#Ceoltóirí Chualann

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40. One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers. “My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[alightinthelantern]

An Spailpín Fánach Seán Ó Sé, Seán Ó Riada, Ceoltóirí Chualann

[mcneelamusic]

5 Bodhrán Players You Should Know - McNeela Music

There’s no shortage of brilliant bodhrán players in traditional Irish music today. This once ridiculed and overlooked frame drum has gone on to become the heartbeat of Irish music. It’s a true rags to riches, zero to hero story.

I’m often asked who my favourite bodhrán players are. So I’ve put together this list of some of the best movers and shakers on the Irish percussion scene. You already know of my love and admiration for the fantastic Rónán Ó Snodaigh so I decided to shake things up a little.

I’ve chosen five of the greatest bodhrán players in the world for your listening pleasure. Some are legendary, others are on their way. Either way you don’t want to miss out on hearing these phenomenal Irish percussionists in action. They are guaranteed to inspire you to bodhrán greatness.

I’ll tell you about their signature styles and the impact they’ve made on the world of Irish traditional music. Learn where bodhrán solos came from (who’s to blame), and listen to the most imitated bodhrán riff in the world.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get moving. It’s time to discover five legends of the Irish bodhrán.

Contents [hide] Tommy HayesOne of Ireland’s Greats John Joe KellyThe Highest Form of Flattery Mel MercierUnique Percussion Style Eamonn MurrayFamous Bodhrán Riffs Aimee Farrell CourtneyAn Attentive Accompanist Keep Banging On

Tommy Hayes

Tommy Hayes has rightfully earned a reputation as one of the greatest bodhrán players of all time. He has been at the forefront of traditional Irish music for over thirty years. He was the original percussionist with Riverdance and has gone on to inspire countless generations of bodhrán players.

More than that however, Tommy Hayes exploration of percussion and percussion instruments from other cultures granted Irish bodhrán players the freedom to explore their own potential further afield. Tommy can just as likely be found playing the djembe, shakers, bongos or spoons as his beloved Irish frame drum:

A member of both Stockton’s Wing and Altan, Hayes has performed and recorded with most of the great names in traditional music and beyond. He has performed on more than 400 albums in numerous musical collaborations. His playing transcends genres and puts him in demand the world over as a percussionist.

In the video below he’s joined by Mattu Sarod on the Hindustani instrument, the sarod, for a performance that offers both a Celtic and Indian flavour:

One of Ireland’s Greats

Tommy’s “solo” albums however – An Rás and A Room in the North – are compulsory listening not just for burgeoning bodhrán players but for any percussionist. Featuring a veritable who’s who of some of the greatest Irish and Scottish musicians, these albums are evidence of why, to this day, Tommy Hayes is one of the greatest bodhrán players the world has ever known.

I’ll leave you with one of his more traditional tracks, but for the brave listener, there are some mighty musical collaborations on the rest of the album worth sinking your teeth into:

John Joe Kelly

If you’re a regular follower of our blog, you might have noticed by now that I’m quite the Flook fan. It will come as no surprise then, to see their virtuoso bodhrán player, John Joe Kelly featuring on this list.

I think the most accurate description I’ve ever heard of John Joe’s playing is “to say Kelly plays the bodhrán, is like saying Mount Everest is a bit of a climb”.

Why not have a listen for yourself and see why John Joe has inspired bodhrán solos the world over? (Depending on your attitude to bodhrán playing, that’s either a very good or very bad thing…)

John Joe is a masterful player who has revolutionised the world of Irish bodhrán playing and captured the hearts of young bodhrán players everywhere with his exciting playing style. Even if you think you’ve not heard John Joe’s playing before, I guarantee you have – replicated in the styles of countless generations of bodhrán players.

The Highest Form of Flattery

John Joe is one of the most sought-after bodhrán players in the world today. As a member of Flook and Mike McGoldrick bands, he was definitely responsible for updating the bodhrán’s somewhat outdated image. His exciting, modern playing style has become legendary throughout the traditional Irish music scene.

