We are The Sunny Banks (formerly Shanvaghera), a traditional Irish folk band in Bristol. We play pure-drop foot-tapping Irish music. The Sunny Banks met playing on the Bristol Irish session scene, and found a common love of the less-commonly played Irish tunes, played with lift and lilt. The Sunny Banks are fast becoming the most sought after Irish folk group in the South West.
We play traditional Irish folk music on fiddle, flute, banjo and guitar. If you are looking for a traditional Irish folk band for your wedding, birthday party, pub gig, corporate or charity event – The Sunny Banks would love to bring the music.
As well as our repertoire of traditional Irish folk tunes, we are also experienced and energetic ceilidh band, working with the best ceilidh dance callers in the South West. If you are looking for a ceilidh for your event, please do get in touch so we can discuss your requirements.
The Sunny Banks – pure Irish folk music
UPCOMING GIGS
2nd March, in session, The Red Monkey, Redland, Bristol 2-4pm
15th March, St Patrick’s Ceili, The Folk House, Bristol, 7.30pm
16th March, West of England Irish (W.E. Irish) St Patrick’s celebrations, Revolution Bar, Bristol
10th May, private function, M-Shed, Bristol
31st May, private function, Showerings Cider, Shepton Mallet.
5th July, private function, The Sundial, Bristol.
PAST GIGS
18th January 2025, public ceilidh, Seend Centre, Melksham
17th October 2024, Katherine House (care home), Bristol
14th September 2024, private wedding, The Alma, Wandsworth, London
7th September 2024, private function, Boiling Wells Amphitheatre, Bristol
16th August 2024, Caper Ceilidh (charity event), Trinity Centre, Bristol
SOLD OUT29th June 2024, Gaylí: A London Pride ceili, London Irish Centre, London
9th June, Cricklade Festival, Cricklade
25th May, Bristol Ceilidh presents: Shanvaghera, The Folk House, Bristol, 7.30pm
SOLD OUT 15th March 2024, St Patrick’s Day Céilí, The Folk House, Bristol, 7pm
17th March 2024, West of England Irish St Patrick’s Day celebrations, Revolution, Bristol, 2pm
31st January 2024, Shanvaghera in session, The Shakespeare, Bristol 8.30pm-10.30pm
25th January 2024, Burn’s Night Ceilidh, The Shakespeare, Bristol
SOLD OUT 19th October 2023, The Folk House, Bristol, 8pm-9.30pm
The Sunny Banks is…
...Bradon Smith on fiddle. Bradon has been playing fiddle for 30 years, and is a well-known player on the Irish sessions scenes of Bristol, Bath and London. He likes exploring the less paddled backwaters of the Irish tunes tradition, and has a fondness for hornpipes.
…Paul Kerins on tenor banjo. Hailing from Monaghan’s stony grey soil, Paul’s veins pump pure bogwater. His primary weapon is the Irish tenor banjo, but he will, on occasion, unholster his bouzouki for the craic. Listening to him play has a synaesthetic effect, to the point where you can almost smell turf smoke and silage.
…Sheena Vallely on flute. From Armagh, Sheena cut her teeth playing at fleadhs and festivals all over Ireland. Since moving to England, she hasn’t stopped. While essentially traditional in style, her playing is characterised by its strong rhythm and drive.
…and Benjamin Trott on guitar. Ben’s chequered musical upbringing began with an unusual collage of listening to his dad play for Morris dance music on the flute, and Jeff Wayne’s The War of The Worlds on vinyl. He ended up touring in Europe, Australia and America with the Tim Edey Trio, The Albion Band, Frogbelly and Symphony and Blackbeard’s Tea Party. Ben has lived in Bristol for over 10 years now and has been an active part of the local traditional folk music scene in Bristol and Bath. He brings his sensitive guitar arrangements to The Sunny Banks’ sound.
