NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Folk music of Ireland

The folk music of Ireland (also known as Irish traditional music, Irish trad, Irish folk music, and other variants) is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the entire island of Ireland, North and South of the Border. Image File history File links This is a lossless scalable vector image. ... Irish Music is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the entire island of Ireland, North and South of the border. ... -1...

Irish traditional music has survived more strongly against the forces of cinema, radio and the mass media than the indigenous folk music of most European countries. This was partly due to the fact that the country was not a battleground in either of the two world wars.^{[citation needed]} Another significant factor was that the economy was largely agricultural, where oral tradition usually thrives^{[citation needed]}. From the end of the second world war until the late fifties folk music was held in low regard. Comhaltas Ceolteoraí na hEirinn and the popularity of the Fleadh Ceol helped lead the Revival of the music.The English Folk music scene also encoraged and gave self confidence to many Irish musicians Following the success of The Clancy Brothers in the USA in 1959, Irish folk music became fashionable again. The lush sentimental syle of Delia Murphy was replaced by guitar-driven male groups such as The Dubliners. Irish showbands presented a mixture of pop music and folk dance tunes, though these died out during the seventies. The international success of The Chieftains and Enya has made Irish folk music a global brand. Traditional Music is a quasi-synonym for folk music. ... For other uses, see Europe (disambiguation). ... Oral tradition or oral culture is a way of transmitting history, literature or law from one generation to the next in a civilization without a writing system. ... The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem from left to right: Tom, Pat, Liam, and Tommy Makem The Clancy Brothers were an Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, who are often credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. ... Delia Murphy (1902 - 1971) was a singer and collector of Irish ballads. ... The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962, making them one of the older bands still playing music today. ... In Ireland, from the mid 1950s to the late 1970s, the main source of music at dance halls was the showband. ... The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... For the letter Ã‘ pronounced Enye, see Ã‘. Enya (born Eithne Patricia NÃ BhraonÃ¡in[4] on 17 May 1961, Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland), sometimes presented in the media as Enya Brennan, is an Irish singer and songwriter. ...

Historically the old-time music of the USA grew out of the music of Ireland and Scotland, as a result of emigration. By the 1970s Irish traditional music was again influencing music in the USA and further afield to Australia and Europe. It has occasionally been fused with rock and roll, punk rock and other genres. The most successful artists includeRory Gallagher, Thin Lizzy, The Corrs, The Chieftains, Enya, Clannad, Riverdance and Van Morrison. Many of these artists have elements of Irish folk music in their recordings. West Virginia fiddler Edden Hammons, accompanied by his son James on the banjo Old-time music is a form of North American folk music, with roots in the folk musics of many countries, including England, Scotland, Ireland and Africa. ... A memorial statue in Hanko, Finland, commemorating the thousands of emigrants who left the country to start a new life in the United States Emigration is the act and the phenomenon of leaving ones native country or region to settle in another. ... Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... Rory Gallagher (2 March 1948â€“14 June 1995) was an Irish blues/rock guitarist, born in Ballyshannon, County Donegal, grew up in Cork City in the south of Ireland. ... Thin Lizzy are a hard rock band who formed in Dublin, Ireland in 1969. ... The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop rock group from Dundalk, Republic of Ireland. ... The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... For the letter Ã‘ pronounced Enye, see Ã‘. Enya (born Eithne Patricia NÃ BhraonÃ¡in[4] on 17 May 1961, Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland), sometimes presented in the media as Enya Brennan, is an Irish singer and songwriter. ... This article is about the Irish musical group. ... Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ...

Celtic music is a term utilized by artists, record companies, music stores and music magazines to describe a broad grouping of musical genres that evolved out of the folk musical traditions of the Celtic peoples of Northern Europe. ... Music from the United Kingdom has achieved great international popularity since the 1960s, when a wave of British musicians helped to popularise rock and roll. ... Brittany is a Celtic country rich in its cultural heritage. ... traditional Asturian dancers The traditional music of Galicia and Asturias has some similarities with the neighbouring areas of Cantabria, LeÃ³n, Castile and northern Portugal. ... The Music of England has a long history. ... Cornwall has been historically Celtic, though Celtic-derived traditions had been moribund for some time before being revived during a late 20th century roots revival. ... The Tannahill Weavers Scotland is internationally known for its traditional music, which has remained vibrant throughout the 20th century, when many traditional forms worldwide lost popularity to pop music. ... The Isle of Man is a small island nation in the Irish Sea, between Great Britain and Ireland. ... Wales is a part of the United Kingdom, but is a culturally and politically separate Celtic country. ... Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... Celtic music is primarily associated with the folk traditions of Ireland, Scotland and Wales, as well as the popular styles derived from folk culture. ... Irish and Scottish music have long been a major part of American music, at least as far back as the 19th century. ... Jamaican music in the United Kingdom // White Reggae White reggae has very low artistic credibility, but it laid a path for genuine reggae in Britain. ... Timeline and Samples Genres Classical (Carnatic and Hindustani) - Rock - Pop - Hip hop Awards Bollywood Music Awards - Punjabi Music Awards Charts Festivals Sangeet Natak Akademi â€“ Thyagaraja Aradhana â€“ Cleveland Thyagaraja Aradhana Media Sruti, The Music Magazine National anthem Jana Gana Mana, also national song Vande Mataram Music of the states Andaman and...

Traditional music

Like all traditional music, Irish folk music has changed slowly. Most folk songs are less than two hundred years old. One measure of its age is the language used. Only modern Irish songs are written in English, with few exceptions. The rest are in Irish. Most of the oldest songs and tunes are rural in origin. Modern songs and tunes often come from cities and towns.^{[citation needed]} Traditional Music is a quasi-synonym for folk music. ... The English language is a West Germanic language that originates in England. ...

There are several collections of Irish folk music from the 18th century, but it was not until the 19th century that ballad printers became established in Dublin. Important collectors include George Petrie, Edward Bunting, Francis O'Neill, Canon James Goodman and many others. Though solo performance is preferred in the folk tradition, bands or at least small ensembles have probably been a part of Irish music since at least the mid-19th century, although this is a point of much contention among ethnomusicologists. For other persons of the same name, see George Petrie. ... Edward Bunting (1773 â€“ 1843) was an Irish musician and folk song collector. ... Francis ONeill (August 28, 1848â€“January 26, 1936) was an Irish-born American police officer and collector of Irish traditional music. ... Canon James Goodman (1828-1896) was a collector of Irish music. ...

For instance, guitars and bouzoukis only entered the traditional Irish music world in the late 1960s. The bodhrán, once known in Ireland as a tambourine, is first mentioned in the 1600s, although probably is just an adaptation of the ancient Celtic war drum. The banjo is now fully accepted , possibly because of its use in popular 78s made by Irish musicians in the USA in the 1920s. Céilidh bands of the 1940s often included a drum set and stand-up bass as well as saxophones. Neither the drum kit not the sax are accepted by purists, though the banjo is. The harp died out in the late eighteenth century, and was revived by Derek Bell, Mary O'Hara and others. Despite its venerable history, it is rarely encountered. For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... For bouzoukia, see nightclubs in Greece. ... BodhrÃ¡n with tipper The bodhrÃ¡n (IPA or ; plural bodhrÃ¡ns or bodhrÃ¡in) is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65cm (10 to 26) in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45cm (14 to 18). The sides of the drum are 9 to 20cm (3... â€œBubenâ€ redirects here. ... For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... A cÃ©ilidh (pronounced ) is the traditional Gaelic social dance in Ireland, Scotland and Atlantic Canada. ... A drum kit (or drum set or trap set) is a collection of drums, cymbals and sometimes other percussion instruments, such as a cowbell, wood block, chimes or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single drummer. ... The saxophone (colloquially referred to as sax) is a conical-bored musical instrument usually considered a member of the woodwind family. ... Derek Bell (October 21, 1935 - October 17, 2002) was an Irish harpist and composer. ... For the author of the Flicka books, see Mary OHara (author) Mary OHara (born 1935) is a singer and harpist with a pure soprano voice. ...

Furthermore, such "unimpeachable" instruments as button accordion and concertina made their appearances in Irish traditional music only late in the nineteenth century. There is little evidence for the flute having played much part in traditional music. Traditional musicians prefer the wooden simple-style instrument to the the Boehm-system of the modern orchestra. The mass-produced tin whistle is acceptable. A good case can be made that the Irish traditional music of the year 2006 had much more in common with that of the year 1906 than that of the year 1906 had in common with the music of the year 1806. For other uses, see Accordion (disambiguation). ... Wheatstone English concertina, circa 1920 This article is about the musical instrument. ... For other uses, see Flute (disambiguation). ...

There is a three-cornered debate about which instruments are acceptable. Purists favour the line-up that can be heard on albums by The Chieftains, Planxty and the Bothy Band. Modernists accept the drum kit of The Pogues and the electric guitars of Horslips. Classically-influenced composers such as Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin will accept the piano. The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... Planxty was an Irish folk music band formed in the 1970s by Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine (a founder of the Irish mid-sixties group Sweeneys Men), and Liam OFlynn (piper). ... The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band from the 1970s, one of the most prominent and best-loved from the roots revival of that era. ... The Pogues are a band of mixed Irish and English background, playing traditional Irish folk with influences from the English punk rock movement. ... Horslips were a 1970s Irish rock band that composed, arranged and performed their own Celtic rock songs and music based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. ... Dr. MÃcheÃ¡l Ã“ SÃºilleabhÃ¡in is an Irish musician. ...

Musicians from non-Irish styles (bluegrass, oldtime, folk) have discovered the appeal of Irish traditional music. It is usually possible to distinguish the rhythmic pulse and melodic flow of an Irish version of a tune from that of Appalachian or bluegrass versions. Few musicians can be master of more than one style in an authentic way. Kevin Burke's "Celtic Fiddle Festival" is a rare example of blending French, Scottish and Irish styles. Kevin Burke is an Irish fiddler. ...