One criticism John Joe faces is that his playing has become so popular that it’s inspired a few too many young bodhrán players to perfectly imitate his signature style. As a result, there’s now an entire generation of bodhrán players who all sound the same. That’s hardly poor John Joe’s fault though. What an honour, in my opinion, to be so celebrated and admired! It’s a well deserved distinction.

As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Try as they might however there’s still only one John Joe Kelly:

Mel Mercier

Mel Mercier’s father, Peadar Mercier was the original bodhrán player with the revolutionary Ceoltóirí Chualann and went on to become the bodhrán player with the legendary Chieftains. It’s no surprise to learn then that Mel himself learned to play both the spoons and the bodhrán from his father. Mel continues to carry his father’s mantle to this day.

Despite growing up in a house full of music (The Chieftains would rehearse in the sitting room) it wasn’t until he was in his late 20s that Mel decided to become a full time musician. Surprisingly, it wasn’t from his father the inspiration came, but from friend and musical collaborator Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Mel performed and collaborated with the gifted Irish piano player and composer for over thirty years. Together they merged classizal, jazz and Irish music, creating a sound that was distinctly theirs. In this musical duo, Mercier was not merely an accompanist. His percussion plays a vital role in their music collaborations:

Unique Percussion Style

It’s clear that Mel never saw himself as “just” a bodhrán player. (A phrase that pains me to hear!) He completed a Masters Degree in World Music Percussion at CALARTS in Los Angeles, where he studied African, Indian and Indonesian music. This love and knowledge of ‘word music’ has helped to expand his percussion playing beyond the boundaries of traditional Irish music.

His bodhrán and percussion playing has a unique sound that is perfectly described as “crispy”. Crispy also just happened to be title of a collaborative composition between himself and Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, that was written to show off their highly impressive rhythmic abilities:

Mel Mercier is also famed for his work with another word renowned, innovative pianist and composer. Throughout the 1980s, Mel and his father performed with the American experimental composer John Cage performing Cage’s ambitious Roaratorio: An Irish Circus on Finnegan’s Wake in the UK, Europe and North America.

As well as being a gifted bodhrán player, Mel is also a talented composer who frequently writes music for theatre. His award winning, Tony-nominated underscoring has featured on both The West End and Broadway.

Eamonn Murray

When I think of modern bodhrán playing, the first name that comes to mind is Eamonn Murray. I know you definitely can’t talk to a young bodhrán player these days without his name coming up. He’s idolised by the younger generation as someone who made bodhrán playing ‘cool’ (or ‘lit’ as the kids supposedly say these days). Personally I’m outraged that I wasn’t awarded that title myself, but I’ll let it slide for now…

Eamonn is the captivating bodhrán player with the effervescent Beoga.

If you’ve never listened to Beoga, well, they’re something else. They’re the pop royalty of traditional Irish music. Their zany, wildly creative music has been pushing boundaries for years.

They’ve played with the best of the best (including the RTÉ Concert Orchestra above). These days however, they’re probably best known for their collaboration with the king of pop himself, Ed Sheeran. We’ll forgive them for that though…

Famous Bodhrán Riffs

From Beoga’s very first album onwards, Eamonn Murray’s unique beats have captivated and inspired. His opening riff for the Prelude Polkas is potentially one of the most imitated in modern day bodhrán playing.

His playing is highly rhythmic and full of energy and drive. If you’re looking for lively playing, Eamonn’s your man:

