Starting at age 7, Cillian Vallely learned the whistle and pipes from his parents Brian and Eithne at the Armagh Pipers Club, a group that for over 3 decades has fostered the revival of traditional music in the north of Ireland. Since leaving college, he has played professionally and has toured all over North America and Europe in addition to Japan, Hong Kong and Australia.
Since 1999, he has been a member of the band “Lunasa”, with whom he has recorded 5 albums and played at many major festivals including Womad, Edmonton Folk Festival and The Hollywood Bowl. He has also performed and toured with “Riverdance”, Tim O Brien’s “The Crossing”, New York-based “Whirligig”, and the “Celtic Jazz Collective”.
He has recorded on over 40 albums including “Callanbridge” with his brother Niall, and various guest spots with Natalie Merchant, Alan Simon’s “Excalibur” project with Fairport Convention and Moody Blues, “GAIA” with the Prague Philharmonic and Karan Casey. He has recently recorded on two movie soundtracks, “Irish Jam” and “Chatham” and played pipes on the BBC’s “Flight of the Earls” soundtrack.
His latest work is a new duet album with fellow Lunasa member, Kevin Crawford. The album, "On Common Ground" was recorded mostly on "C" pitched pipes and flute and features quite a few old and rare traditional tunes as well as some self compositions.
Hi There, We started a Facebook site and wanted to let you know about it in you case you have one too and would like to join us there as well as at Myspace. For the link... Just Click here----->
FACEBOOK Urban Monroes Thanks a lot. Hope to see ya there!
Thank you very much for accepting me as a friend on Myspace. I unfortunately missed your concert last year (i think it was in Lisburn) but next one you will have somewhere in NI i will be there. Thank you for your awe inspiring music and playing. Slainte, Tormaigh (Thor)
Thank you so much for the add, Cillian. I really like very much your music! Last Monday, I came back from Scotland. I spent two weeks there and I really enjoyed. I met Joana there, I think she's your cousin, I met her at Edinburgh. We were talking about music and then, your name appeared. So, I found you here and I stopped to listen to your music and I really like how your songs sound. Thank you so much again!
Heya, wonderful times at Swann. Thanks a million for all the pointers and such. It was lovely chatting with you throughout the week and I hope such an opp. rises again soon....
Thanks for the friendship! Great news that you have a new album with Kevin. And of course we love your playing with Lunasa. Hope you will visit Poland someday (cause we are keen on good Irish music - last year we met your brother playing with Karan Casey:-)!
Hi friend! Thanks for the message! I hope everything goes well with your new proyect. If you play near basque country (i always search in your web,but i never find), be sure we will be there. I also play uilleann and i like very much how you play. i wish nex time i go to ireland, we can meet there. Sorry for my english, i..m learning. Best wishes for you! keep in touch!!
Hi Cillian, nice to hear from you. Let me know when you are playing in Wales next - I will be in the USA on June 11th most likely - sad to miss the Aber show. Keep in touch, Pamela
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