Due to the importance placed on the melody in Irish music, harmony should be kept simple (although, fitting with the melodic structure of most Irish tunes, this usually does not mean a "basic" I-IV-V chord progression), and instruments are played in strict unison, always following the leading player. True counterpoint is mostly unknown to traditional music, although a form of improvised "countermelody" is often used in the accompaniments of bouzouki and guitar players. Much of the local character of a style comes from the type of decoration that is added to a tune. Harmony is the use and study of pitch simultaneity, and therefore chords, actual or implied, in music. ... For other uses, see Unison (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Counterpoint (disambiguation). ... For bouzoukia, see nightclubs in Greece. ...

Unaccompanied vocals ar sean-nós ("in the old style") are considered the ultimate expression of traditional singing. This is usually performed solo (very occasionally as a duet). Sean-nós singing is highly ornamented and the voice is placed towards the top of the range. A true sean-nós singer will vary the melody of every verse, but not to the point of interfering with the words, which are considered to have as much importance as the melody. To the first-time listener, accustomed to pop and classical singers, sean-nós often sounds more "Arabic" or "Indian" than "Western". Sean nÃ³s is a highly-ornamented style of solo, unaccompanied singing in the Irish tradition. ...

Non-sean-nós traditional singing, even when accompaniment is used, uses patterns of ornamentation and melodic freedom derived from sean-nós, and, generally, a similar voice placement.

The concept of 'style' is of large importance to Irish traditional musicians. At the start of the last century, distinct variation in regional styles of performance existed. With increased communications and travel opportunities, regional styles have become more standardised, with soloists aiming now to create their own, unique, distinctive style, often hybrids of whatever other influences the musician has chosen to include within their style.

Music for dancing

Irish traditional music was largely meant (to the best of our current knowledge) for dancing at celebrations for weddings, saint's days or other observances. Tunes are most usually divided into two eight-bar strains which are each played as many times as the performers feel is appropriate; Irish dance music is isometric. (16 measures are known as a "step", with one 8 bar strain for a "right foot" and the second for the "left foot" of the step. Tunes that are not so evenly divided are called "crooked".) This makes for an eminently danceable music, and Irish dance has been widely exported abroad. For other uses, see Dance (disambiguation). ... For other uses, see Wedding (disambiguation). ... The calendar of saints is a traditional Christian method of organising a liturgical year on the level of days by associating each day with a saint, and referring to the day as the saints day of that saint. ... Dance music is music composed specifically to facilitate or accompany dancing. ... Isometre is the use of pulse without regular meter. ...

Traditional dances and tunes include reels (4/4), hornpipes (4/4 with swung eighth notes), and jigs (the common double jig is in 6/8 time), as well as imported mazurkas, polkas, and highlands (a sort of Irished version of the Scottish strathspey). Jigs come in various other forms for dancing — the slip jig and hop jig are commonly written in 9/8 time, the single jig in 12/8. (The dance the hop jig is no longer performed under the auspices of An Coimisiun.) The form of jig danced in hardshoe are known as double or treble jigs (for the doubles/trebles performed with the tip of the hardshoe), and the jig danced in ghillies/pomps/slippers are known as light jigs. The reel is a folk dance type as well as the accompanying dance tune type. ... This article describes forms of dance. ... The jig (sometimes seen in its French language or Italian language forms gigue or giga) is a folk dance type as well as the accompanying dance tune type, popular in Ireland and Scotland. ... The mazurka (Polish: mazurek, named after Polands Mazovia district; mazurka is the feminine form of mazurek) is a Polish folk dance in triple metre with a lively tempo, containing a heavy accent on the third or second beat. ... Polka is a type of dance and genre of dance music; it originated in the middle of the 19th century in Bohemia, and is still a common genre of Czech folk music; it is also common both in Europe and in the Americas. ... A strathspey is a dance tune in 4/4, usually written in 1/8th notes. ... The jig (sometimes seen in its French language or Italian language forms gigue or giga) is a folk dance type as well as the accompanying dance tune type, popular in Ireland and Scotland. ... Slip jig refers to both a style of Irish music and of Irish dance; the dance is danced to music in slip-jig time. ...

Polkas are a type of 2/4 tune mostly found in the Sliabh Luachra area, at the border of Cork and Kerry, in the south of Ireland. Another distinctive Munster rhythm is the Slide, like a fast single jig in 12/8 time. The main differences between these types of tunes are in the time signature, tempo, and rhythmic emphasis. It should be noted that, as an aural music form, Irish traditional music is rather artificially confined within time signatures, which are not really capable of conveying the particular emphasis for each type of tune. An easy demonstration of this is any attempt to notate a slow air on the musical stave. Similarly, attempts by classically trained musicians to play traditional music by reading the common transcriptions are almost unrecognisable - the transcriptions exist only as a kind of shorthand. Street musicians in Prague playing a polka Polka is a fast, lively Central European dance, and also a genre of dance music. ... Sliabh Luachra is a region in Ireland, located around the River Blackwater, on the Cork/Kerry Borderland. ... Statistics Province: Munster County seat: Cork Code: C Area: 7,457 kmÂ² (2,879 sq mi) Population (2006) 480,909 (including City of Cork); 361,766 (without Cork City) Website: www. ... Statistics Area: 24,607. ... The time signature (also known as meter signature) is a notational convention used in Western musical notation to specify how many beats are in each measure and what note value constitutes one beat. ... For other uses, see Tempo (disambiguation). ...

Set dancing

Set dancing, generally danced in "sets" of four couples (eight hands; a "half set" is two couples or four hands), is one of the most popular forms of the Irish traditional dances. After almost having died out, the recreational dance form was revived in the 1980s in counties Clare and Kerry. Venues for set dancing are often pubs, which might reserve one evening of the week for dancing, and céilís, which almost always feature live céilí bands. It is not uncommon for young people in Ireland's cities (and other large cities around the world) these days to "go set-dancing", as others of their contemporaries go "clubbing". Set dances, sometimes called country sets, are a popular form of folk dancing in Ireland. ... Set dances, sometimes called country sets, are a popular form of folk dancing in Ireland. ... A CÃ©ilidh or cÃ©ilÃ (pronounced kay-lee or kayleigh) is a social event, typically with Celtic music and dancing. ...

Most sets consist of a series of figures. Each figure is danced to a different type of tune with a pause between each figure for the dancers to catch their breath (and perhaps to quickly review the next figure); a reel, jig, hornpipe, and a polka, for instance. Each figure calls for a certain amount of measures of music, and the musicians will often be given a list of the music required for each set ahead of time so the figure and the music will end at the same time.

A caller will sometimes call a set, especially when there are many beginners, but set dancers strive to memorize their sets in order not to need a caller. Attendees will generally see a few of the easier sets at the beginning of the night called for new dancers and visitors, and then the rest of the sets tend to be for "those who know".

Another feature of set dancing is "battering", where the dancers tap/stamp out a rhythm on the floor as they move through the set. At one point in time, this was mainly the province of the "head couple" at the top of the set, as this was generally the most experienced pair of dancers in the set. However, it has become much more common for many if not all of the dancers in a set to batter throughout the set. (This provides either a great deal of energy or simply an overwhelming conglomerate of noise, depending on one's personal viewpoint of the matter.)

Stepdancing

Stepdancing, in the Munster or southern style form, is the most widespread of the Irish dance forms, although there are many others (including the Connemara style, a few scattered remnants of other regional forms of stepdancing, and other forms of Southern style dancing not under the auspices of An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha). Modern stepdancing is connected to the Irish cultural revivals of the nineteenth century in one long line. Modern stepdancers are athletes as well as dancers; champions train for competition in a manner similar to ballet dancers, ice skaters, and gymnasts. It is largely a solo dance form, although group dances or figures exist in a set curriculum of ceili (or, in Scottish Gaelic, ceilidh), or party, dances. Stepdancing was hugely popularized after the success of the Broadway-style musical Riverdance in 1994. Irish stepdance is a type of performance dance originating in Ireland from traditional Irish dance. ... Statistics Area: 24,607. ... Connemara (Irish Conamara), which derives from Conmhaicne Mara (meaning: descendants of Con Mhac, of the sea), is a district in the west of Ireland (County Galway). ... For other uses of Broadway, see Broadway. ... Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ...

The litmus test of the solo stepdancer is the non-traditional set dance (not related to set dancing, where groups of dancers form figures) which is generally choreographed by a dancer's teacher for that dancer or for the teacher's dancing school.

An Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha has long instituted a certification system for teachers and adjudicators through scrúdaithe (examinations/tests). An Coimisiún was established by Conradh na Gaeilge – The Gaelic League – in the late twenties as a commission for the purpose of examining the organisation of Irish dancing as it existed at that time and to make recommendations as to how it might be better organised in the future. The body first met in 1930.

Those who pass the teachers examination receive the TCRG (Teagascóir Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha) certification as certified instructors. After ten years of holding the TCRG certificate, teachers may then test for the ADCRG (Ard Diploma Coimisiún Le Rincí Gaelacha) in order to adjudicate dance competitions (feis; plural, feiseanna). Both tests involve considerable practical, oral, and written demonstration of Irish stepdancing, including the ability to sing certain tunes and identify snippets of the traditional and non-traditional sets -- a formidable task for (often) non-musicians.

Céilidh Dancing

Irish social, or céildh, (IPA pronunciation:['ke?li]) dances vary widely throughout Ireland and the rest of the world. The term céilidh dance was invented in the late 19th century by the Gaelic League, to distinguish non-quadrille dances from the quadrille-based set dances, which were thought to be a British or foreign influence in Ireland. Conradh na Gaeilge (The Gaelic League) is an organization for the purpose of keeping the Irish language spoken in Ireland. ...