Aimee Farrell Courtney Aimee Farrell Courtney is a young Irish bodhrán player from Ratoath, Co. Meath. She made her debut in Dublin’s National Concert Hall at the tender age of 8 and hasn’t looked back since.Aimee went on to study music in TUDublin Conservatory of Music where she completed both her undergraduate and masters degrees. She was awarded the Leo Rowsome Gold Medal for Outstanding Traditional Performance and the Michael McNamara Gold Medal for Outstanding Overall Performance for her final year recital. This is no easy feat for a bodhrán player up against concert pianists and Ireland’s rising opera stars!To add to her impressive list of awards, in 2010 Aimee was crowned the World Bodhrán Champion. It’s not hard to understand why. Have a watch of the video below to see her in full flight:Aimee’s talent has been recognised by the greats. She’s toured and performed with Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Liam O’Flynn, Danú and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. While she may not be a household name just yet, she’s definitely one worth knowing.An Attentive AccompanistIn addition to her astounding technical skill, Aimee’s strength lies in her phenomenal accompaniment skills. She could rival any musician with her electrifying solos, but she’s most often found listening intently and reflecting the needs of those she’s playing with, including the likes of Donal Lunny below:Her playing is understated. With Aimee, there’s never a risk of being drowned out by furious beating of the drum. The influence of Tommy Hayes and Mel Mercier is evident in her superb ear and sensitivity to the music, but she has definitely developed her own signature style and sound. Best of all, Aimee is a talented and passionate teacher who is inspiring countless other young women all over the world to take up the bodhrán and challenge her title. Her musical legacy will be a great one!Keep Banging On If you’re feeling inspired, before you move on, why not check out our range of Irish bodhráns in the McNeela Bodhrán Store. We have a drum to suit every level and every pocket.Feel free to get in touch with me if you need help choosing the right bodhrán. I’m always happy to advise!

[rudyscuriocabinet]

Ceoltóirí Chualann - Ríl Mhór Bhaile an Chalaidh

Ceoltóirí Chualann – Ríl Mhór Bhaile an Chalaidh

Today is Saint Patrick’s Day for Western Christians, and is also celebrated by my fellow Orthodox, though his feast day on the Julian Calender is March 30. I thought I would share a bit of Irish music, but something not so common. I’m sure a great many of you know the work of Ireland’s third-most famous export (after Guinness Beer and U2), The Chieftains. They have toured the world bringing…

[oriada]

Backstage #RiadaConcert @ Glór in Ennis 22nd May 2010.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40. One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers. “My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40. One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers. “My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40.

One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers.

“My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40. One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers. “My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[mcneelamusic]

5 Bodhrán Players You Should Know - McNeela Music

There’s no shortage of brilliant bodhrán players in traditional Irish music today. This once ridiculed and overlooked frame drum has gone on to become the heartbeat of Irish music. It’s a true rags to riches, zero to hero story.

I’m often asked who my favourite bodhrán players are. So I’ve put together this list of some of the best movers and shakers on the Irish percussion scene. You already know of my love and admiration for the fantastic Rónán Ó Snodaigh so I decided to shake things up a little.

I’ve chosen five of the greatest bodhrán players in the world for your listening pleasure. Some are legendary, others are on their way. Either way you don’t want to miss out on hearing these phenomenal Irish percussionists in action. They are guaranteed to inspire you to bodhrán greatness.

I’ll tell you about their signature styles and the impact they’ve made on the world of Irish traditional music. Learn where bodhrán solos came from (who’s to blame), and listen to the most imitated bodhrán riff in the world.

So what are you waiting for? Let’s get moving. It’s time to discover five legends of the Irish bodhrán.

More than that however, Tommy Hayes exploration of percussion and percussion instruments from other cultures granted Irish bodhrán players the freedom to explore their own potential further afield. Tommy can just as likely be found playing the djembe, shakers, bongos or spoons as his beloved Irish frame drum:

In the video below he’s joined by Mattu Sarod on the Hindustani instrument, the sarod, for a performance that offers both a Celtic and Indian flavour:

One of Ireland’s Greats

I’ll leave you with one of his more traditional tracks, but for the brave listener, there are some mighty musical collaborations on the rest of the album worth sinking your teeth into:

If you’re a regular follower of our blog, you might have noticed by now that I’m quite the Flook fan. It will come as no surprise then, to see their virtuoso bodhrán player, John Joe Kelly featuring on this list.

I think the most accurate description I’ve ever heard of John Joe’s playing is “to say Kelly plays the bodhrán, is like saying Mount Everest is a bit of a climb”.

