Down Kerry way, the Kingdom Céilí Band has taken to the road in fine style. After just a few weeks on the circuit, bookings are pouring in from around the country. Eddie Lee, who is also widely known on the country music circuit, is especially happy with the response to their early gigs.

“We are absolutely thrilled with the way the set dancers have taken to our band in such a short space of time. Bookings are very promising, with dates coming in from all over the country,” says Eddie.

The man from Ballyheigue has been playing music professionally for over 40 years and has recorded in the region of 20 albums. He has travelled extensively throughout Ireland, England, Spain, Portugal and America, playing at festivals and various other ventures.

He has also collaborated on the songwriting scene with Tommy James and Michael Commins, and some of his country songs have proven very popular, including The One Going Home To You Tonight which has had several airings on the Sky 389 Keep It Country channel.

Paddy Casey is from Ballinskelligs and over the years has played accordion, banjo, guitar and keyboard. He now specialises in accordion playing for set dancing.

He played in many Comhaltas and Scór events in his youth and quickly became popular playing for set dancing. He is now one of the foremost accordion players playing for set dancing in Kerry.

Paddy sticks to the old traditional tempo and takes a lot of care in preparing sets of tunes, and there is great lift to his music.

Marianne Browne is the concert flute and whistle player with The Kingdom Band and comes from Ballyduff in Kerry ,where her family are steeped in traditional music. She has won many All-Irelands as a soloist and was a member of The Shannon Vale Céilí Band that won the All-Ireland Céilí Band competition a few years ago.

Watch out for The Kingdom when they come down your way. CL