Kilfenora is the home of the Kilfenora Ceili Band, one of Ireland's most famous ceili bands. The band formed when group of musicians came together in 1909 with the intention of raising funds for the local church and to play at local houses or cross road dances. They went on to become a household name in Ireland and beyond. The 1950's were the golden era of ceili dancing in Ireland. In the 1960's the band played regularly throughout Ireland and England Huge, crowds turned out to hear them.
There popularity diminished in the '70s with the growth in popularity of the dance halls and show bands. During this quieter period their fiddler Gus Tierney was passing the music on to the next generation during his classes all over North Clare. Many of his pupils went on to turn professional and now several formed the basis of the present Kilfenora band. They present Band gig the length and breadth of Ireland and travel regularly to Britain, Europe and the United States. Their performances are no longer confined to playing for ceili dancers and they regularly entertain at the larger U.S. festivals for audiences of thousands. In 2007 the Kilfenora Ceili Band celebrated 100 years in existence.