A céilidh dance may be performed with as few as four people and as many as sixteen. Céilidh dances may also be danced with an unlimited number of couples in a long line as in e.g. the "Walls of Limerick" or proceeding around in a circle e.g. "The Bonfire Dance". Céilidh dances are often fast-paced and may be quite complicated. In a social setting, a céilidh dance may be "called" -- that is, the upcoming steps are announced during the dance for the benefit of newcomers. A manual of 30 "approved" céilidh dances is published by the Irish Dancing Commission and music for the various dances has been recorded and published by various sources including Glens Music of County Antrim

There is a distinction between the noun céilí, and the adjective. A céilí is a social gathering featuring Irish music and dance. Céilidh dancing is a specific type of Irish dance. Some céilithe (the plural of céildh) will only have céilí dancing (this is called a "fíor céilí" or true céilí, some will only have set dancing ( a sets céildh), and some will be mixed.

Music for céildh dancing is normally provided by a céildh band, a group of musicians numbering anything from 3 to 9 comprising combinations of accordion, fiddle, flute, banjo, drums, piano, bass etc. Modern ceili bands have tended to down-size with the help of effective amplification and electronic devices such as MIDI. However diehard traditionalists would frown on such commercialized developments.

Sean nós dancing

Modern step dancing evolved from sean-nós ("old style") dancing. Sean-nós dancing has a large element of improvisation, but at its best is more than a mere frenetic jumping about; the performance of a skilled sean-nós dancer should convey both restraint and wildness packaged in an unpretentious dignity. The upper body and arms are loose and relaxed, rather than held erect and still as in modern stepdancing, and the footwork is low, hard, and percussive, without the high kicks (over the knee height) of stepdancing. Props are occasionally employed - for example, in "The Brush Dance" the dancer uses a sweeping brush (broom) as a prop.

Sean-nós dancing continues to maintain itself as a living tradition despite the popularity and flash of the more athletic modern stepdancing forms and theatrical spectacles.

Riverdance

Riverdance is a musical and dancing interval act starring Michael Flatley and Jean Butler. Also featuring the choir Anuna, it was performed during the Eurovision Song Contest 1994. Popular reaction to the act was so immense that an entire musical revue was built around the act. Although Riverdance was much criticised in the traditional cultural communities as being only derived from the Irish tradition, with many hybridised dances (American tap, ballet, and jazz elements were introduced; the rhythmic structure of much of the music is not based on traditional Irish music, but has roots in the complex polyrhythms of Eastern Europe) and tunes largely composed for the show by Bill Whelan rather than taken directly from the tradition, the artistic standards of the show were very high, featuring the work of world-class designers, choreographers, dancers and musicians. Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ... Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ... Michael Ryan Flatley (born July 16, 1958 in Detroit, Michigan) is an Irish-American step dancer from the south side of Chicago. ... Jean Butler was born March 14, 1971 in Mineola, Long Island. ... AnÃºna is an Irish choral group that came to world prominence through its involvement with the Riverdance phenomenon in the mid 1990s. ... The Eurovision Song Contest 1994 was the 39th Eurovision Song Contest and was held on April 30, 1994 in the Point Theatre in Dublin, Ireland. ... Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ... This article, image, template or category should belong in one or more categories. ...

Riverdance 's appeal was such that the arts of Ireland were made globally popular in a very short time. Dancing school enrollments skyrocketed, Irish sessions found their numbers swelling with new musicians wishing to take part, and interest in Irish arts rose to an all time high. Irish traditional music sessions are informal gatherings at which people play or sing traditional Irish music. ...

However, many artists found that what was wanted by much of the new audience was not the traditions from which Riverdance was derived, but more spectacle after the fashion of the original stage show, or even direct imitations of the show's Bill Whelan tunes and hybrid-form dance numbers. Many of the eager new musicians vanished upon discovering that Irish traditional music requires practice, skill, and commitment and is not merely an exercise in mass participation to the exclusion of musicality or an excuse to carouse and receive free drink. (The same held true in other Irish cultural communities, such as the stepdance schools.) Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ... This article, image, template or category should belong in one or more categories. ...

Overall, the general feeling of the Irish traditional arts communities seems to be that Riverdance was an enjoyable, expert piece of Broadway-style theatre that did an extremely good job of popularizing Irish culture and arts worldwide, but that the rate of change it inflicted upon the traditional artforms that inspired the show did not sit comfortably with many of the original participants. Still, even the most gloomy or vehement of the show's detractors will often admit that, at the least, the show brought a great deal of needed funds to the Irish cultural and arts communities worldwide. Riverdance Promotional Poster Riverdance is a theatrical show consisting of traditional Irish step dancing, notable for its rapid leg movements while body and arms are kept largely stationary. ...

Instruments used in traditional Irish music

Fiddle

One of the most important instruments in the traditional repertoire, the fiddle (or violin - there is no physical difference) is played differently in widely-varying regional styles. It is normally tuned as GDAE. Modern performers include Brendan Mulvihill, Paddy Cronin, Peter Horan, James Kelly, Martin Hayes, Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh, Cathal Hayden, Paul O'Shaughnessy, Matt Cranitch, Frankie Gavin, Paddy Glackin, Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh, Maire Breatnach and Gerry O'Connor. Sligo fiddlers like Michael Coleman, James Morrison, Paddy Killoran did much to popularise Irish music in the States in the 1920s and 1930s. The Irish Fiddle is one of the most important instruments in the traditional repertoire of Irish music. ... â€œFiddlerâ€ redirects here. ... Paddy Cronin is an Irish fiddler. ... Peter Horan (born 1926, Killavil, County Sligo) is an Irish flute and fiddle player who is known for having developed a unique style influenced by the local irish fiddling tradition. ... Martin Hayes is a fiddler from Ireland, now living in Seattle, Washington. ... CaoimhÃn Ã“ Raghallaigh (born 1979) is a fiddler, born in Dublin, Ireland. ... Frankie Gavin (b. ... Paddy Glackin is an Irish fiddler from Dublin. ... MairÃ©ad NÃ Mhaonaigh is the lead vocalist for famed Irish traditional band Altan. ... Voyage of Bran Maire Breatnach is best known for her fiddle playing, and has been a prolific player in many of Irish groups such as Sharon Shannon, Moya Brennan and Mary Black bands. ... Gerry Fiddle OConnor (born in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland) is a traditional Irish fiddle player. ... Michael Coleman (1889â€“1945) was an Irish fiddler. ... James or Jim Morrison (3 May 1893 - 1947) was a traditional Irish musician known at the Professor who was a notabled fiddle player in the Morrison was born in 1893 near Riverstown, County Sligo at the townland of Drumfin. ... Paddy Killoran is an Irish musician, born in Sligo, Ireland. ...

The best-known regional fiddling traditions are from Donegal, Sligo, Sliabh Luachra and Clare. The Donegal fiddle tradition is a kind of Irish traditional music, based on a tradition, or set of coexisting traditions, at least 200 years old, of playing the fiddle in County Donegal, Ireland. ... WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish Grid Reference G685354 Statistics Province: Connacht County: Elevation: 13 m Population (2006) - Town: - Rural: 17,892 [1] 24,096[1] Website: www. ... Sliabh Luachra is a region in Ireland, located around the River Blackwater, on the Cork/Kerry Borderland. ... County Clare (Contae an ChlÃ¡ir in Irish) is in the Irish province of Munster. ...

The fiddling tradition of Sligo is perhaps most recognizable to outsiders, due to the popularity of American-based performers like Lad O'Beirne, Michael Coleman, John McGrath, James Morrison and Paddy Killoran; Irish Sligo fiddlers included Martin Wynne and Fred Finn. The Kerry region has a wealth of traditional music, to be found in the traditional 'Seisiun' (Irish traditional music session), with the fiddle as a key instrument to lead the gathered musicians. Irish traditional music sessions are informal gatherings at which people play or sing traditional Irish music. ...

Other established fiddlers include(d) Paddy Canny, Bobby Casey, John Kelly, Patrick Kelly, Peadar O'Loughlin, Pat O'Connor and P. Joe Hayes, while Donegal has produced James Byrne, Vincent Campbell, John Doherty and Bridget Regan (of Flogging Molly). Sliabh Luachra, a small area between Kerry and Cork, is known for Julia Clifford, her brother Denis Murphy, Sean Maguire, Paddy Cronin and Padraig O'Keeffe. Contemporary fiddlers from Sliabh Luachra include Matt Cranitch, Gerry Harrington and Connie O'Connell, while Dubliner Séamus Creagh, actually from Westmeath, is imbued in the local style. For other uses, see Patrick Kelly. ... Peadar OLoughlin is an Irish flute, fiddle, and uillean pipes player from Kilmaley County Clare, Ireland who has been an institution in irish music since the late 1940s and is best known for having played on the highly influential 1959 LP All-Ireland Champions - Violin (with Paddy Canny, P... Pat OConnor was a Formula One driver (Indy 500 only) from the United States. ... John Doherty (1895-1980) legendary Irish folk fiddler. ... Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish American punk band that formed in Los Angeles and is currently signed under SideOneDummy Records. ... Statistics Province: Munster County Town: Tralee Code: KY Area: 4,746 kmÂ² Population (2006) 139,616 Website: www. ... Statistics Province: Munster County seat: Cork Code: C Area: 7,457 kmÂ² (2,879 sq mi) Population (2006) 480,909 (including City of Cork); 361,766 (without Cork City) Website: www. ... Julia Clifford (June 19, 1914 â€“ June 18, 1997) was a fiddler and Irish traditional musician. ... Denis Murphy (November 14, 1910 - April 7, 1974) was an Irish fiddler and noted traditional musician. ... Paddy Cronin is an Irish fiddler. ... Padraig OKeeffe (Irish: Padraig OCaoimh) (1887 â€“ 1963) was a noted Irish traditional musician. ...

