mokoro)
7. Haon Do
8. Kent Hakka Tufse
9. Last Mile Home

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Live in Dublin

Kíla Records/Celtic - 2004

Track listing:

1. Luna Park
2. Glanfaidh Mé
3. Tine Lasta
4. Grand Hotel
5. Faoiseamh
6. Seo mo Leaba
7. Cabhraigi Lei
8. Bully's Acre
9. Her Royal Waggledy Toes
10. Dusty Wine Bottle
11. Wandering Fish

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Her Royal Waggledy Toes

This tune really is from Live in Dublin.
powered by Youtube

Luna Park

World Village USA - 2003

Track listing:

1. Glanfaidh Mé
2. Hebden Bridge
3. Wandering Fish
4. The Mama Song
5. Baroki
6. Béilín Meala
7. Bully's Acre
8. Grand Hotel
9. Maith Dhom
10. Luna Park
11. The Hour Before Dawn

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Wandering Fish

powered by Youtube

Monkey

Phantom Sound & Vision - 2002

Track listing:

1. Monkey Rumble
2. The Monkey Song
3. The Peach Garden
4. Emperor's Court
5. Traveling Begins
6. China in Turmoil
7. The Dragon
8. Rowing in Dragon Skin
9. Yama and Friends
10. Buddha Waltz
11. Cliffs of Despair
12. The Journey of Enlightenment
13. The Underwater Covenant
14. Walk of Peril
15. Tripitaka Rumble
16. Traveling Home
17. A waltz to Eastern Heaven

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Lemonade & Buns

Green Linnet - 2000

Track listing:

1. Compledgegationist: O'Callaghan's Fight of Fancy/The Compledgegationis
2. Tin Lasta
3. Turlough's
4. Andy's Bar: AR en Imeall/On the Bog/Talamh Slan?
5. An Tiomanai
6. Where Did Ya Hide That Train, Joe?
7. The Liostirin Waltz: Star of the Sea/The Liostrini Waltz
8. Rachel's Reel
9. Epicy
10. Lemonade an Buns: Juillet a Brest/127, Bothar Na Tra/Lemonade and Bun
11. Ge Tu Fein

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Tóg É Go Bog É

Soli Deo Gloria - 1997

Track listing:

1. Gwerzy
2. on Taobh Tuathail Amach
2. Rusty Nails
4. Oh to Kiss Katie
5. Tóg É Go Bog É
6. Jasmine
7.The Seige of Carrickfinn International Airport
8. Dusty Wine Bottle
9. Bi Ann
10. Leanfaidh Mé
11. Crann An bPingini
12. Double Knuckle Shuffle
13. Ril A Do
14. Tip Toe

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Gwerzy

The song title is misspelled on YouTube.
powered by Youtube

Mind the Gap

Phantom Sound & Vision - 1995

Track listing:

1. Tickelled
2. Feach
3. Finnegan
4. Odlum's Wild Oats
5. Tatiana
6. 5.30
7. Juno Humm
8. Delta
9. Baile Bhoithin
10. Mind The Gap
11. Sean Deora
12. Ezekiel
13. Steps
14. Islandbridge

Order from Amazon.com
Order from Amazon.co.uk

Mind the Gap

Video via radio. Just listen.
powered by Youtube

Handel's Fantasy

Kíla Records - 1993

Track listing:

1. Handel's Fantasy
2. Leslie's Tune
3. B'Fheidir
4. Tiggy's Giggles
5. Ril Rossa (5.30 am)
6. Cathain
7. Banda Ruibear
8. Fan Sa Diallat
9. Four Ages of Man
10. Ril a hAon
11. Faoiseamh

Order MP3 from Amazon.com
Order MP3 from Amazon.co.uk

Kíla Links

Kíla's Official Website
Information about the band, tour dates, band members, shop, photos and more.
Faerieworlds Summer Solstice Celebration
Faerieworlds, a celebration of music, art and imagination, takes place in 2011 at Mount Pisgah Arboretum in Eugene, Oregon. Kíla will be one of the headlining bands.
Preacher's Son
Website for Brian Hogan's and Emmaline Duffy-Fallon's band.

Music from Soisín

Part Two

powered by Youtube

Kila - Related Lenses

Loading

Share Your Thoughts on Celtic Music: Kíla

  • TapIn2U Jan 22, 2011 @ 10:37 am | delete
    Wonderful lens dedicated to a wonderful band. They sound great, too. And yes, I agree, some videos would be nice. Blessings! Sundae ;-)
  • Jhangora Jan 21, 2011 @ 5:24 am | delete
    I like listening new sounds. Never really heard Celtic music. Will definitely check out the links on this page. Would be great if you could add some videos as well.
  • MobyD Jan 21, 2011 @ 9:43 am | delete
    Videos - yep, they'll be added. I wanted to get the basic information together first. Thanks for checking out the lens!
Show All

Please donate

Kiva is the world's first online lending platform connecting online lenders to entrepreneurs across the globe. Make a loan to an entrepreneur in the developing world for as little as $25.

Join Squidoo and create your own lenses. They're free and you might even make some money at it through affiliate marketing. Lenses are web pages, but the Squidoo folks call them lenses because the pages focus in on topics. Everyone's an expert on something. Music, humor, books, travel, food, wine, collectibles, sports, movies, photography -- anything that interests you probably interests someone else. Ready to start? CLICK HERE

Back to Top (Please consider rating this lens, and thanks if you do!)

by

MobyD

I'm very interested in Celtic music and have created a series of lenses about performers. See Celtic Music: Lenses (named Lens of the Day on March 16,... more »

Feeling creative? Create a Lens!

Explore related pages

Related Tags