- Lord McDonald/The Holly Bush/Finbar Dwyer's
- The Piper's Chair/The Gig Rig/Kevin Loughlin's
- Devaney's Goat/Kilty Town/John McNeill's
- Josephine Keegan's/The Queen of the West
- The Tarbolton/The Longford Collector/The Sailor's Bonnet
- The No-Name Polka Set
- Munster Bacon/Sean Ryan's/The Classic
- Coleman's/Paddy Lynn's Delight/Cronin's
- Harper's/The Gallowglass/The B Flat Jig
- Austin Tierney's/Music In The Glen/O'Rourke's/The Wild Irishman
- Georgina's March
- The Pigeon On The Gate/Jim McKillop's Reel for Maeve/The Fiddler's Welcome
- The Duet/The Fly by Night Hornpipes
- The Gravel Walks/Jackson's/Martin Fallon's First Night in America
Press Reviews
Froots
"The Portarlington, Co Laois, Ceili Band will be 30 years old next year and sounds in prime form with this enjoyable album of Irish dance music. Every collection should have one ceili band album and this is as good as any, with some grand stomping music. Thumbs Up".
Musical Traditions Web Site
The Bridge Ceili band, based around north west Leinster, were recorded in 1999 after winning two All Ireland championships in '96 and '97. Every ceili band has it's own sound and the Bridge started off in the early 70s with five fiddles and two flutes as the mainstay of the band and they have maintained that focus through various personnel changes. With box, piano and drums, they are probably closer to the sound that most people would associate with a ceili band. They provide a rich driving sound with all the instruments well balanced and the players keeping tightly to the settings. Having so many fiddlers in the band I suppose the choice of tunes is likely to favour the fiddle so there are a couple of Charlie Lennon compositions, one from Sean Ryan and one of Jim McKillop's. Box players seem to be a good source of tunes too, with Finbarr Dwyer credited with two reels, Kevin Loughlin, the wonderful three row box player from Beleek is acknowledged in another reel, and the inevitable march is composed by the Co Wicklow box player Seamus Dowling. But it's the fiddle that dominates in the end. For instance, two of Michael Coleman's great sets from the 1930's are included, the Tarbolton set, and O'Rourkes/ The Wild Irishman included in a mighty four reel marathon. There's a nice break about halfway through when the fiddles start The Lady's Choice with a simple bodhran accompaniment before the full ceili band returns for the second and third tunes of the set. If I have any complaint with the CD, it's that the band end every track but one very abruptly, almost taking you by surprise with the suddenness of it. That aside, this is a well produced album with a nice history of the band in the sleeve notes and a few words about each of the current members.
Hot Press
About 30 years ago or so I first saw the Bridge Ceili Band in Dublin's National Stadium and I thought they were brilliant, form and energy coalescing in a marvellous full frontal sonic attack. Their new album,(so aptly named) shows clearly that neither time nor the ageing process has dimmed their lights one whit as they steam through a 14 track collection which includes 8, (yes,eight) sets of reels. The playing is superb, the tracks are mesmeric; so that when it skids to a halt with the Gravel Walks set, there's nothing for it, but to hit the replay button again.
Oliver P. Sweeney. 9/12 Dice Spots
The Living Tradition 35 Nov/Dec 99
In May 1970, a bunch of musicians got together in Portarlington to form The Bridge Ceili Band, and they're still playing under the same leader, Eugene Nolan.Obviously there have been several personnel changes in that time, but this is a group that has avoided the staleness that can sometimes creep in over such a lengthy spell. Perhaps this freshness has something to do with the 10-piece line-up, which blends 5, ( yes, FIVE ) fiddles, two flutes, accordion, piano and drums. Unlike some ceili bands, where the plodding of the piano is matched only by the hammering on the drum kit, the Bridge is driven, subtly yet passionately, by the fiddle section, allowing the other instruments to intertwine and build up a smooth fluid sound, in which no-one predominates. But they interact as a true band should, giving a performance which is as tight as I have come across in bands of this style. Their music is chiefly that of the midlands of Ireland, with the occasional Scottish tune being allowed in. Mostly reels here, interspersed with jigs, polkas and hornpipes, plus one march for good measure, with a grand blend of standard and lesser-known tunes. As I have come to expect from this recording company, the packaging is also impressive, with informative background notes about the band and the music, all of which make this a very tasty production indeed.
Gordon Potter
Taplas
The 6 times All-Ireland title holders have certainly put together a spirited and lively collection of tunes, very much in the traditional style, on the second album they've made in their nigh on 30 years existence. Their trademark sound, fronted by five fiddles, is impressively tight, with lovely fluid control. And just to show they can, one track begins with synthesiser and bodhran for a more up to date feel. The sparks on flags of the title refers to the dancer's feet and this CD comes highly recommended for anyone into set dancing.
Bairbre Mc Ateer
Traditional Music Maker
The Bridge Ceili Band, going since 1970 and prizes by the armful for dance playing - fire-off polkas, reels, jigs and marches in true ceili fashion, full on five fiddles, flutes, accordions and drums smack on the beat. It maybe almost 30 years since they began, but this bunch are still pretty much the dance business. 14 tracks and if your feet don't move at some point, dont bother to check them, you must be dead.
Simon Jones.