There has been many notable fiddlers from United States in recent years such as Winifred Horan, Liz Carroll, and Eileen Ivers. Liz Carroll is an Irish-American musician. ... Eileen Ivers is an Irish-American musician Eileen Ivers was born in New York City of Irish-born parents on 13 July 1965, but grew up in the Bronx, NY. She spent summers in Ireland and took up the fiddle at the age of nine. ...

Flute and whistle

The flute has been an integral part of Irish traditional music since roughly the middle of the nineteenth century, when art musicians largely abandoned the wooden simple-system flute (having a conical bore, and fewer keys) for the metal Boehm system flutes of present-day classical music. Tinwhistles: Overton aluminum D by Colin Goldie, Tony Dixon PVC D, Feadog brass D, all cylindrical; Clarke Sweetone D, conical; Generation nickel low Bb and high G; Howard low D. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Tinwhistles: Overton aluminum D by Colin Goldie, Tony Dixon PVC D, Feadog brass D, all cylindrical; Clarke Sweetone D, conical; Generation nickel low Bb and high G; Howard low D. File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... For other uses, see Flute (disambiguation). ... The Irish flute is a sex toy name for a wooden flute used in the playing of Irish traditional music. ... The tin whistle, also called the tinwhistle, whistle, pennywhistle, or Irish whistle, is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. ... The Boehm System is a system of fingerings, created by inventor and flautist Theobald Boehm in the 1830s which was originally used on the flute and then on a variety of woodwind instruments, including the clarinet, bass clarinet and saxophone. ...

Although the choice of the Albert-system, wooden flute over the metal was initially driven by the fact that, being "outdated" castoffs, the old flutes were available cheaply second-hand, the wooden instrument has a distinct sound and continues to be commonly preferred by traditional musicians to this day. A number of excellent players—Joanie Madden being perhaps the best known—use the Western concert flute, but many others find that the simple system flute best suits traditional fluting. Original flutes from the pre-Boehm era continue in use, but since the 1960s a number of craftsmen have revived the art of wooden flute making. Some flutes are even made of PVC; these are especially popular with new learners and as travelling instruments, being both less expensive than wooden instruments and far more resistant to changes in humidity. The term flute most commonly applies to the popular transverse side-blown musical instrument made of metal. ... PVC redirects here. ...

The tin whistle or metal whistle, which with its nearly identical fingering might be called a cousin of the simple-system flute, is also popular. It was mass-produced in nineteenth century Manchester England, as an inexpensive instrument. Clarke whistles almost identical to the first ones made by that company are still available, although the original version, pitched in C, has mostly been replaced for traditional music by that pitched in D, the "basic key" of trad. The other common design consists of a barrel made of seamless tubing fitted into a plastic or wooden mouthpiece. The tin whistle, also called the tinwhistle, whistle, pennywhistle, or Irish whistle, is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument. ... For other uses, see Barrel (disambiguation). ... The mouthpiece of a woodwind instrument is that part of the instrument which is placed partly in the players mouth. ...

Skilled craftsmen make fine custom whistles from a range of materials including not only aluminium, brass, and steel tubing but synthetic materials and tropical hardwoods; despite this, more than a few longtime professionals stick with ordinary factory made whistles.

Irish schoolchildren are generally taught the rudiments of playing on the tin whistle, just as school children in many other countries are taught the soprano recorder. At one time the whistle was thought of by many traditional musicians as merely a sort of "beginner's flute," but that attitude has disappeared in the face of talented whistlers such as Mary Bergin, whose classic early seventies recording Feadóga Stáin (with bouzouki accompaniment by Alec Finn) is often credited with revolutionising the whistle's place in the tradition. Mary Bergin is an Irish folk musician who is widely acknowledged as one of the great masters of the tin whistle. ...

The low whistle, a derivative of the common tin whistle, is also popular, although some musicians find it less agile for session playing than the flute or the ordinary D whistle. Tin whistles in a variety of makes and keys The tin whistle, also called the flageolet, pennywhistle, Irish whistle, or simply whistle, is a simple six-holed breath instrument. ...

Notable present-day flute-players (sometimes called 'flautists' or 'fluters') include Matt Molloy, Kevin Crawford, Peter Horan, Michael McGoldrick, Desi Wilkinson, Conal O'Grada, James Reilly, Emer Mayock, and Joanie Madden while whistlers include Paddy Moloney, Carmel Gunning, Paddy Keenan, Seán Ryan, Andrea Corr, Mary Bergin, and Packie Byrne. Matt Molloys Pub in Bridge Street, Westport Matt Molloy (born 12 January 1947, Ballaghaderreen, County Roscommon) is an Irish musician, from a region known for producing talented flautists. ... Kevin Crawford playing the bodhrÃ¡n Kevin Crawford is a flute, tin whistle and bodhrÃ¡n player. ... Peter Horan (born 1926, Killavil, County Sligo) is an Irish flute and fiddle player who is known for having developed a unique style influenced by the local irish fiddling tradition. ... Michael McGoldrick is a flute and tin whistle player. ... This is a disambiguation page — a navigational aid which lists other pages that might otherwise share the same title. ... Paddy Moloney (born August 1, 1938) is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums. ... Carmel Gunning TTCT is an Irish musician, born in Sligo, Ireland. ... Paddy Keenen is an Irish player of uillann pipes. ... SeÃ¡n Ryan (born 1943) is an Irish Labour Party politician. ... Andrea Jane Corr MBE (born May 17, 1974) is the lead singer of Irish pop-rock band The Corrs and an actress. ... Mary Bergin is an Irish folk musician who is widely acknowledged as one of the great masters of the tin whistle. ...

Uilleann pipes

Uilleann pipes (pronounced ill-in or ill-yun depending upon local dialect) are complex and said to take years to learn to play. It was common to have learning to play the pipes said to be 7 years learning, 7 years practicing and 7 years playing before a piper could be said to have mastered his instrument. Its modern form had arrived by the 1890s, and was played by gentlemen pipers like Seamus Ennis, Leo Rowsome and Willie Clancy, in refined and ornate pieces, as well as showy, ornamented forms played by travelling pipers like John Cash and Johnny Doran. The uilleann piping tradition had nearly died before being re-popularized by the likes of Paddy Moloney (of the Chieftains), and the formation of Na Píobairí Uilleann, an organization open to pipers that included such legends as Rowsome and Ennis, as well as researcher and collector Breandán Breathnach. Liam O'Flynn is one of the most popular of modern performers along with Paddy Keenan, John McSherry, Davy Spillane, Jerry O'Sullivan, Mick O'Brien and many more. Many Pavee (Traveller) families, such as the Fureys and Dorans and Keenans, are famous for the pipers among them. Full set of Uilleann pipes Uilleann pipes (IPA: ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. ... Séamus Ennis (1919 - 1982) was an Irish piper, singer and folk-song collector. ... Leo Rowsome (1903 - 1970) was an Irish player of uilleann bagpipes Rowsome as a teacher performer and maker of uilleann pipes Leo Rowsome was born in April 1903 in Harolds Cross in Dublin City. ... Uilleann-Piper, 1918 - 1973, born in Milltown Malbay, Co. ... Johnny Doran (Exact d. ... Paddy Moloney (born August 1, 1938) is one of the founders of the Irish musical group The Chieftains and has played on every one of their albums. ... The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... BreandÃ¡n Breathnach (1912-1985) was an Irish music collector and Uilleann piper. ... Liam OFlynn (Irish: Liam Ã“g Ã“ Floinn, b. ... Paddy Keenen is an Irish player of uillann pipes. ... John McSherry is an Irish musician who plays the Uilleann pipes and tin whistle. ... Davy Spillane (1959-) is a player of uilleann pipes. ... Jerry OSullivan is a contemporary Irish-American musician. ... This article does not cite its references or sources. ... Irish Travellers are a nomadic or itinerant people of Irish origin living in Ireland, Great Britain and the United States. ...

Uilleann pipes are among the most complex forms of bagpipes; they possess a chanter with a double reed and a two-octave range, three single-reed drones, and, in the complete version known as a full set, a trio of (regulators) all with double reeds and keys worked by the piper's forearm, capable of providing harmonic support for the melody. (Virtually all uilleann pipers begin playing with a half set, lacking the regulators and consisting of only bellows, bag, chanter, and drones. Some choose never to play the full set, and many make little use of the regulators.) The bag is filled with air by a bellows held between the piper's elbow and side, rather than by the performer's lungs as in the highland pipes and almost all other forms of bagpipe, aside from the Scottish smallpipes, the Northumbrian pipes of northern England, and the Border pipes found in both parts of the Anglo-Scottish Border country. Full set of Uilleann pipes Uilleann pipes (IPA: ) are the characteristic national bagpipe of Ireland. ... The bagpiper, by Hendrick ter Brugghen (17th Century, Netherlands) Bagpipes are a class of musical instrument, aerophones using enclosed reeds fed from a constant reservoir of air in the form of a bag. ... It has been suggested that Practice chanter be merged into this article or section. ... A reed is a thin strip of material which vibrates to make music. ... Regulators could refer to: Members of the Regulator movement, a small-scale rebellion in North Carolina during the 1760s. ... A large bellows creates a mushroom cloud at the Exploratorium in San Francisco, California. ... The Scottish smallpipe is a bellows-blown bagpipe developed from the Northumbrian smallpipes by Colin Ross and others, to be playable according to the Great Highland Bagpipe fingering system. ... The Northumbrian smallpipes (also known as the Northumbrian pipes) are bellows-blown bagpipes from the north-east of England. ... The border pipes are a musical instrument that is a close cousin of the Great Highland Bagpipe. ... For other uses, see Border (disambiguation). ...

