I had a request a while ago to upload this tune to YouTube. It’s probably the most requested tune an accordion player gets in Scotland. I’m about to take apart my studio and fit some windows and a new Eco-friendly heating system which will take me some time and cause a lot of disruption but it will all be worth it in the end…I tell myself. The next video i record will show the shiny new studio with light! No more will I be playing in the shadows!
Category: Our Iron Broo Ceilidh Band News
Our Iron Broo Ceilidh Band news pages. We try and blog as much as possible and inform any interested readers of our blog what we are up to. Sometimes we are pretty busy and don’t get time to write much but there is growing pressure in the digital world to inform people regularly and when we are not busy perfecting our ceilidh tunes we will try and fill as much text into our blogosphere as we possibly can. Fit mair can i say aboot it. It says I need 250 words.
Oh wait, two hundred and fifty wirds. or Twa hunner and fifty wurds. Foo mony ways can yi say a phrase to fill oot the text on screen.
I like to ceilidh, you like to ceilidh we all like to ceilidh.
Let’s sing it this time…
No seriously, I’ll do my best to keep posting on the Blog and I’ll ask some of the band to chime in as well as guest bloggers. We have some really funny conversations sometimes and have plenty stories to tell. We are expert on all things Stovies. Few people have imbibed as much Stovie as us. The good, the bad and the runny stuff from the south that would be spat oot in Aberdeenshire. Stovies should only be tatties, beef, ingin’ and butter and gravy drippin’. Nae corned beef, sausages or ither veg.
I think I have my next post sorted…
Confessions of a ceilidh master. Episode 1. A Stovie too far.
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Celebrate Aberdeen – 30th August 2014
Union Terrace Gardens. In Aberdeen. In the rain. A great gig and we were very proud to be a part of the event. It’s a great idea and it should become a regular thing in the summer. It would be great for the city. Aberdeen is screaming out for it. Using our beloved Union Terrace gardens for something that benefits the city. I’m so glad it hasn’t been turned into a multilevel car park and that the council have taken on board what an asset it really can be for it’s citizens. The international market with it’s stalls and food from around the world was excellent as well. It was packed with people. Edinburgh does this sort of thing all the time and they have the same weather we do in Aberdeen. It’s high time we had more of it! It’s great to see families being able to spend a day together in our town centre. -
Ceilidh fundraiser 3rd May 2014 – Peterhead Football Club
Sophie is holding a Ceilidh to raise money for her trip Volunteering in Thailand!Dancing to the popular Ceilidh band ‘Iron Broo’
Tickets are only £10 or £5 child which includes the Ceilidh, Disco, Buffet, Stovies and raffles will be held during the night! There is also a limited amount of free Children’s tickets!
Tickets are available from myself or at different shops which are still to be confirmed! (Will let you know in due course)This event is proving very popular so please get your tickets soon as they are limited!
Sophie’s Facebook event page https://www.facebook.com/events/596851703735149/ -
Archie Ceilidh final figure in.
This came in today’s mail. A thank you from the Archie Foundation with the final figure for the fundraising ceilidh we organised in January. Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success. Plans are afoot for a repeat performance next year…. Maybe we can bump it up a bit too!
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Silly Snapz
Here was the result waiting for showtime at Ardoe House on the 1st of March 2014 for the dental society ball. It was running very late. We had just finsihed a lovely meal in the reception area of the function suite when the photographer of Sillysnapz.co.uk lured us into his booth. Some of us will never quite be the same again… -
Ceilidh raised over 2K for Archie
Ace Fun Had by all.
Our fundraising ceilidh for the Archie Foundation on 18th of January 2014 went very well. We over-sold out the Star Ballroom and had to refuse to sell any more tickets in the end. Which was a shame as we had contemplated booking the bigger ballroom but we didn’t want to take the chance with the bigger expenses involved. Had folk booked their tickets further in advance we could have done it. Hopefully next year we will be a bit better organized and get a bigger venue. We had 150 plus people in the Star, we were a 6 piece band which felt fantastic to play in. Our special guests Paul Anderson ( international Fiddle superstar form Tarland ) and Bob Knight ( Aberdeen award winning folk-songwriter ) did a fantastic job and added a great flavor to the evening.
