Photograph: RTÉ 2FM.

The Kilfenora Céilí Band have released a new album, their eighth – hence: Chapter Eight – at a concert in the INEC in Killarney.

As they describe it themselves: ‘Chapter Eight offers a glimpse of a dynamic band that has adapted with ease to the monumental changes in the Irish traditional music landscape of the last two decades. In particular, the recording showcases a band that has embraced, not only the needs of the dancer, but also the needs of the concert patron who sees inherent aesthetic value in the music of such ensembles. Reflecting this duality, the Kilfenora has pioneered an innovative approach to the performance of their music. Earlier incarnations of the Kilfenora had a propensity for broadening the band’s instrumentation beyond what was perceived by many as ‘traditional’.’

In keeping with their fondness for unusual instrumentation, the new album includes double bass, cello and viola. Apart from reels, jigs, quadrilles, military two-steps, marches, and waltzes, there are also two songs on this one, ‘Come by the Hills’ and ‘Galway Bay’, performed by Galwegian Don Stiffe. The album was recorded in Malbay Studios in Miltown Malbay, County Clare and was produced by Kevin Crawford. The band features four fiddle players (Eimear Howley, Sinéad Heagney, Anne Rynne and Annemarie McCormack), two flautists (Anthony Quigney and Garry Shannon), one concertina player (Tim Collins), one accordian player (Claire Griffin), one banjo player (John Lynch), one drummer (Sean Griffin), and one pianist (Fintan McMahon). Sharon Howley plays cello and Brian O’Grady plays double bass on Chapter Eight.

In conjunction with the release of the album, the band will be playing the following venues over the coming weeks:

The Town Hall Theatre, Galway on 22 April; The Hawkswell Theatre, Sligo on 28 April; Kilfenora, County Clare on 29 April; Clasaċ Theatre, Clontarf, Dublin on 12 May; Cork Opera House on 18 May; and Glor, Ennis on 27 May for Fleadh Nua.

kilfenoraceiliband.com