The uilleann pipes play a prominent part in a form of instrumental music called Fonn Mall, closely related to unaccompanied singing an sean nós ("in the old style"). Willie Clancy, Leo Rowsome, and Garret Barry were among the many pipers famous in their day; Paddy Keenan, Davy Spillane and Robbie Hannon play these traditional airs today, among many others. Sean nÃ³s is a highly-ornamented style of solo, unaccompanied singing in the Irish tradition. ... Uilleann-Piper, 1918 - 1973, born in Milltown Malbay, Co. ... Leo Rowsome (1903 - 1970) was an Irish player of uilleann bagpipes Rowsome as a teacher performer and maker of uilleann pipes Leo Rowsome was born in April 1903 in Harolds Cross in Dublin City. ... Garret Barry was an Irish soldier of the 17th century who served in the Eighty Years War and the Irish Confederate Wars. ... Paddy Keenen is an Irish player of uillann pipes. ... Davy Spillane (1959-) is a player of uilleann pipes. ...

Harp

The harp is among the chief symbols of Ireland. The Celtic harp, seen on Irish coinage and used by Guinness, was played as long ago as the 10th century. In ancient times, the harpers were greatly respected, considered to have near-magical powers and assigned a high place amongst the most significant retainers of the Irish lords and chieftains. Perhaps the best known representative of this tradition of harping today is Turlough Ó Carolan, a blind 18th century harper who is often considered the unofficial national composer of Ireland. Thomas Connellan, a slightly earlier Sligo harper, composed such well known airs as "The Dawning of the Day"/"Raglan Road" and "Carolan's Dream". A clÃ rsach, now in the Museum of Scotland. ... Turlough OCarolan (Irish name Toirdhealbhach Ã“ CearbhallÃ¡in, 1670 - March 25, 1738) was a blind, itinerant Irish harper and composer whose great fame is due to his gifts for composition and verse. ... Thomas Connellan, Irish composer, born c. ... The Dawning of the Day is an old Irish song composed by the blind harpist Thomas Connellan in the 17th Century. ...

The native Irish harping tradition was an aristocratic art music with its own canon and rules for arrangement and compositional structure, only tangentially associated with the folkloric music of the common people, the ancestor of present day Irish traditional music. Some of the late exponents of the harping tradition, such as O'Carolan, were influenced by the Italian Baroque art music of such composers as Vivaldi, which could be heard in the theatres and concert halls of Dublin. The harping tradition did not long outlast the native Gaelic aristocracy which supported it. By the early nineteenth century, the Irish harp and its music were for all intents and purposes dead. Tunes from the harping tradition survived only as unharmonised melodies which had been picked up by the folkloric tradition, or were preserved as notated in collections such as Edward Bunting's, (he attended the Belfast Harp Festival in 1792) in which the tunes were most often modified to make them fit for the drawing room pianofortes of the Anglicised middle and upper classes. Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... Edward Bunting (1773 â€“ 1843) was an Irish musician and folk song collector. ... The Belfast Harp Festival in 1792 was a three day event organised by Edward Bunting, age 19, at the request of James McDonnell and his committee, called the Belfast Harpers Society, whose special interest was the preservation of Irish harp music. ...

The first generations of twentieth century revivalists, mostly playing the gut-strung (frequently replaced with nylon after the Second World War) neo-Celtic harp with the pads of their fingers rather than the old brass-strung harp plucked with long fingernails, tended to take the dance tunes and song airs of Irish traditional music, along with such old harp tunes as they could find, and applied to them techniques derived from the orchestral (pedal) harp and an approach to rhythm, arrangement, and tempo that often had more in common with mainstream classical music than with either the old harping tradition or the living tradition of Irish music. Over the past thirty years a revival of the early Irish harp has been growing, with replicas of the medieval instruments being played, using strings of brass, silver, and even gold. This revival grew through the work of a number of musicians including Arnold Dolmetsch in 1930s England, Alan Stivell in 1960s Brittany, and most importantly Ann Heymann in the USA from the 1970s to the present. Further information is available from the Historical Harp Society of Ireland, Clarsach.net and Early Gaelic Harp Info. Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... (EugÃ¨ne) Arnold Dolmetsch (24 February 1858 - 28 February 1940), was a French-born musician and instrument maker who spent much of his working life in England and established an instrument-making workshop in Haslemere, Surrey. ... Alan Stivell at Lorient Alan Stivell (born Alan Cochevelou January 6, 1944) is a Breton musician from the town of Gourin. ...

Notable players of the modern harp include Derek Bell (of The Chieftains), Laoise Kelly (of The Bumblebees), Grainne Hambly, Máire Ní Chathasaigh, Mary O'Hara, Antoinette McKenna, Michael Rooney, Aine Minogue, Patrick Ball and Bonnie Shaljean. The best of these have a solid background in genuine Irish traditional music, often having strong competency on another instrument more common in the living tradition, such as the fiddle or concertina, and work very hard at adapting the harp to traditional music, as well as reconstructing what they can of the old harpers' music on the basis of the few manuscript sources which exist. However, the harp continues to occupy a place on the fringe of Irish traditional music. Derek Bell (October 21, 1935 - October 17, 2002) was an Irish harpist and composer. ... The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... MÃ¡ire NÃ Chathasaigh is an Irish harpist and singer. ... For the author of the Flicka books, see Mary OHara (author) Mary OHara (born 1935) is a singer and harpist with a pure soprano voice. ... Antoinette McKenna is a singer and harp player that accompanies her husband,Joe McKenna who is a piper. ... Ãine Minogue is a harpist born in Borrisokane, County Tipperary, Ireland, now living in New England in the U.S.A. She began playing the harp at age twelve. ... Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ... Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic politically divided between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. ...

Accordion and concertina

The accordion plays a major part in modern Irish music. Popular players include Joe Burke, John Williams, Billy McComiskey, Joe Joyce, Sharon Shannon, and Dave Hennessy. Concertina players include Niall Vallely, Kitty Hayes, Mícheál Ó Raghallaigh, Tim Collins, Gearoid O hAllmhurain, Mary MacNamara and Noel Hill. Martin Reilly is a notable player from the USA. For other uses, see Accordion (disambiguation). ... Wheatstone English concertina, circa 1920 This article is about the musical instrument. ... Joe Burke (born 1939) is a noted Irish accordion player. ... Annika Johanssons promotional photo of Sharon Shannon captures the spirit of her lively accordion performances. ... Niall and Cillian Vallely are Irish musicians. ... MARTIN REILLY was born (December 16th 1979) and raised in Whitestone, New York. ...

The accordion spread to Ireland late in the 19th century. In its ten-key form (melodeon), it is claimed that it was popular across the island It was recorded in the U.S, early by a German-American John Kimmel,The Flanagan Brothers, Eddie Heburn and Irish-American Peter Conlon. While uncommon, the melodeon is still played in some parts of Ireland, in particular in Connemara by Johnny Connolly. The terms melodeon and melodion can refer to any of several related musical instruments of the free reed aerophone family: A type of 19th century reed organ with a foot-operated vacuum bellows, and a piano keyboard. ... Connemara (Irish Conamara), which derives from Conmhaicne Mara (meaning: descendants of Con Mhac, of the sea), is a district in the west of Ireland (County Galway). ...

Modern Irish accordion players generally prefer the 2 row button accordion. Unlike similar accordions used in other European and American music traditions, the rows are tuned a semi-tone apart. This allows the instrument to be played chromatically in melody. Currently accordions tuned to the keys of B/C and C#/D are by far the most popular systems.

The B/C accordion lends itself to a flowing style; it was popularized by Paddy O'Brien of Tipperaryin the late 1940s and 1950s, Joe Burke and Sonny Brogran in the 1950s and 60s and is popular with box players of the Galway style including Billy McComiskey. Other famous B/C players include Sean Og Graham and Damian McKee (of Beoga), Paddy O'Brien of County Offaly, James Keane, and John Nolan. WGS-84 (GPS) Coordinates: , Irish grid reference R889358 Statistics Province: Munster County: Elevation: 166 m (544 ft) Population (2002) - Town: - Environs: 4,546 418 Tipperary (Irish: Tiobraid Ãrann) is the name of a county, and a town in the south-west of that county. ... Joe Burke (born 1939) is a noted Irish accordion player. ...

The C#/D accordion lends itself to a punchier style and is particularly popular in the slides and polkas of Kerry Music. Notable players include Sharon Shannon, Jackie Daly and Joe Cooley. Annika Johanssons promotional photo of Sharon Shannon captures the spirit of her lively accordion performances. ...

The D/C# system, was played by a limited number of musicians in Ireland from the 1920s{?} and evolved with the 2 row button key, the piano accordion became highly popular during the 1950s and has flourished to the present day in ceilidh bands and for old time Irish dance music. Their greater range, ease of changing key, more fluent action, along with their strong musette tuning blended seamlessly with the other instruments and were highly valued during this period. They were the mainstay of the top Irish and Scottish ceilidh bands, including the Gallowglass Ceili Band, the Fitzgerald Ceili Band, the McStocker Ceili Band. Dermot O'Brien, Malacy Doris, Sean Quinn and Mick Foster are well known Irish solo masters of this instrument and were well recorded. The latest revival of traditional music from the late 1970s also revived the interest in this versatile instrument. Like the button key accordion, a new playing style has emerged with a dry tuning, lighter style of playing and less rhythmic bass. Most notable players of this modern style are Karen Tweed England and Alan Kelly Roscommon. Karen Tweed (born 1963, Willesden) is a piano accordionist from London, England. ... Alan Kelly (born. ...