The final total we raised after costs for the hall hire etc. was over £2000.00. A great night was had by all and it was for a great cause helping create a better hospital in Aberdeen for sick children and their families.
Did you know that the receptionists at the Aberdeen Children’s hospital are all volunteers? The NHS doesn’t pay for receptionists.
I didn’t know that. Archie have been doing a great job in making the Children’s Hospital more child friendly, changing the environment with decorations that distract and grab a child’s imagination. Replacing the cold clinical linoleum wipe clean image that hospitals conjure up, there are now paintings, colorful walls and ceilings. They have created a play area with games, toys and video games to appeal to all ages of children. There is a small wing where parents can sleep overnight , like a hotel so they can be near their children at a difficult time without having to pay the ridiculous prices charged by Hotels in Aberdeen as a result of the lucrative Oil Industry. (Few hotels in Aberdeen will charge anything less than a Hundred pounds a night) Some children may be in hospital for many months or even years which can result in massive financial problems for families. There is a non denominational chapel or prayer room where all faiths or no faiths can spend some quiet time or say their goodbyes. They have a Kitchen where relatives can cook simple meals. They would like to put in more cooking facilities like an oven and a hob but health and safety restrictions won’t allow it. Let’s hope that common sense will prevail in the end.
Archie Have a big revamp planned for the future. I know our £2000 is just a drop in the Ocean to what is required. Maybe our drop in the ocean will ripple, get a little larger and grow into something else. Maybe next year we can do something bigger….
Lots of people have asked already if we will do it again. Making it an annual event. I think we will. Watch this space….
6 piece ceilidh band – Iron Broo
Fred in action Playing the jaws harp
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Ceilidh For Kids – SOLD OUT
I’m very please to say that we have sold out all the tickets for the Archie Foundation fund raiser ‘Ceilidh for KIds’ we have organised for 18th January 2014 at the Aberdeen Beach Ballroom. We are now having to turn people down. I’m looking forward to the gig and hope everything runs smoothly. It’s going to be a great night. I hope everyone remembers to bring something for the raffle so we can raise as much as we can. -
Archie Ceilidh for Kids is growing legs & sprinting.
Latest on the ceilidh for Archie foundation on the 18th January 2014. North east fiddle virtuoso Paul Anderson and Aberdonian songsmith Bob Knight will be performing during the evening.
Iron Broo will be on a strict regime of training everyday next week to ensure maximum ceilidh satisfaction. The Archie foundation have kindly offered to provide a special guest speaker and have asked to combine one of their own events ‘Beards for Bairns’ which may see the need to upgrade to the Bigger main ballroom. The potential for a fantastic evening of fun and fundraising is fast becoming a reality.
All the musicians taking part in this event are doing so for free. All the proceeds raised will go directly to the Archie Foundation and will be used for our local sick kids….This is where YOU CAN make a difference. Please help spread the word. Buy your tickets NOW.
There will be some great prizes in the raffle. If you can donate anything at all for the raffle it will be much appreciated. Please bring it along.
For tickets you can call Charlie Abel on 07802 861390.
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Ceilidh 4 Kids -Raising the roof for Archie with Iron Broo & friends
18th January 2014 – Beach Ballroom. Star Ballroom.
Tickets will be available from Monday 9th of December.
All money raised will be going to help the archie foundation at Aberdeen Sick Childrens Hospital.
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One Man Ceilidh Band in Sicily – A Scottish Wedding in Trapani
In July 2013 I travelled to Trapani, Sicily, to perform as the Iron Broo One Man Ceilidh Band at a Scottish-Sicilian wedding.