Why not have a listen for yourself and see why John Joe has inspired bodhrán solos the world over? (Depending on your attitude to bodhrán playing, that’s either a very good or very bad thing…)

John Joe is a masterful player who has revolutionised the world of Irish bodhrán playing and captured the hearts of young bodhrán players everywhere with his exciting playing style. Even if you think you’ve not heard John Joe’s playing before, I guarantee you have — replicated in the styles of countless generations of bodhrán players.

The Highest Form of Flattery

John Joe is one of the most sought-after bodhrán players in the world today. As a member of Flook and Mike McGoldrick bands, he was definitely responsible for updating the bodhrán’s somewhat outdated image. His exciting, modern playing style has become legendary throughout the traditional Irish music scene.

One criticism John Joe faces is that his playing has become so popular that it’s inspired a few too many young bodhrán players to perfectly imitate his signature style. As a result, there’s now an entire generation of bodhrán players who all sound the same. That’s hardly poor John Joe’s fault though. What an honour, in my opinion, to be so celebrated and admired! It’s a well deserved distinction.

As they say, imitation is the highest form of flattery. Try as they might however there’s still only one John Joe Kelly:

Mel Mercier’s father, Peadar Mercier was the original bodhrán player with the revolutionary Ceoltóirí Chualann and went on to become the bodhrán player with the legendary Chieftains. It’s no surprise to learn then that Mel himself learned to play both the spoons and the bodhrán from his father. Mel continues to carry his father’s mantle to this day.

Despite growing up in a house full of music ( The Chieftains would rehearse in the sitting room) it wasn’t until he was in his late 20s that Mel decided to become a full time musician. Surprisingly, it wasn’t from his father the inspiration came, but from friend and musical collaborator Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin.

Mel performed and collaborated with the gifted Irish piano player and composer for over thirty years. Together they merged classizal, jazz and Irish music, creating a sound that was distinctly theirs. In this musical duo, Mercier was not merely an accompanist. His percussion plays a vital role in their music collaborations:

Unique Percussion Style

As well as being a gifted bodhrán player, Mel is also a talented composer who frequently writes music for theatre. His award winning, Tony-nominated underscoring has featured on both The West End and Broadway.

When I think of modern bodhrán playing, the first name that comes to mind is Eamonn Murray. I know you definitely can’t talk to a young bodhrán player these days without his name coming up. He’s idolised by the younger generation as someone who made bodhrán playing ‘cool’ (or ‘lit’ as the kids supposedly say these days). Personally I’m outraged that I wasn’t awarded that title myself, but I’ll let it slide for now…

Eamonn is the captivating bodhrán player with the effervescent Beoga.

If you’ve never listened to Beoga, well, they’re something else. They’re the pop royalty of traditional Irish music. Their zany, wildly creative music has been pushing boundaries for years.

From Beoga’s very first album onwards, Eamonn Murray’s unique beats have captivated and inspired. His opening riff for the Prelude Polkas is potentially one of the most imitated in modern day bodhrán playing.

His playing is highly rhythmic and full of energy and drive. If you’re looking for lively playing, Eamonn’s your man:

Aimee Farrell Courtney

Aimee Farrell Courtney is a young Irish bodhrán player from Ratoath, Co. Meath. She made her debut in Dublin’s National Concert Hall at the tender age of 8 and hasn’t looked back since.

Aimee went on to study music in TUDublin Conservatory of Music where she completed both her undergraduate and masters degrees. She was awarded the Leo Rowsome Gold Medal for Outstanding Traditional Performance and the Michael McNamara Gold Medal for Outstanding Overall Performance for her final year recital. This is no easy feat for a bodhrán player up against concert pianists and Ireland’s rising opera stars!

To add to her impressive list of awards, in 2010 Aimee was crowned the World Bodhrán Champion. It’s not hard to understand why. Have a watch of the video below to see her in full flight:

Aimee’s talent has been recognised by the greats. She’s toured and performed with Donal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Liam O’Flynn, Danú and the RTÉ Concert Orchestra. While she may not be a household name just yet, she’s definitely one worth knowing.

