View source for Kíla

{{Short description|Irish musical group}}
{{more citations needed|date=December 2024
}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2020}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Kíla
| image            = Kíla logo (black).svg
| origin           = [[Dublin]], [[Republic of Ireland|Ireland]]
| genre            = [[Irish folk music]]
| years_active     = 1987–present
| label            = Kíla Records
| website          = {{URL|http://www.kila.ie/}}
| associated_acts  = [[The Frames]], [[Hothouse Flowers]]
| current_members  =  Rossa Ó Snodaigh<br />[[Rónán Ó Snodaigh]]<br />Colm Ó Snodaigh<br />Dee Armstrong<br />Brian Hogan<br />Seanán Brennan<br />Dave Hingerty<br />James Mahon
}}
'''Kíla''' is an [[Irish folk music]] group formed in 1987 in [[Coláiste Eoin]], an [[Irish language]] secondary school in [[County Dublin]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Christopher |date=2019-12-16 |title=Kíla's Rónán Ó Snodaigh may be fed up with touring, but loves playing in Dublin |url=https://www.dublinlive.ie/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/kila-ronan-o-snodaigh-interview-17429538 |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Dublin Live |language=en}}</ref>

==History==

=== Early formation ===
The original lineup of the band included Rossa Ó Snodaigh (whistle and [[Bones (instrument)|bones]]), [[Rónán Ó Snodaigh]] ([[bodhrán]]), Eoin Dillon ([[uilleann pipes]]), [[Colm Mac Con Iomaire]] (fiddle), Karl Odlum (bass) and [[David Odlum]] (guitar).<ref>{{Cite web |title=KILA |url=https://journalofmusic.com/listing/05-03-22/kila |access-date=2024-12-30 |website=The Journal of Music {{!}} Music in Ireland: News, Reviews and Opinion |language=en}}</ref> 

In 1988, one of Rossa and Rónán's older brother's, flute player Colm Ó Snodaigh, joined the band. Rónán, Rossa and Colm are brothers of [[Teachta Dála]], [[Aengus Ó Snodaigh]], and sons of [[Pádraig Ó Snodaigh]] and Clíodna Cussen.

They began their musical careers [[Street performance|busking]] in [[Dublin]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 September 2008 |title=Kíla Interview |url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/2008/0904/414490-kila/ |access-date=13 November 2024 |website=RTE}}</ref> In their first year, they busked on [[Grafton Street]] nearly every week. Their first paying concert was upstairs in the Baggot Inn and was attended by only three people, one of whom was the broadcaster [[Bláthnaid Ní Chofaigh]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=2015-04-28 |title=The Greystones Guide {{!}} Kila On The Loose |url=https://www.greystonesguide.ie/the-kila-kid-stays-in-the-picture-2022/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=The Greystones Guide |language=en-GB}}</ref> They played 44 concerts in their first year, most of them at events like book launches for Coiscéim, the Ó Snodaigh's father's publishing company, or at their mother's art exhibition openings or their brother's political campaign launches. 

=== Tours and collaborations ===
In 1988, they went abroad to play at their first festival in [[Germany]] and made their first recording titled Éist - a collection of 10 of Colm's songs. Since then, Kíla have played at the [[Cambridge Folk Festival]],{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}, the [[Glastonbury Festival]],<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2023 |title=Kila - Glastonbury Online |url=https://glastonbury.uk/event/kila/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=Kila - Glastonbury Online}}</ref> and at the opening ceremony of the 2003 [[Special Olympics]] in Ireland.{{Citation needed|date=December 2024}}

In 2006, the band collaborated with [[Ainu people|Ainu]]-Japanese artist [[Oki (musician)|OKI]] on the album "Kila & Oki."<ref name=":0" />

In 2008, Kíla recorded "[[The Ballad of Ronnie Drew]]" along with other artists as a tribute to the Dubliners singer. In 2010, the band collaborated with French composer [[Bruno Coulais]] on the soundtrack of [[Cartoon Saloon]]'s [[Academy Awards|Oscar]]-nominated movie, ''[[The Secret of Kells]]''.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://kila.ie/about/ |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=Official Kíla Website |language=en-GB}}</ref> In the same year, their music was featured in three films: Maeve Murphy's ''[[Beyond the Fire]]'', Ciarán O'Connor's ''Trafficked'', and the award-winning Peter J. McCarthy documentary, ''[[Fight or Flight (documentary)|Fight or Flight]]''. In late 2011, Kíla published ''Book of Tunes'', a book containing over 100 of their compositions, photos, poems and prose.

In 2015, the band collaborated with Bruno Coulais on the music for the Oscar-nominated animated feature, [[Song of the Sea (2014 film)|''Song of the Sea'']],<ref name=":1" /> and they received an [[Annie Awards|Annie Award]] nomination for 'Outstanding Achievement in Music in an Animated Feature Production'. They also received an [[Emmy Awards|Emmy]] nomination for their work on the "Crossing The Line" production called, ''The Secret Life of the Shannon''.

