The traditional music of Ireland has been around for centuries. Here we will have a look at the most popular traditional Irish musical instruments that are played in Ireland.
Bodhran: This instrument is the heartbeat of traditional Irish music. It is basically a huge drum that’s covered up with stretched animal skin. It is struck with stick to give that pulsating beat. This musical instrument has the capability of turning listeners to dancers with an ease. There are many people who think that bodhran serves a double purpose as a grain tray and a husk sifter.
Accordion: This has been made since 1700s in Europe. It appears in folk music of many European nations and Ireland. It has a very unique sound which the listeners appreciate. It is operated in a typical way. It is played by expanding or compressing the bellows while pressing the keys or buttons, causing valves, known as pallets, for opening, which allow the air to flow across steel or strips of brass that vibrate for producing sound inside body. It is a family of the box-shaped musical instrument of bellow-driven free reed aerophone type called squeezebox.
Uilleann Pipes: These pipes have the capability of mesmerising listeners with a haunting tone since the fifth century. It is a popular instrument, which takes years to master. It was Charles and William Taylor, the two County Louth brothers, who developed the modern version after emigrating with the musical tool from post-Famine Ireland to United States.
Celtic Harp: This instrument has reached the iconic status. It appears on the national flag and Euro coins. Variations of triangular, gut-stringed-musical instrument have been plucked in the country since 10th century. At that time the nomadic harpists traveled around Ireland to perform the songs for food or warm bed.
Fiddle: Irish fiddle is one of the most important traditional musical instruments. It looks very similar to violin but its sound and playing style is different from that of violin. It is quite expressive and a high-pitched musical instrument in traditional music. It is often heard. It may be heart-breaking as well as euphoric in equal measure.
Irish Bouzouki: This instrument was brought to Ireland in 1960s. It has been adapted from a Greek instrument. So, it is basically a recent addition to the traditional music arsenal. It is played quite often and regularly at many traditional music sessions.