Concertinas are manufactured in several types, the most common in Irish traditional music being the Anglo system with a few musicians now playing the English system. Each differs from the other in construction and playing technique. The most distinctive characteristic of the Anglo system is that each button sounds a different note, depending on whether the bellows are compressed or expanded. Anglo concertinas typically have either two or three rows of buttons that sound notes, plus an "air button" located near the right thumb that allows the player to fill or empty the bellows without sounding a note. Download high resolution version (1280x951, 106 KB)English Concertina, made by Wheatstone & Co around 1920, velcro added by owner! File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ... Download high resolution version (1280x951, 106 KB)English Concertina, made by Wheatstone & Co around 1920, velcro added by owner! File history Legend: (cur) = this is the current file, (del) = delete this old version, (rev) = revert to this old version. ...

Two-row Anglo concertinas usually have 20 buttons that sound notes. Each row of 10 buttons comprises notes within a common key. The two primary rows thus contain the notes of two musical keys, such as C and G. Each row is divided in two with five buttons playing lower-pitched notes of the given key on the left-hand end of the instrument and five buttons playing the higher pitched notes on the right-hand end. The row of buttons in the higher key is closer to the wrist of each hand. 20 key concertinas have a limited use for Irish traditional musicdue to the limited range of accidentals available.

Three-row concertinas add a third row of accidentals (i.e., sharps and flats not included in the keys represented by the two main rows) and redundant notes (i.e., notes that duplicate those in the main keys but are located in the third, outermost row) that enable the instrument to be played in virtually any key. A series of sequential notes can be played in the home-key rows by depressing a button, compressing the bellows, depressing the same button and extending the bellows, moving to the next button and repeating the process, and so on. A consequence of this arrangement is that the player often encounters occasions requiring a change in bellows direction, which produces a clear separation between the sounds of the two adjacent notes. This tends to give the music a more punctuated, bouncy sound that can be especially well suited to hornpipes or jigs.

English concertinas, by contrast, sound the same note for any given button, irrespective of the direction of bellows travel. Thus, any note can be played while the bellows is either expanded or compressed. As a consequence, sequential notes can be played without altering the bellows direction. This allows sequences of notes to be played in a smooth, continuous stream without the interruption of changing bellows direction.

Despite the inherent bounciness of the Anglo and the inherent smoothness of the English concertina systems, skilled players of Irish traditional music can achieve either effect on each type of instrument by adapting the playing style. On the Anglo, for example, the notes on various rows partially overlap and the third row contains additional redundant notes, so that the same note can be sounded with more than one button. Often, whereas one button will sound a given note on bellows compression, an alternative button in a different row will sound the same note on bellows expansion. Thus, by playing across the rows, the player can avoid changes in bellows direction from note to note where the musical objective is a smoother sound. Likewise, the English system accommodates playing styles that counteract its inherent smoothness and continuity between notes. Specifically, when the music calls for it, the player can choose to reverse bellows direction, causing sequential notes to be more distinctly articulated.

Well known concertina players include Noel Hill and Padraig Rynne. PÃ¡draig Rynne is regarded as one of the finest concertina players in Irish music today being described by The Irish alphabet stew as one of the freshest sounds in Irish music. Born in County Clare, PÃ¡draig grew up in a house steeped in Traditional Irish Music. ...

Banjo

The four-string tenor banjo is favoured by most Irish traditional players, and is commonly tuned GDAE, an octave below the fiddle. It was brought to Ireland by returned emigrants from the United States, where it was developed by African slaves. The banjo, as a relatively loud wire-strung instrument, serves a similar musical function in sessions to the bouzouki and mandolin. Unlike the bouzouki, however, it is seldom strummed (although older recordings will sometimes feature the banjo used as a backing instrument), instead being played as a melody instrument using either a plectrum or a "thimble". While the instrument's percussive sound can add greatly to the "lift" of a session, a poorly played or overly loud banjo can be disruptive. Skilled and sensitive players will generally find themselves welcomed in "open" sessions. Barney McKenna of The Dubliners is often credited with paving the way for the banjo's current popularity, and is still actively playing. Great players include Kieran Hanrahan, John Carty, Angelina Carberry, Fergus O'Byrne, Gerry O'Connor, and Kevin Griffin. For other uses, see Banjo (disambiguation) The banjo is a stringed instrument developed by enslaved Africans in the United States, adapted from several African instruments. ... A world map showing the continent of Africa Africa is the worlds second-largest and second most-populous continent, after Asia. ... Slave redirects here. ... For bouzoukia, see nightclubs in Greece. ... This article is about the musical instrument. ... Various guitar picks A plectrum is a small flat tool used to pluck or strum a stringed instrument. ... Irish traditional music sessions are informal gatherings at which people play or sing traditional Irish music. ... Barney McKenna or Banjo Barney, From Donnycarney as he is known amongst his fellow musicians, (born December 16, 1939) is an Irish singer and musician who plays the tenor banjo, mandolin, and melodeon. ... The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962, making them one of the older bands still playing music today. ... Kieran Hanrahan is an Irish radio host and musician, born in Ennis, Co. ... John Carty is one of Irelands finest traditional musicians. ... Fergus OByrne Fergus OByrne is an Irish-Canadian folk musician, best known as a member of the popular Irish-Newfoundland band trio Ryans Fancy, and as a banjo, concertina and bodhrÃ¡n player. ... This article is about the American musician. ...

The five-string banjo has had little or no role in Irish traditional music as a melody instrument but is becoming more prominent due to the work of people like Luke Kelly and Tom Hanway, an expatriate American banjo player in Ireland. Other five-string banjo players involved with Irish music are Bela Fleck, Leon Hunt and Chris Grotewohl. Tom Hanway with his Stelling SwallowTail banjo. ... Béla Fleck (born July 10, 1958 in New York City, New York) is an American banjo player. ...

Guitar

Guitars have become commonplace in modern sessions. These are usually strummed with a plectrum (pick) to provide backing for the melody players. Irish backing tends to use chord voicings up and down the neck, rather than basic first or second position "cowboy chords"; unlike those used in jazz, these chord voicings seldom involve barre fingerings and often employ one or more open strings in combination with strings stopped at the fifth or higher frets. Modal (root and fifth without the third, neither major nor minor) chords are used extensively alongside the usual major and minor chords, as are suspended and sometimes more exotic augmented chords; however, the major and minor seventh chords are less employed than in many other styles of music. Players usually strum only two to four strings at a time, rather than across all six at once; the strings are often slightly muted with the palm of the plectrum (picking) hand. A monotonous alternating bass is not appropriate, but basslines and flashes of improvised counterpoint, well played, can add considerable style and verve. For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... Irish traditional music sessions are informal gatherings at which people play or sing traditional Irish music. ...

The guitarist follows the leading melody player precisely rather than trying to control the rhythm and tempo. The backing should follow the rhythmic emphasis and pulse of the tune, rather than being simply metronomic counting; a backing that does not "lift" the tune generally kills it. "Folk," "old timey," rock, and bluegrass guitar styles do not fit well with Irish traditional music, not least because many Irish tunes do not fit into a neat chord progression.

As a general rule, no more than two guitarists should play at any one time, and players must strive to complement the tune and each other, instead of competing. The guitarist must be as skilled and as dedicated to the tradition as any of the melody players, and must hold in mind that "less is more." A "rhythm section" is not necessary in the traditional session, and it is always better to sit out a tune or to play so quietly as to only be heard by oneself than to wreck the music by playing jarring chords or an incorrect beat.

Many of the earliest notable guitarists working in traditional music, such as Dáithí Sproule and the Bothy Band's Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, used the DADGAD tuning, to the point that some musicians came to believe that only DADGAD was appropriate. However, tasteful use of standard (EADGBE) and dropped-D (DADGBE) tunings is perfectly suited to traditional music, as shown by the work of, amongst others, Steve Cooney, Arty McGlynn and John Doyle. A host of other altered tunings are also used by some players, most of them modal, like DADGAD, (Paul McSherry), rather than being open-chord tunings like Open-G. The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band from the 1970s, one of the most prominent and best-loved from the roots revival of that era. ... MÃcheÃ¡l Ã“ Domhnaill (1952? â€“ 8 July 2006) was a notable Irish singer and guitarist who became famous for his work with The Bothy Band, Relativity, Nightnoise, and a successful collaboration with fiddler Kevin Burke, among others. ... Categories: Possible copyright violations ... John Doyle may refer to: John Doyle (announcer), whose voice is used by the NIST radio clock John Doyle (artist) (born 1897), Irish artist and grandfather of Arthur Conan Doyle John Doyle (baseball player), Canadian Major League Baseball player John Doyle (comedian), Australian comedian and writer John Doyle (critic) (born... Hailing from west Belfast, Paul McSherry began playing guitar in 1982 at the age of 14. ...

The guitar is used to accompany singers as well as instrumentalists, but it is generally considered to be a serious violation of session etiquette to play behind a singer without being asked. The purest form of Irish traditional song is the unaccompanied solo, and singers often vary their rhythm and alter the melody from verse to verse; an accompanist unfamiliar with the specific song and the individual singer's approach to it will throw the singer off completely.

Melody playing on the guitar is quite possible, but tends to be drowned out in a session environment by the louder instruments such as fiddle and flute. Masters of the guitar in Irish traditional music include Arty McGlynn, Dáithí Sproule, John Doyle, Paul McSherry, Zan McLeod, Loughy (Kieran O'Loughlin), Dennis Cahill and Steve Cooney. Categories: Possible copyright violations ... John Doyle may refer to: John Doyle (announcer), whose voice is used by the NIST radio clock John Doyle (artist) (born 1897), Irish artist and grandfather of Arthur Conan Doyle John Doyle (baseball player), Canadian Major League Baseball player John Doyle (comedian), Australian comedian and writer John Doyle (critic) (born... Hailing from west Belfast, Paul McSherry began playing guitar in 1982 at the age of 14. ...

