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Traditional Irish Music

There is a rich culture relating to traditional music in Ireland. This is prevalent along its west coast, in particular in Co. Clare. Over the years its popularity has been steadily growing both within Ireland and around the world thanks to festivals like the annual Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, shows like Riverdance and bands and performers such as Dervish and Sharon Shannon.

Cathal Hayden on Banjo at The Doolin Folk Festival 2016 - The Irish Place #doolinfest

The Irish Banjo – Music, History and Players

The tenor banjo is a relative newcomer to the world of Irish traditional music, being around one hundred years old. Indeed, up until as recently...
Cathal Harkin of the Paddy Ryan Band on Tin Whistle

Whistle While You Work – The Irish Tin Whistle

The Irish tin whistle is one of the instruments most synonymous with Irish traditional Music, and its simple design belies the beauty of the...
Peter Byrne (right) and Conor Mahony (left) performing on the White Horse stage at the 2017 Doolin Folk Festival for the launch of their CD, Land and Sea - The Irish Place

Dream Folk Collaboration: Peter Byrne and Conor Mahony

'Land and Sea' is the atmospherically titled inaugural album by Conor Mahony (guitar) and Peter Byrne (vocals). Launched on the Whitehorse Stage at the Doolin...
Sharon Shannon with 'The Sharon Shannon Band' at the Doolin Folk Festival 2017 - The Irish Place #doolinfest #theirishplace

Sharon Shannon: Genre-Defying Irish Musician

Sharon Shannon grew up as part of a musical family in Ruan, County Clare. She is renowned throughout Ireland and far beyond both for her...
Kathy Jordan playing the Bodhrán - The Irish Place

The Bodhrán: Heartbeat of Traditional Irish Music

Over recent years, the Bodhrán has changed and evolved faster than any other Irish Traditional Music instrument. The word 'Bodhrán' derives from the old Gaelic...
The Flute, a key instrument in Irish Traditional Music - The Irish Place

Heavenly Instrument: The Irish Flute

An Irish flute is generally a simple instrument crafted from wood. It has been played across Ireland for decades in Irish Traditional Music ensembles and...
Tara Howley and Friends at The Doolin Folk Festival 2016 with Tara playing the Uilleann Pipes - The Irish Place

Mellow Beauty – The Uilleann Pipes

The Uilleann Pipes are widely regarded as one of the most outstanding examples of pipes worldwide. Largely because of their uniquely sweet and mellow tone,...
A typical Irish Traditional Music session at Cooley's House in Ennistymon, Co. Clare - The Irish Place

A Little Bit of Heaven: Irish Traditional Music

Irish Traditional Music has evolved slowly and has been passed down from generation to generation largely through the oral tradition, a practice that continues...
Emer Mallon of Connla in action on the Celtic Harp - The Irish Place

Magical Music: The Celtic Harp

The Celtic Harp is known by a number of names, including the Irish, the Folk, and the Lever. It is indigenous to the following...
The Button Accordion - The Irish Place

Irish Traditional Music: the Accordion and the Concertina

The accordion is an important instrument in Irish Traditional Music, including the ever-popular Ceili style, as is the concertina, and has been since its...