In 2020, Kíla recorded music for the 2019 film ''[[Arracht]]'' (for which they won an [[IFTA Film & Drama Awards|IFTA]])<ref>{{Cite web |last=Diário |first=O. Pint |date=2023-01-20 |title=Around the House: Interview with KÍLA's James Mahon |url=https://www.opintdiario.art/en/post/around-the-house-interview-with-k%C3%ADla-s-james-mahon |access-date=2024-11-13 |website=O Pint Diário |language=en}}</ref> and the 2020 film ''[[Wolfwalkers]]''. ''Arracht'' was nominated for 11 IFTA awards and won two, with Kíla awarded 'Best Original Score'. During the two [[COVID-19 lockdowns]], the band performed six online concerts in a ''Wolfwalker''-themed [[Saint Patrick's Day]] broadcast. After the lockdowns, they went on tour and produced three shows: ''Kíla and Tumble Circus'' (September 2021), ''Kíla le Prás'' (New Year's Eve 2021) and ''Kíla and Cairde'' for [[TradFest|TradFest in the National Stadium]] (January 2022).

== Members ==
In 1988, flute player and singer Colm Ó Snodaigh joined the group. In 1991, fiddler [[Colm Mac Con Iomaire]] and guitarist Dave Odlum left Kíla to join the band [[The Frames]]. Dee Armstrong replaced Colm on fiddle and guitarist Eoin O'Brien, lead guitarist Dave Reidy also joined. In 1994, Karl Odlum left and joined [[Mic Christopher|Mick Christopher]]'s band The Mary Janes; he was replaced by jazz bassist Ed Kelly, who left in 1995 along with Eoin O'Brien after the release of ''Mind The Gap''. Drummer and rhythm guitarist [[Lance Hogan]] took Eoin's place and Laurence O'Keefe filled in on bass until Brian Hogan became bass player prior to recording ''Tóg É Go Bog É'' (1996).

In 2009, Donegal guitarist Seanán Brennan joined the band to replace Hogan, who was on a [[sabbatical]]. In 2010, drummer Dave Hingerty was invited to join the band. In 2015, piper Eoin Dillon left and James Mahon replaced him. [[c:File:Dee_Amstrong_playing_fiddle.jpg|Dee Armstrong]] began playing with Kíla in 1991. She has composed for three animated feature films with the Irish animation studio Cartoon Saloon.

{{Col-start}}{{Col-1-of-2}}

=== Current members ===
* Rossa Ó Snodaigh: mandolin, whistles and percussion (1987–present)
* Rónán Ó Snodaigh: bodhrán and singer (1987–present)
* Colm Ó Snodaigh: fluter and singer (1988–present)
* Brian Hogan: bass (1996–present)
* Seanán Brennan: acoustic and electric guitar, bass and [[mandola]] (2009–present)
* Dave Hingerty: drums (2010–present)
* James Mahon: flute, uilleann pipes and whistles (2015–present)
* Dee Armstrong: fiddle percussion and hammered dulcimer (1991–present)
{{Col-2-of-2}}

=== Former members ===
* Eoin Dillon: uileann pipes (1987–2015)
* Lance Hogan: guitar, djembe and drum kit (1995–2009)
* Laurence O'Keefe: bass (1995–1996)
* Eoin O'Brien: acoustic and electric guitar (1991–1995)
* Ed Kelly: bass (1994–1995)
* Karl Odlum: bass (1987–1994)
* David Reidy: electric guitar (1991–1992)
* [[Dave Odlum]]: acoustic guitar (1987–1991)
* [[Colm Mac Con Iomaire]]: fiddle (1987–1991){{Col-end}}

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Ronan o snodaigh.jpg|alt=Dee Amstro|Rónán Ó Snodaigh
File:COLM O SNODAIGH.jpg|Colm Ó Snodaigh
File:Rossa o Snodaigh.jpg|Rossa Ó Snodaigh
File:Dee Amstrong playing fiddle.jpg|Dee Amstrong
</gallery>

== Discography ==
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=== Studio albums ===

* ''Kíla & Brass - Raise the Road'' (2025)
* ''Suas Síos'' (2014)
* ''Soisín'' (2010)
* ''[[Gamblers' Ballet]]'' (2007)
* ''Kíla and Oki'' (2006) – with [[Oki (musician)|Oki]]
* ''Luna Park'' (2003) – [No. 15 Ire]
* ''Lemonade and Buns'' (2000)
* ''Tóg É Go Bog É'' (1997) – [No. 27 Ire, No. 55 Auz<ref>{{cite Ryan|page=154}}</ref>]
* ''Mind the Gap'' (1995)
* ''Handel's Fantasy'' (1993)
* ''Groovin'<nowiki/>'''<nowiki/>''''' (1991) – 6-track EP

=== Live albums ===

* ''Kíla'' – Alive Beo (2017)
* ''Live in Dublin'' (2004)
* ''Live in Vicar St.'' (2000)