Bouzouki

The Greek bouzouki was introduced to Irish traditional music in the late 1960s by Johnny Moynihan and then popularized by Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, and Alec Finn. Today's Irish bouzouki (usually) has four courses of two strings (usually) tuned G2D3A3D4. The bass courses are most often tuned in unisons, one feature that distinguishes the Irish bouzouki from its Greek antecedent, although octaves in the bass are favored by some players. Instead of the staved round back of the Greek bouzouki, Irish bouzoukis usually have a flat or lightly arched back. [1]Peter Abnett, the first instrument maker to build an Irish bouzouki (for Dónal Lunny in 1970) makes a three piece staved back. The top is either flat or carved like that of an arch top guitar or mandolin, although some builders carve both the back and the top. Alec Finn and Mick Conneely are the only notable players still using a Greek bouzouki, one of the older style trixordo three course (six string) instruments tuned DAD. Download high resolution version (322x700, 115 KB)Irish Bouzouki. ... Download high resolution version (322x700, 115 KB)Irish Bouzouki. ... An Irish Bouzouki The Irish bouzouki is a slightly modified bouzouki Bouzoukis were introduced into Irish Traditional Music in the 1970s, by Johnny Moynihan and Alec Finn, and popularised by Andy Irvine and DÃ³nal Lunny. ... For bouzoukia, see nightclubs in Greece. ... Johnny Moynihan is a folk singer based in Dublin, Ireland. ... Dónal Lunny is an Irish musician The early years Dónal Lunny was born in 1947 in Tullamore, then moved to Newbridge, Country Kildare. ... See also Andy Irvine (rugby player) Andy Irvine (b. ... For other uses, see Guitar (disambiguation). ... This article is about the musical instrument. ...

Bodhrán

A frame drum, usually of bent wood and goatskin, the bodhrán is considered a relatively modern addition to traditional dance music. Some musicologists suggest its use was originally confined to the wrenboys on St. Stephen's Day and other quasi-ritual processions. It was introduced/popularized in the 1960s by Seán Ó Riada (although there are mentions of "tambourines" without zils being played as early as the mid nineteenth century), and quickly became popular. Great players include Liam O'Maonlai (Hothouse Flowers) Johnny 'Ringo' McDonagh, Tommy Hayes, Eamon Muray of Beoga, Colm Murphy and Fergus O'Byrne (of Ryan's Fancy), John Joe Kelly of Flook and Caroline Corr of The Corrs. BodhrÃ¡n with tipper The bodhrÃ¡n (IPA or ; plural bodhrÃ¡ns or bodhrÃ¡in) is an Irish frame drum ranging from 25 to 65cm (10 to 26) in diameter, with most drums measuring 35 to 45cm (14 to 18). The sides of the drum are 9 to 20cm (3... A 14 goatskin bodhrán stamped MAC - Dublin with two-headed tipper. ... A 14 goatskin bodhrán stamped MAC - Dublin with two-headed tipper. ... A framedrum is a membranophone that has a drumhead diameter greater than its depth. ... In various parts of Ireland on St. ... St Stephens Day, or the Feast of St Stephen, is a Christian saints day celebrated on 26 December in the Western Church and 27 December in the Eastern Church. ... SeÃ¡n Ã“ Riada C. 1955 SeÃ¡n Ã“ Riada (August 1, 1931 - October 3, 1971), born John Reidy, was a composer and bandleader, and perhaps the single most influential figure in the renaissance of traditional Irish music from the 1960s, through his participation in CeoltÃ³irÃ Chualann, his compositions, his writings... Fergus OByrne Fergus OByrne is an Irish-Canadian folk musician, best known as a member of the popular Irish-Newfoundland band trio Ryans Fancy, and as a banjo, concertina and bodhrÃ¡n player. ... Fergus OByrne, Dermot OReilly and Denis Ryan of Ryans Fancy Ryanâ€™s Fancy was a conglomeration of three Irish emigrants to Canada, that rose out of the folk music scene of the late 1960s. ... Flook is an Anglo-Irish band playing traditional-style instrumental music, although much is penned by the band themselves. ... Caroline Corr Caroline Georgina Corr, MBE (born 17 March 1973, in Dundalk, County Louth) is the drummer for the folk-rock band, The Corrs. ... The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop rock group from Dundalk, Republic of Ireland. ...

Although skilled bodhrán players are highly prized by most traditional musicians, the inaccurate perception of many neophytes and other persons only peripherally involved with the living tradition that the bodhrán represents an "easy" way to participate in sessions has caused some players to develop a deep and abiding, if sometimes unreasonable, hatred for the instrument. (A well-known fiddler once described the sound of an ineffectively played bodhrán at a session as 'sounding like a sack of spuds falling down stairs'.)

Mention should also be made here of the "bones" - two slender, curved pieces of bone or wood - and "spoons". Pairs of either are held together in one hand and shaken rhythmically to make a percussive, clacking sound. They should be used sparingly and never (one may fear the worst from the simple existence of this warning) during waltzes, airs, or songs.

Occasionally, at pub sessions, there are some non-tradional hand drums used, such as the West African Djembe drum - which can produce a low booming bass note, as well as a high pitched tone - and the Caribbean Bongo drum. These drums are used as a variation to, or combined with, the bodhrán during sessions. A hand drum is any type of drum that is typically played by striking it with the bare hand rather than a stick, mallet, hammer, or other type of beater. ... A Lenke Wood Djembe From Conakry, Guinea, West Africa A djembe (pronounced JEM-bay) also known as djimbe, jenbe, jembe, yembe, or sanbanyi in Susu; is a skin covered hand drum, shaped like a large goblet, and meant to be played with bare hands. ... Bongos Bongo drums or bongos are a percussion instrument made up of two small drums attached to each other. ...

Harmonica

A well-known instrument found in many kinds of traditional music, the Irish harmonica tradition is best-represented by Mick Kinsella, Paul Moran, the Murphy family from County Wexford, Eddie Clarke and Brendan Power (the latter being of New Zealand). A detailed discography of Irish harmonica albums can be found at http://www.irishmusicreview.com. A harmonica is a free reed wind instrument. ...

Late 19th century revival and the 20th century

The revival of interest in Irish traditional culture was closely linked to Nationalist calls for independence and was catalysed by the foundation of the Gaelic League in 1893. This sought to encourage the rediscovery and affirmation of Irish traditional arts by focusing upon the Irish language, but also established an annual competition, the Feis Cheoil, in 1903 as a focus for its activities.

The Gaelic League was often accused of being a largely middle-class organization and of taking little heed of the interests or enjoyments of those living in rural areas of Ireland; most of the League's meetings were in fact held in London.

Religion also played a role in the re-development of Irish culture. The actual achievement of independence from Britain tallied closely with a new Irish establishment desire to separate Irish culture from the European mainstream, but the new Irish government also paid heed to clerical calls to curtail 'jazz dancing' and other suggestions of a dereliction in Irish morality -- though it was not until 1935 that the Public Dance Halls Act curtailed the right of anyone to hold their own events; from then on, no public musical or dancing events could be held in a public space without a license and most of those were usually only granted to 'suitable' persons - often the parish priest.

Combined with continued emigration, and the priesthood's inevitable zeal in closing down un-licensed events, the upshot was to drive traditional music and dancing back into the cottage where it remained until returning migrants persuaded pub owners to host sessions in the early 1960s.

Pub sessions

Pub sessions are now the home for much of Irish traditional music, which takes place at informal gatherings in urban pubs. The first known of these modern pub sessions took place in 1947 in London's Camden Town at a bar called The Devonshire Arms (although some ethnomusicologists believe that Irish immigrants in the United States may have held sessions before this); the practice was only later introduced to Ireland. By the 1960s pubs like O'Donoghues in Dublin were holding their own pub sessions, and the Fleadh Cheoil music festival was sparking increased popular interest in traditional music Irish traditional music sessions are informal gatherings at which people play or sing traditional Irish music. ... A pub session refers to playing music and/or singing in a public house. ... This article is about the capital of England and the United Kingdom. ... For other uses of Camden, see Camden. ... For other uses, see Dublin (disambiguation). ... The Fleadh Cheoil (lit. ... A music festival is a festival oriented towards music that is sometimes presented with a theme such as musical genre, nationality or locality of musicians, or holiday. ...

1960s and 70s: Revival again

Seán Ó Riada's The Chieftains, The Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners, Sweeney's Men and Planxty were in large part responsible for a second wave of revitalization of Irish folk music in the 1960s, followed up by The Bothy Band and Clannad in the 70s. This revival was aided in part by a loose movement of musicians founded in 1951 with the aim of preserving traditional music, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. SeÃ¡n Ã“ Riada C. 1955 SeÃ¡n Ã“ Riada (August 1, 1931 - October 3, 1971), born John Reidy, was a composer and bandleader, and perhaps the single most influential figure in the renaissance of traditional Irish music from the 1960s, through his participation in CeoltÃ³irÃ Chualann, his compositions, his writings... The Chieftains are a Grammy-winning Irish musical group founded in 1963, known for performing and popularizing Irish traditional music. ... The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem from left to right: Tom, Pat, Liam, and Tommy Makem The Clancy Brothers were an Irish folk music singing group, most popular in the 1960s, who are often credited with popularizing Irish traditional music in the United States. ... The Dubliners are an Irish folk band founded in 1962, making them one of the older bands still playing music today. ... Sweeneys Men was an Irish traditional band. ... Planxty was an Irish folk music band formed in the 1970s by Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine (a founder of the Irish mid-sixties group Sweeneys Men), and Liam OFlynn (piper). ... The Bothy Band was an Irish traditional band from the 1970s, one of the most prominent and best-loved from the roots revival of that era. ... This article is about the Irish musical group. ... Comhaltas CeoltÃ³irÃ Ã‰ireann (Society of Irish Musicians in English), refers to an organisation in Ireland which is dedicated to the promotion of the music, song, dance and language of Ireland. ...