An Attentive Accompanist

In addition to her astounding technical skill, Aimee’s strength lies in her phenomenal accompaniment skills. She could rival any musician with her electrifying solos, but she’s most often found listening intently and reflecting the needs of those she’s playing with, including the likes of Donal Lunny below:

Her playing is understated. With Aimee, there’s never a risk of being drowned out by furious beating of the drum. The influence of Tommy Hayes and Mel Mercier is evident in her superb ear and sensitivity to the music, but she has definitely developed her own signature style and sound. Best of all, Aimee is a talented and passionate teacher who is inspiring countless other young women all over the world to take up the bodhrán and challenge her title. Her musical legacy will be a great one!

If you’re feeling inspired, before you move on, why not check out our range of Irish bodhráns in the McNeela Bodhrán Store. We have a drum to suit every level and every pocket.

Feel free to get in touch with me if you need help choosing the right bodhrán. I’m always happy to advise!

[mcneelamusic]

The History and Evolution of the Irish Bodhran

At the beginning of every lecture I try to keep it light and engage with all the students. To get the students attention I’ve come up with a fun approach. I start by saying “The facts you are about to hear are all lies!” It definitely grabs their attention immediately and I have 150 faces looking at me blankly!

My statement is of course not true. However, I’ve spent many years researching the bodhrán and honestly I’ve learned that there is no definitive history of the bodhran in Ireland. We can only rely on word of mouth (more like Chinese whispers), handed down through the years by the many generations.

The information and stories we hear are all narrated to us by our parents and grandparents. In other words, the history of the bodhrán is only hearsay. We have little concrete information.

If you research the history of the bodhran online, you will come across several quite varied opinions of the drum’s roots. Many claim it is an ancient druidic drum. Below are some of the theories which exist.

A trade route for the bodhrán could be traced back to over several millennia ago. The trade route may have been in Persia. This is supposedly where the drum frame originated.

The reason people believe the drum originated from Persia is due to its use for the act of winnowing, or separating seeds. This seems the most likely source, as this is what provided the basic drum for most of the other frame drumming cultures.

More recently, it’s believed that the bodhran may have come from North Africa. Frame drums are very popular in this region and are usually played by hand. This North African instrument, called the bendir was played in Ancient Egypt. As Ireland traded with Mediterranean countries, this makes it a likely theory.

This theory is based on use of the bodhran as a tool for dyeing wool. It’s believed that the rim could have been made of bent willow with the skin stretched and tied over the circular willow, then punctured to allow the dye to pass through. The popular colours for dyeing would have been purple (from the flower of the heather), green (from vegetables) and orange (from carrots). Purple and green are known as the Celtic colours.

Interestingly, the bodhran was also used in battle as a war drum. This was to raise the temper of the fighting men against the enemy.

The bodhran was first mentioned in folklore. this comes from our grandparents and they probably heard it from their grandparents and this was with regards to The Wren. The Wren is said to have been a pagan ritual, so we presume the bodhrán was used around the 18th century, however it may have been introduced centuries before that, there’s no evidence of how far back it goes.

John B Keane wrote a book called the The Bodhrán Makers, it’s a good novel, however it’s not a history book! After years of research, it’s remarkable that there’s still no written history in existence and at this stage most likely there never will be.

We know that the bodhrán has been in existence for many years, it’s now as popular as ever, but what made it so popular those many years ago?

After doing much research, I found the basis of what made the bodhrán so popular and ironically it was used as a beat played to the music on the day of The Wren, also known as Saint Stephen’s Day, which takes place December 26th.

So what was The Wren? It was when a group of men dressed up in straw hats and skirts, they blackened their faces with soot and entertained their local population by going from house to house playing traditional music and dancing in payment for food, money or drink and of course the craic which came with it! They were known as wrenboys, mummers or strawboys. This pagan tradition dates back a millennium, this means if the bodhrán was used, it goes as far back as then.

Legend has it that St Stephen was betrayed by a chattering wren while hiding from his enemies. The wren like St Stephen would be hunted down and stoned to death.

Another legend holds that during the Viking raids of the sixth century, Irish soldiers were betrayed by a wren as they were sneaking up on a Viking camp in the dead of night. The wren began eating crumbs left on a bodhrán drum head and the rat-a-tat-tat of his beak on the drumhead woke the drummer who sounded the alarm. The Irish were subsequently defeated and the wren blamed.

