The
Richard Fitzgerald
Céili Band

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Céili Band,
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Some members of the band formed The Quarrymen in 1970.

Donegal News - 1 May 2012

Kathleen Fitzgerald and her fellow members of the Richard Fitzgerald Céili Band were given a Civic Reception by Bundoran Town Council this afternoon. Kathleen’s daughters - Joan, Angela, Gràinne and Marie Thérèse Diver from The Screaming Orphans - were also honoured for their role in promoting the town abroad through their music.

Kathleen Fitzgerald and her fellow members of the Richard Fitzgerald Céili Band were given a Civic Reception by Bundoran Town Council this afternoon. Kathleen’s daughters - Joan, Angela, Gràinne and Marie Thérèse Diver from The Screaming Orphans - were also honoured for their role in promoting the town abroad through their music.

The Fitzgerald Céili Band were one of the most successful Irish Céili Bands of all time. Their tours of the US and Canada in the early 1960s cemented their popularity across the Atlantic. Their biggest hit ‘Beautiful Bundoran’ touched a chord with emigrants from all counties and made a great name for the seaside town even among those who had never been to Ireland.

The Screaming Orphans, who are based in New York, toured with Sinéad O’Connor in 1997 and have also worked with the likes of Baaba Maal, the Afro Celt Sound System, Peter Gabriel, and Joni Mitchell.

Cllr. Michael McMahon, Chair of Bundoran Town Council, was the person who had proposed they be honoured by the town. He said he was delighted “to honour these people who have spread Irish music throughout the world”

He recalled being in New York and Beautiful Bundoran being one of the most played songs on the juke box. “Certainly it was Top of the Pops, there’s no doubt about it, and when Kathleen hit that note, it made a sound that caught the world by storm.”

Town/Village/County: Bundoran, Co. Donegal

Lead Vocals: Kathleen Fitzgerald / Sean Gallagher
Lead Guitar:
2nd Guitar:
Bass:
Violin:
Trumpet:
Trombone:
Drums:
Organ/Piano:
Manager:

Michael Conway, Barney Fitzgerald, John McGarrigle, Noel Meehan, Richard Fitzgerald

Selected Discography

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