=== Soundtrack albums ===

* ''[[Arracht]]'' – film soundtrack (2021)
* ''[[Wolfwalkers]]'' – film soundtrack with Bruno Coulais (2021)
* ''[[Song of the Sea (2014 film)|Song of the Sea]]'' – film soundtrack with Bruno Coulais (2015)
* ''[[The Secret of Kells]]'' – film soundtrack with Bruno Coulais (2009)
* ''Monkey'' – soundtrack to West End pantomime (2002)

=== Compilation albums ===

* '''The Best Of'' – double album (2009)
* ''Best of and Live in Dublin'' – double album, in Japan only (2005)
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=== Singles ===

* ''Cara Liom'' – featuring the Paul Frost Brass (2023)
* ''Raise the Road'' – featuring the Paul Frost Brass (2023)
* ''Cúrsaí Grá'' – radio single (2019)
* ''Cardinal Knowledge'' – radio edit (2009)
* ''[[The Ballad of Ronnie Drew]]'' – with [[U2]], [[The Dubliners]] and A Band of Bowsies (2008), [No. 1 Ire]
* ''Cabhraigí Léi/Nothing Changes Around Here'' – remixes with [[The Thrills]] giveaway with [[Hot Press]] (2007)  
* ''Leath ina dhiaidh a hOcht'' – radio edit (2007)
* ''hAon Dó and Ní Liom Féin'' – with Oki, radio edits (2006)
* ''Tóg é go Bog é'' – with [[Oki (musician)|Oki]]; featuring remixes by Sakana and Oki (2005)
* ''An Tiománaí'' – with [[Heatwave (band)|Heatwave]]; featuring remix by Sakana (2005)
* ''Glanfaidh Mé'' – radio edit (2003)
* ''Tóg é go Bog é'' – live Christmas single (2002)
* ''Ón Taobh Tuathail Amach'' (1997)

=== DVDs  ===

* ''Pot of Gold/Alive'' – 2 discs, DVD (Pota Óir) and CD (Alive Beo), in the United States only (2021)
* ''Cúl an Tí'' – 12 songs, 12 singers and 12 animators; in collaboration with [[Cartoon Saloon]], [[Fócas Films]] and [[TG4]] (2018)
* ''Kíla 'Once Upon a Time'<nowiki/>'''<nowiki/>''''' – concert film filmed in Vicar St Dublin (2008)
* ''Pota Óir'' – directed by Anthony White (2018)
* ''Live in Vicar St'' – bonus DVD with Luna Park (2003)

=== Books  ===

* ''Leabhar Foinn'' – Kíla (2011)
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=== Solo albums ===

==== Rónán ====

*''Capall Bán Fút'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2025) CD and digital
*''The Beautiful Road'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Myles O'Reilly (2023) (Céirníní Claddagh) vinyl, CD and digital
* ''Tá Go Maith'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Indistinct Chatter (aka Myles O'Reilly) (2021), vinyl and digital
* ''Wild Journeys'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2020), soundtrack album, digital only
* ''Ór and Airgead'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Mark Gavin (2017)
* ''Sos'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh and The Occasionals (2013)
* ''Water Off a Duck's Back'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2011)
* ''The Last Mile Home'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2007)
* ''The Playdays'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2004)
* ''Tonnta Ró'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh (2003)
* ''Tip Toe'' – Rónán Ó Snodaigh and Simon O'Reilly (2001)

==== Colm ====

* ''Giving'' – Colm Ó Snodaigh (2007)
* ''Éist'' – Colm Ó Snodaigh (1990)

==== Brian ====

* ''10 Stories Tall'' – Preachers Son (Brian Hogan) (2014)
* ''Love, Life and Limb – Preachers Son'' (Brian Hogan) (2010)

==== Dave ====

* ''We Burn Bright'' – Side 4 Collective – Dave Hingerty (2020) – vinyl

==== Rossa ====

* ''Aistir ar an Aibítir'' – Rossa Ó Snodaigh (2020) – digital only

==== Eoin ====
* ''The Golden Mean'' – Eoin Dillon, Steve Larkin, Des Cahalan and Frank Tate (2010)
* ''The Third Twin'' – Eo''in Dillon (2005)''{{col-end}}

== References ==

<references/>

== External links ==
* [http://www.kila.ie/ Official website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110910213200/http://www.bluegreenearth.us/archive/article/2007/island/island-3-2007.html Excerpt of an article about Kíla by Donald Mahoney, 2007]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20100317153234/http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/08/13/story16273.asp Article by Nadine O Regan about Kíla and Oki] in the [[Business Post|''Sunday Business Post'']], 13 August 2006

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kila}}
[[Category:Cartoon Saloon people]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1987]]
[[Category:Musical groups from County Dublin]]
[[Category:Irish folk musical groups]]
[[Category:Celtic fusion groups]]
[[Category:People educated at Coláiste Eoin]]
[[Category:Irish Celtic music groups]]
[[Category:Irish-language musical groups]]
[[Category:1980s in Irish music]]
[[Category:1990s in Irish music]]
[[Category:2000s in Irish music]]
[[Category:2010s in Irish music]]
[[Category:2020s in Irish music]]