So if The Wren was celebrated as early as the first millennium it is possible that the bodhrán was also around at that time.

The wren the wren the king of all birds,

On Stephens Day was caught in the furze,

Although he is little his family is great,

I pray you lady you give us a treat.

My box would speak if it had only a tongue,

And two or three shillings would do it no wrong,

Sing holly sing ivy-sing ivy sing holly,

A drop just to drink would drown melancholy.

And if you draw it of the best,

I hope in heaven your soul will rest,

But if you draw it of the small,

It won’t agree with these wrenboys at all.

First Recordings of the Bodhrán

The bodhrán was first recorded in the 1920’s, it was recorded on a 78 record. It became popular in the fifties and sixties with the renewal in popularity of traditional Irish music and this gave life to the bodhrán makers of the sixties, such as Sonny Davey from Sligo, Charlie Byrne from Tipperary, Paddy Clancy from Limerick and many more.

Bodhrán-making became a cottage industry. In 1978, I joined the fraternity known as The Bodhrán Makers. An bodhrán was promoted by Seán O’Riada in his arrangements for Ceoltóirí Chualann, who later became The Chieftains, and was preferred by Seán to the snare drum used in the céilí bands.

The word bodhrán could also mean deafner, possibly as the wren boys used it to make a lot of noise. According to John B the wren boys sometimes added flattened pennies to the sides to make a jingle and hence the name bourine, short for tambourine.

The Much Maligned Bodhrán Player

The bodhran is regarded by some with derision, or at best suspicion. There are reasons behind this attitude, though I would obviously disagree myself.

The bodhrán seems easy to play. To the non-musician who wants to be thought of as a musician, the bodhrán would appear to be an easily acquired passport into a select company. Or it may be that he perceives the music as an entertainment with which everyone may, or should, join in. Whatever the motivation, the results are sometimes dreadful; a piano accordion, for example, accompanied by a battering of four or five aspiring bodhrán players, all producing personal variations on what they think is the beat is hardly likely to be music.

On the other hand the bodhrán can give a good lift to a session or to solo playing. The combination of the Irish flute and bodhrán is a well-tried one and many flute players like a good bodhrán accompaniment.

The bodhrán frame is made from a variety of different timbers, the most popular being plywood. The use of crossbars gives added strength to the frame. Goatskin is mainly used, but I have heard of people using a variety of animal skins. Goats are not killed for their skins. The skin is a byproduct. The skins that are used today come from a variety of countries mainly Ireland, North Africa, India and Pakistan.

To finish off, a researcher friend of mine was researching the word bodhrán and believes that it comes from the Irish word bodhraigh, which means anger or aggravate. Relate this to winnowing, the separating of the wheat from the chaff. As the wheat bounced against the skin, the wheat is agitated and the chaff separates. So the agricultural tool used to perform this operation could well be called a bodhrán.

So there you have it. A brief history of the bodhran. Though much information is speculation, this, in my professional opinion, is the most likely history of the bodhran.

If you’re taken with this legendary Irish instrument and want to try it yourself, have a read of my Expert Guide to Buying a Bodhran. It will teach you everything you need to know to about the mechanics of this seemingly simple instrument.

[stairnaheireann]

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

#OTD in 1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40.

One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers.

“My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[stairnaheireann]

1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

1971 – Death of Seán Ó Riada, founder, composer, and arranger for the Chieftains.

A true Irish Gift to the world, Seán Ó Riada left the world at the terribly young age of 40.

One of Ireland’s finest composers and a major influence on traditional Irish music, Seán Ó Riada (John Reidy) was born in West Cork in 1931. Ó Riada’s love of music came from parents who were both competent traditional fiddlers.

“My father had a wonderful store of music. I remember him telling me that he…

[oriada]

Back and not so backstage shots from #RiadaConcert @ Glór in Ennis 22nd May 2010.

[oriada]

Running order for #RiadaConcert in Liberty Hall Dublin.

April 23rd 2010