The Tradition
This Cork-based group play an exciting mixture of traditional and contemporary Irish folk music dominated by the mystical sounds of the Uilleann pipes but also includes guitar, mandolin, bodhrán & fiddle.
The band performs usually as a duo or Trio for wedding ceremonies and / or pre-meal champagne receptions (providing 50 pieces to choose from for your wedding ceremony).
The band also performs as a 5 piece group after the meal at weddings and this usually takes the form of a céilí with a dance-instructor (who also plays accordion). This works especially well when many of the guests at the wedding are from outside Ireland. Using a radio microphone, the dance instructor will teach the guests some simple Irish dances in an entertaining and light-hearted way. The emphasis here is only on fun and not on perfection of dancing technique! You do not need to know any Irish dancing.
The band will play for up to 2 hours straight through (no break). Songs will also be included between the dances. Full PA and lighting is used.
If you decide to hire the band for both ceremony & drinks reception or ceremony and céilí, there will be a significant discount.
If you were to pick a word to describe this group's music it would be 'diverse'. As well as an impressive array of traditional music from Ireland, Scotland and Brittany.
Although the primary focus of the group is instrumental, some lively and diverse songs are also included in the band's colourful performance.
They will take you on a musical journey from the rugged music of Donegal to the valleys of Cork and Kerry and the driving music of Sliabh Luachra.
Note:
Unfortunately, the band is usually too busy to learn any special requests.
Public Liability Insurance certificate can be provided upon request
If you hire the band to play after the meal at your wedding, setup is during or after the meal (the band will not setup before the meal).
View similar acts:
The Tradition
If you’re looking for a Céilí band, look no further! I organised a Céilí evening as an opportunity to get together with friends and family I hadn’t seen in years.
John and the lads were amazing — so lovely and professional to deal with throughout the whole process. They put on an incredible evening, and the dance floor was packed from start to finish. Thank you for everything!
I had also asked them months before the event if it would be okay for a select few guests to sing with them between the Céilí reels, and they happily agreed. It made the night feel so personal and special to see friends up performing. It was also a lovely surprise for the audience to enjoy while we all caught our breath and grabbed a drink before the next Céilí.
Thank you for one of the most amazing evenings — one we’ll remember for years to come!
Atalia Morrissey | February 2026
The Park Hotel, Dungarvan
The Tradition were outstanding from start to finish. We booked with them as we were looking for a trad band for our drinks reception with solid reviews and now we are adding to those reviews. John and Co were so easy to deal with, so accommodating of our request for a lively set and song to enter the reception to. Our guests absolutely loved them. My only regret is we never got to thank them in person. The music was exceptional and the three lads looked to be enjoying themselves too, which is important to help set the tone of the reception. We can't recommend them highly enough. If you are torn between the two or three piece, we went with the three piece and don't regret it - the music was beautiful.
Ana H | July 2025
Fernhill House, Cork
The band were absolutely fantastic. far exceeded expectations, had everyone up on the dancefloor for the ceili. everyone kept asking me where i found such a great band. would highly recommend. thanks again for making our wedding weekend so brilliant!
Niamh Meade | July, 2018
Wedding
Great band and such fun with the dance instructor getting us all up dancing. They arrived in good time to set up.
Tricia Turner | December 2017
I'm sorry it has taken me so long to write to you after the wedding but it has been a bit hectic. I just wanted to thank you and the rest of your group so much for the wonderful music you played at our wedding ceremony, it sounded absolutely amazing and it made the ceremony all the more special for us. All of our guests commented on how talented the musicians were and how much it added to the overall ceremony. Thank you again
Ann
Hi, We are back from honeymoon and had a great time. I just wanted to drop a quick mail to you to thank you and your partner for playing at our wedding. The music was amazing and made the mass so special for us. Everyone commented how beautiful the music was. Also watched the DVD over the weekend and it was so nice to listen to it all again. I hope to be at a wedding in the near future where ye are playing again so I can listen again! Thanks again for making it so special
Debbie and Henry
Hi guys, Just want to Thank you for providing such perfect music for our wedding, it really made the ceremony. Everybody was asking about you, several wondered did you have a CD? Thanks again
Teresa and Joe
John and the group were absolutely wonderful and everyone had a ball. John is so multi talented as a musician, Johnny Bongos kept the beat, and Mags McCarthy stole the show with her fiddling and dancing. If any group is looking for the best in Gaelic music......this is the group!!!
Jon Colton | July 2017
Based in Cork