It was a great example of why the solo ceilidh setup works so well for destination weddings: only one musician needs to travel, while guests still get live accordion, full dance calling and a proper Scottish ceilidh.
Planning something similar? Find out more about the One Man Ceilidh Band →
I had a fantastic time in Sicily back in July as the One Man Ceilidh Band for a Scottish/Sicilian wedding. Sicily really impressed me. The people are really nice and the food is fantastic. I never once had a bad wine! The white in particular is fantastic.
Landing in Palermo for a few nights then to Trapani for the wedding. The traffic in Palermo is amazing. If you can drive there (and survive), you can drive anywhere!
How to load your lorry – Palermo style
PalermoTrapani is much quieter than Palermo and has a busy fishing port. Beautiful yellow sandstone buildings surrounded by stunning landscapes and blue sea. If you’ve ever seen ‘Inspector Monatalbano’ on the TV, you’ll know what I mean.
I can’t wait to go back.A Scottish-Sicilian Wedding Ceilidh in Trapani
The wedding in Trapani was a sight to be seen. The hotel had a swimming pool that was also used as a harbour for small boats. The wedding reception and meal was held in the evening at the hotel, round this ‘harbour’. The meal ran late which was expected. I lost count on how many courses there were. I think we ate for 5 hours. Pastas, fish, seafood, caponata, all delicious. I wasn’t able to indulge in the wine because I had to play after. I was expected to start around 10.30pm but it was 2.45am before we got started. The calling was interesting with a few overly lubricated Scottish people assuring me they were experts in ceilidh dancing only happy to offer their assistance over the microphone while I was already speaking. It was very funny! I’m sure there were more than a few sore heids the next day.
Made good friends with the piper and the DJ. The piper was from Palermo and loved the sound of the Scottish bagpipes so much he decided to take them up after hearing them on Italian radio. He was very good. Gianluigi Fanzone is his name in case you need a piper in Sicily. gianluigifanzone@tiscali.it
Piper – Gianluigi Fanzone
Discussing Ceilidh tactics
Setting up with Dj EnzoDJ Enzo Monreale kept everyone entertained till about 8am after the ceilidh. He is a natural DJ with a feel and passion for what he does. I’d highly recommend his services in Sicily. A true professional and a real gentleman.Taking a Scottish Ceilidh Abroad
Destination weddings often involve guests from different countries and very different levels of ceilidh experience. Because every dance is called and explained, everyone can join in.
The One Man Ceilidh Band is particularly practical for overseas weddings because flights, accommodation and local transport are much simpler than travelling with a full band. Where necessary, Charlie can also work with suitable PA equipment provided by the venue or a local production company.
After the wedding we traveled around a little in the area, Erice, Marsala Salt flats and went sea angling and had a trip to the Egadi Islands and Favignana. Stunning. We caught lots of small fish and went to head out for some Tuna or some big game fish. I did see a sword fish jump in the water not far from the boat but we had little luck. I did get something big at one point but it broke the line and got away. I’ll have to get him next time.
It was difficult to find a charter for fishing in Sicily. I wanted to catch a big Swordfish or a Tuna or perhaps a Grouper. None of the tourist offices seemed to know that anyone did it, everything was geared up for dolphin spotting or island tours. This will save you the trouble of looking in case you pick this up on Google. This is Andrea’s website….
I swam hereThis beach is down the end of a road to the North of Trapani. You need to walk a few K’s to get there. It’s well worth it though. It’s part of a nature reserve next to an old Tonnara (Tuna) factory.I am looking forward to going back.Planning a Destination Wedding Ceilidh?
Iron Broo can provide Scottish ceilidh entertainment for weddings and events in Scotland and abroad. For destination weddings, the One Man Ceilidh Band can be a particularly flexible and economical option.
See our Destination Wedding Ceilidh Band service for weddings across Europe and beyond
Tell us your date, destination and type of event and we’ll be happy to discuss what would work best.
