Irish Dance
Irish dance has a long history dating back to the Druids and pagan beliefs. The dances involved tree worship, animals, work, war, courtship, and social dancing. As Ireland was invaded over the centuries, dance was influenced by the new cultures (An Irish Path, 2013). The Celts came to the Island around 400 BC, and there are descendants from the Vikings, the Normans, and the British in Ireland (Means, 2011). Dance is a prominent theme in Ireland's mythology and history. The legends of the Tara festivals speak of the 'feis' or traditional Gaelic arts and cultural festival that brought Gaels together for theatre, sport, politics, storytelling, song, dance, and music. The Normans also had a great influence on the Irish dance and in 1413 the first 'caroling' was recorded which was a Norman custom that combined singing and dancing (BBC, 2009).
Irish Traditional Music Archive (2012) identifies the cultural significance that Irish language and dance has had in the history of Ireland and points out that the ‘An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha’ formed and it was “along with singing and instrumental music…an integral component of Irish-language culture, and was central to the life of the organisation's branches. The League's dance occasions were called céilithe or 'ceilis'” (ITMA, 2012, para. 2).
The Gaelic League was formed during this time to promote and preserve Irish culture, customs, and dance. "Conradh na Gaeilge itself was founded in Dublin in 1893, and had as its objectives the promotion of all aspects of Irish Culture, but it was primarily concerned with the language and literature" In June 1930, 'An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha Commission' was formed to regulate competitive Irish dancing and promote Irish dancing worldwide (CLRG, para. 2, 2013).
Today, we celebrate our Irish roots in Canada through special holidays, music, dance, food, drink, and storytelling as a piece of our native land where we are all inextricably linked to our heritage. Check out the links below!
Irish Dance: River Dance
Irish Dance: with Dubstep Music….Awesome!!
Irish Traditional Music Archive (2012) identifies the cultural significance that Irish language and dance has had in the history of Ireland and points out that the ‘An Coimisiún le Rincí Gaelacha’ formed and it was “along with singing and instrumental music…an integral component of Irish-language culture, and was central to the life of the organisation's branches. The League's dance occasions were called céilithe or 'ceilis'” (ITMA, 2012, para. 2).
The Gaelic League was formed during this time to promote and preserve Irish culture, customs, and dance. "Conradh na Gaeilge itself was founded in Dublin in 1893, and had as its objectives the promotion of all aspects of Irish Culture, but it was primarily concerned with the language and literature" In June 1930, 'An Coimisiun le Rinci Gaelacha Commission' was formed to regulate competitive Irish dancing and promote Irish dancing worldwide (CLRG, para. 2, 2013).
Today, we celebrate our Irish roots in Canada through special holidays, music, dance, food, drink, and storytelling as a piece of our native land where we are all inextricably linked to our heritage. Check out the links below!
Irish Dance: River Dance
Irish Dance: with Dubstep Music….Awesome!!
Irish Music
Music plays a large part in Ireland’s culture and traditional songs tell a story through music. Some of the most popular instruments in Irish folk music include the bodhrán, flute, harp, fiddle, tin whistle, accordian, Uilleann pipes, and the bagpipes (Eagen, 2000).
The “Uillean pipes have a system much like the bagpipes, however the bag is inflated by a set of bellows which are strapped around the waist and right arm. The bellows relieves the player from having to make the effort of blowing into a bag to maintain pressure, and they also allow mostly dry air to power the reeds” (Your Irish, 2013, para. 2).
Irish Instruments
Uilleann Pipes
Bodhrán Drum
The Bodhrán (pronounced bow-rahn) is an Irish framed drum often made from goats skins. The Harp has been used for over a thousand years. Originally it was gut-strung and later became wire strung (Eagen, T. 2000). Many popular bands today are distinctly Irish and can be identified by the use of instruments, storytelling, and the traditional rhythmic sounds of many of these instruments.
Some distinctly Irish sounds are made by musicians such as the Irish Rovers, Enya, Cranberries, Corrs, Dubliners, the Chieftains, and the Pogues. Loreena McKennitt is a Canadian musician, composer, pianist, harpist, and accordionist who writes, records, and performs world music with a distinct Celtic and Middle Eastern sound. This distinct sound can be heard in rhythm, lyrics, and in her instrumental choices (a personal favourite of mine). A true celebration of cultural diversity!
Loreena McKinnett
Cranberries
Enya
Pogues
Corrs
The “Uillean pipes have a system much like the bagpipes, however the bag is inflated by a set of bellows which are strapped around the waist and right arm. The bellows relieves the player from having to make the effort of blowing into a bag to maintain pressure, and they also allow mostly dry air to power the reeds” (Your Irish, 2013, para. 2).
Irish Instruments
Uilleann Pipes
Bodhrán Drum
The Bodhrán (pronounced bow-rahn) is an Irish framed drum often made from goats skins. The Harp has been used for over a thousand years. Originally it was gut-strung and later became wire strung (Eagen, T. 2000). Many popular bands today are distinctly Irish and can be identified by the use of instruments, storytelling, and the traditional rhythmic sounds of many of these instruments.
Some distinctly Irish sounds are made by musicians such as the Irish Rovers, Enya, Cranberries, Corrs, Dubliners, the Chieftains, and the Pogues. Loreena McKennitt is a Canadian musician, composer, pianist, harpist, and accordionist who writes, records, and performs world music with a distinct Celtic and Middle Eastern sound. This distinct sound can be heard in rhythm, lyrics, and in her instrumental choices (a personal favourite of mine). A true celebration of cultural diversity!
Loreena McKinnett
Cranberries
Enya
Pogues
Corrs