To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Tulla Céilí Band, TG4 will broadcast a specially commissioned hour-long bilingual documentary charting the remarkable story of the internationally renowned Co. Clare traditional outfit.

Produced by Stray Dog Films (producers of the 2011 Hot Press documentary, The Write Stuff), An Tulla is directed by John O'Donnell and narrated by Doireann Ní Bhriain. O'Donnell was the director of The Write Stuff. The film explores the Tulla Céilí Band, both past and present, and looks at how their particular style and sound was forged and maintained over the years.
They were the first traditional Irish band to record an LP back in 1958, a move which led to them being invited to play at Carnegie Hall.
The documentary also offers a broader and more seamless social history of the times, revealing a tradition which has been handed down from father to son along with exploring how this tradition was quite often slighted, but yet continued to survive in a quickly changing environment.
When the band set out in 1946, no-one would have guessed that their unique sound would find a home in the hearts of many from Camden Town to Carnegie Hall, along with practically every dance hall and village throughout Ireland. Driven by youth, passion, enthusiasm, curiosity and, of course, a love of traditional music, they set out on an unplanned and turbulent journey that has now spanned seven decades.
“One very interesting aspect to the Tulla is how they always seemed to reflect what was happening nationally,” explains director John O’Donnell. “From the beginning they too were plagued by a lack of financial security and the inevitable sense of emigration that loomed. Some of the musicians even used the bands early trips to America in the 1950s as an opportunity to taste this new promised land, and on many subsequent trips, at least one or two members remained behind.
“In the early days, well known musicians such as Paddy Canny, Joe Cooley and Willie Clancy played with the band, but it was really PJ Hayes who kept the band together over the years, when many were forced to leave or emigrate.”
PJ Hayes is the father of master fiddler Martin Hayes.
With contributions from well-respected musicians and broadcasters such as Martin Hayes, Kieran Hanrahan, Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin, Áine Hensey and Joanie Madden, as well as the colourful historian Gearóid Ó Tuatháigh, this film gives a true flavour of the importance of céilí music, not just in Co. Clare, but outside of the country too.
An Tulla screens at 8.15pm on TG4 on December 26th.