The 1960s saw a number of innovative performers. Christy Moore and Dónal Lunny, for example, first performing as a duo, and later creating two of the best-known bands of the era, Planxty and Moving Hearts (in the 1980s). The Clancys broke open the field in the US in the early part of the decade, which inspired vocal groups like The Dubliners, while Ceoltóirí Chualann's instrumental music spawned perhaps the best-known Irish traditional band, The Chieftains, which formed in 1963. Christopher Andrew Christy Moore (born on May 7, 1945, in Newbridge, County Kildare) is a very popular Irish folk singer, songwriter, and guitarist. ... Legendary Irish musician, DÃ³nal Lunny. ... Moving Hearts was an Irish folk-rock band, formed in about 1980 by seven established musicians. ... CeoltÃ³irÃ Chualann is an Irish traditional band, led by SeÃ¡n Ã“ Riada and consisting of many members of RÃadas other band, The Chieftains. ...

By the 70s, Planxty and Clannad set the stage for a major popular blossoming of Irish music. Formed in 1974, The Bothy Band became the spearcarriers of that movement; their debut album, 1975 (1975), inspired a legion of fans. New groups that appeared in their wake included Moving Hearts formed by Dónal Lunny and Christy Moore and featuring Davy Spillane on uilleann pipes - the first time this had effectively happened in a rock setting. Planxty was an Irish folk music band formed in the 1970s by Christy Moore, Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine (a founder of the Irish mid-sixties group Sweeneys Men), and Liam OFlynn (piper). ... This article is about the Irish musical group. ... Legendary Irish musician, DÃ³nal Lunny. ...

The '70s saw the beginning of fusions of Irish traditional music with American and British rock and roll, beginning perhaps with the band Horslips. Singer-songwriter Van Morrison is also renowned from the trad-rock scene, and is known for incorporating soul and R&B. Rock and roll (also spelled Rock n Roll, especially in its first decade), also called rock, is a form of popular music, usually featuring vocals (often with vocal harmony), electric guitars and a strong back beat; other instruments, such as the saxophone, are common in some styles. ... Horslips were a 1970s Irish rock band that composed, arranged and performed their own Celtic rock songs and music based on traditional Irish jigs and reels. ... The term singer-songwriter refers to performers who both write and sing their own material. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... For other uses, see Soul music (disambiguation). ... Rhythm and blues (or R & B) is a musical marketing term introduced in the United States in the late 1940s by Billboard magazine. ...

Late 20th century: Folk-rock and more...

Traditional music, especially sean-nós, played a major part in Irish popular music later in the century, with Van Morrison, Hothouse Flowers and Sinéad O'Connor using traditional elements in popular songs. Enya achieved enormous international success with New Age/Celtic fusions. The Pogues, led by Shane MacGowan, helped fuse Irish folk with punk rock. This resulted in top ten hits in Ireland, the UK and the USA. Afro-Celt Sound System combined Celtic instrumentals with West African influences and drum n bass in the 1990s. Image File history File links The_Waterboys_perform_in_Dublin_2004. ... Image File history File links The_Waterboys_perform_in_Dublin_2004. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... For the childrens book, see Hot House Flowers. ... SinÃ©ad Marie Bernadette OConnor (pronounced [1]) (born December 8, 1966) is a Grammy Award winning Irish singer and songwriter. ... For the letter Ã‘ pronounced Enye, see Ã‘. Enya (born Eithne Patricia NÃ BhraonÃ¡in[4] on 17 May 1961, Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland), sometimes presented in the media as Enya Brennan, is an Irish singer and songwriter. ... New Age describes a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture. ... The Pogues are a band of mixed Irish and English background, playing traditional Irish folk with influences from the English punk rock movement. ... Shane Patrick MacGowan (born December 25, 1957 in Tunbridge Wells, United Kingdom) is best known as the original singer and songwriter with The Pogues, and is considered one of the most important and poetic Irish songwriters of the last thirty years, often echoing his influences such as Irish playwright Brendan... Punk rock is an anti-establishment music movement beginning around 1976 (although precursors can be found several years earlier), exemplified and popularised by The Ramones, the Sex Pistols, The Clash and The Damned. ... The Afro Celt Sound System are a musical group which attempts to fuse modern dance rhythms (trip_hop, techno, etc) with Celtic and African influences. ... Drum and bass (drum n bass, DnB) is an electronic music style. ...

In the 1980s, major folk bands included De Dannan, Altan, Arcady, Dervish and Patrick Street. A growing interest in Irish music at this time helped many artistes gain more recognition abroad, including Mary Black, and Sharon Shannon. The BBC screened a documentary series about the influence of Irish music called Bringing it all Back Home (a reference to both the Bob Dylan folk song and the way in which Irish traditional music has travelled, especially in the New World following the Irish diaspora, which in turn has come back to influence modern Irish rock music). This series also helped to raise the profile of many artistes relatively little known outside Ireland. De Dannan (originally DÃ© Danann) was an Irish folk music group. ... Altan are an Irish folk and traditional musical group, who originated in Gweedore, County Donegal. ... Arcady (band) redirect Arcadia ... Dervish is a Sligo based traditional Irish music band formed in 1989. ... Patrick Street was one of the top Irish traditional bands of the 1980s, formed in Dublin in 1986 by Kevin Burke (formerly of The Bothy Band) on fiddle, Jackie Daly (De Dannan) on button accordion, Andy Irvine (Sweeneys Men, Planxty) on bouzouki and vocals, and Arty McGlynn (Van Morrison... Mary Black is an Irish singer. ... Annika Johanssons promotional photo of Sharon Shannon captures the spirit of her lively accordion performances. ... For other uses, see BBC (disambiguation). ... This article is about the recording artist. ... Emigrants Leave Ireland, engraving by Henry Doyle (1827-1892), from Mary Frances Cusacks Illustrated History of Ireland, 1868 // The Irish diaspora (Irish: DiaspÃ³ra na nGael) consists of Irish emigrants and their descendants in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Argentina, Mexico, New Zealand...

In the 2000s Beoga, Gráda, Danú and Teada are among the youngest major instrumental bands of a largely traditional bent. The subject of this article may not satisfy the notability guideline for Music. ... DanÃº is an Irish folk group. ... TÃ©ada TÃ©ada is a traditional Irish music group from Ireland. ...

New bands that promote the pub ballads and raucous folk instrumentals include Flogging Molly, the Dropkick Murphys, and the LeperKhanz. There are many other Irish bands developing fusions of local and Irish music such as Skelpin, Flook, Kíla, Gráda, Bushplant (which includes fiddler Mary Custy and Bad Haggis. Largely inspired by The Pogues, bands like this have been formed in the USA and Australia. Flogging Molly is a seven-piece Irish American punk band that formed in Los Angeles and is currently signed under SideOneDummy Records. ... DKM redirects here. ... An unruly crowd on St. ... The subject of this article seems to fail one of the following consensually-accepted Wikipedia inclusion guidelines: If you are familiar with the subject matter, please expand the article to establish its notability, citing reliable sources, so as to avoid it being considered for deletion. ... Flook is an Anglo-Irish band playing traditional-style instrumental music, although much is penned by the band themselves. ... KÃla Rossa Ã“ Snodaigh RÃ³nÃ¡n Ã“ Snodaigh Colm Ã“ Snodaigh Dee Armstrong Eoin Dillon Brian Hogan Lance Hogan KÃla are an Irish folk music group. ... Bad Haggis is a Celtic band with roots based in Irish folk music group from America led by piper Eric Rigler, who has played on dozens of movie soundtracks. ...

A great place to hear traditional Irish music as part of a living and evolving traditions is at Ionad Cultúrtha (website - [2]) which is a regional cultural centre for the traditional and contemporary arts in Ballyvourney (near Macroom in County Cork). It holds many interesting music and visual art events and has a very progressive programming policy.

Top 5 biggest selling Irish acts of all time

Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... This article is about the Irish rock band. ... This article is about the genre. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... For the letter Ã‘ pronounced Enye, see Ã‘. Enya (born Eithne Patricia NÃ BhraonÃ¡in[4] on 17 May 1961, Gaoth Dobhair, County Donegal, Ireland), sometimes presented in the media as Enya Brennan, is an Irish singer and songwriter. ... New Age describes a broad movement characterized by alternative approaches to traditional Western culture. ... George Ivan Morrison OBE (generally known as Van Morrison) (born August 31, 1945) is a Grammy Award-winning Irish singer, songwriter, author, poet and multi-instrumentalist, who has been a professional musician since the late 1950s. ... Blues music redirects here. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... The Cranberries are an Irish alternative rock band that rose to mainstream popularity in the 1990s. ... This article is about the genre. ... Image File history File links Flag_of_Ireland. ... The Corrs are a multi-platinum, Grammy-nominated Celtic folk-rock and pop rock group from Dundalk, Republic of Ireland. ... This article is about the genre of popular music. ...

Audio samples

Columbia State Historic Park, August 2005 Columbia is a former California Gold Rush boom town that lives on as a state-preserved historic park and a National Historic Landmark that preserves the original, gold-rush-town flavor of the town, once dubbed the Gem of the Southern Mines. ...

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