IRISH TRADITIONAL DANCE AND MUSIC

What do you know about traditional Irish dance and music?
Music and dance has been at the very heart of Irish culture and heritage for as long as we can remember. These traditional songs and dances which have been passed down through the years give them a strong sense of cultural identity and are still a huge part of their social lives.

Let's take a closer look at how Irish music and Irish dance have become the cornerstone of our heritage and culture.

The beginning of traditional Irish music in Ireland is somewhat vague, as songs, music and lyrics were only passed down orally from one generation to the next, mainly in rural areas. It is said that there were thousands of ballads and Irish songs ever before people began writing them down! Most Irish songs and ballads reflected what was going on in the country at the time, so a lot of the songs that we sing today are steeped in history.

Long ago you'd usually only hear Irish music being played in peoples homes, but after 1920 (when Ireland gained its independence from Great Britain) Irish music flourished and crossroads dancing became very popular. It drew people from near and far and soon became the main social event in the area.

During the 1930's, the 'Dance Hall' was where you could enjoy Irish music and dance. The 'Ceilí Band' also emerged during this time.

In 1951, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann was set up to encourage traditional Irish music. This group created the Fleadh Ceoil Festival which is still held in various locations in modern day Ireland. By now traditional Irish music was a part of everyday living and became even more popular due to music programs on the airwaves.


The main instruments used in Irish music are the tin whistle, the accordion, the concertina, the uilleann pipes, the flute, the bodhrán, the banjo, the mouth organ, the piano, the fiddle and of course the harp. The harp was a very popular musical instrument in ancient Ireland and it's even said that Irish monks in the 6th century took their harps abroad when they travelled to Europe.

Of course, it's impossible to talk about Irish music and not mention Irish dancing, as the two go hand-in-hand! It's said that Irish traditional music was mainly invented to accompany dancing but it's also said that Irish dancing became a way of enjoying Irish music.

Traditional Irish dances include reels, hornpipes and jigs. These step dances originated from "Sean-Nós" dancing which was an old style/version of dancing in Ireland and there are many variations of them depending on what dance school you learn from.

Other popular Irish dances include céilí dancing and polka sets. Céilí dances can involve many people dancing to Irish music at the same time. Dances like this include the "Walls of Limerick", "Shoe the Donkey" or the "Siege of Ennis".

Irish set dancing is hugely popular all over the world and features a set of eight dancers (four couples). Sets can be different from one area to the next for example, in Ireland we have the Corofin Plain Set, the Clare Lancers Set and the Connemara Set to name a few.


Thanks to productions such as Riverdance, Irish music and dance have become loved all over the world, and it has even created many spin-offs like "Lord of the Dance" and "Celtic Storm".

Irish dancing is alive and well in Ireland today. You'll find céílís the length and breath of the country in halls or even in the local pub! Most towns in Ireland have their own schools of dance, which hold weekly classes in Irish dancing and some welcome beginners and visitors!

When you visit Ireland, make sure you go to a céilí where you'll enjoy a great night of traditional Irish music and dance. Don’t pass up the opportunity to join in, as Irish dancing is great fun!

No matter where you are in Ireland, you're sure to come across a session. If you join in with the locals you'll experience something that is truly "Irish". Or you can just sit back with your favourite tipple and take it all in. A lot of pubs have live traditional Irish music at the weekend, so browse our list and find somewhere you can enjoy a session. Don't forget to be part of it, mingle with the locals, make friends, and above all enjoy the atmosphere and the "craic".



These three songs are very popular and sung by Irish people when they want to have fun...





In Dublin's Fair City
Where the girls are so pretty
I first set my eyes on sweet Molly Malone
As she wheel'd her wheel barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus
Alive, alive o!, alive, alive o!
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

She was a fishmonger
But sure 'twas no wonder
For so were her father and mother before
And they each wheel'd their barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!

Chorus

She died of a fever
And no one could save her
And that was the end of sweet Molly Malone
But her ghost wheels her barrow
Through streets broad and narrow
Crying cockles and mussels alive, alive o!
Chorus






As I was going over the far famed Kerry mountains
I met with captain Farrell and his money he was counting.
I first produced my pistol, and then produced my rapier.
Said stand and deliver, for I am a bold deceiver,

musha ring dumma do damma da
whack for the daddy 'ol
whack for the daddy 'ol
there's whiskey in the jar

I counted out his money, and it made a pretty penny.
I put it in my pocket and I took it home to Jenny.
She said and she swore, that she never would deceive me,
but the devil take the women, for they never can be easy

I went into my chamber, all for to take a slumber,
I dreamt of gold and jewels and for sure it was no wonder.
But Jenny took my charges and she filled them up with water,
Then sent for captain Farrel to be ready for the slaughter.

It was early in the morning, as I rose up for travel,
The guards were all around me and likewise captain Farrel.
I first produced my pistol, for she stole away my rapier,
But I couldn't shoot the water so a prisoner I was taken.

If anyone can aid me, it's my brother in the army,
If I can find his station down in Cork or in Killarney.
And if he'll come and save me, we'll go roving near Kilkenny,
And I swear he'll treat me better than me darling sportling Jenny

Now some men take delight in the drinking and the roving,
But others take delight in the gambling and the smoking.
But I take delight in the juice of the barley,
And courting pretty fair maids in the morning bright and early




I've been a wild rover for many's the year
and I've _____ all my ______ on _______ and _____.
But now I'm returning with gold in great store
and I never ____ _____ the wild rover no more

Chorus:
And it's no, nay, never,
no, nay, never, __ _______
will I play the wild rover
no, never, no more

I went into an ___________ I used to ______-
and I told the _______ my money ___ ______.
I asked her for _____, she answered me nay,
Such "a custom like yours I can have any day

Chorus

I took from my ______ ten sovereigns bright
and the landlady's eyes opened _____ with ______.
She said I'd have ______ and _____ of the best
and the ______ that she told me were only in jest.

Chorus

I'll go home to my _____, confess what I've _____,
and I'll ask them to ______ their prodigal son.
And when they've _________ me as oft' times before
then I never will play the wild rover no more

Chorus X2


/


Another ______ hangs lowly,
________ is slowly taken.
And the _______ caused such ______,
Who are we _________?

But you _____, it's not me, it's not my_____.
In your head, in your head they are ______,
With their _______ and their _______,
And their bombs and their ______.
In your head, in your head, they are ______...

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,
Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, dou, dou, dou, dou, dou...

Another ______'s breakin',
_____ is taking ______.
When the _______ causes _______,
We must be _______.

It's the _____ old theme ______ _________.
In your head, in your head they're still ________,
With their ______ and their _______,
And their bombs and their _____.
In your head, in your head, they are ______...

In your head, in your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie,
Hey, hey, hey. What's in your head,
In your head,
Zombie, zombie, zombie?
Hey, hey, hey, hey, oh, oh, oh,
Oh, oh, oh, oh, hey, oh, ya, ya-a...