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MUSIC, SONG & DANCE Traditional Irish music and dance is alive and thriving in Glasgow. And Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann (Gatherting of Irish Musicians) aim to see that its good health continues. Comhaltas is a worldwide organisation dedicated to supporting and celebrating Irish language and culture. Their first branch outside Ireland was founded in Glasgow in 1957. The Glasgow Irish Minstrels is still going strong. Now there is another Glasgow branch, St James the Great, in Pollok. The branches have formed bands which give concerts and travel to competitions throughout the U.K. and Ireland. Their doors are open to people of any age.
Comhaltas gives tuition in: • The Irish language • Irish set dancing • Traditional musical instruments including fiddle, mandolin, flute, tin whistle, drums, bodhran, banjo, accordion – and also, harp and uillean pipes. And the teaching is free! http://www.glasgowirishminstrels.co.uk
DONEGAL MUSIC Donegal has always been a great place for traditional music. For two years in a row, Letterkenny hosted the all Ireland final of the Fleadh Cheoil (Fla Cyol) , the festival of music run by Comhaltas. There is an old proverb that says: in Donegal, there’s a fiddle in every house. The art of the fiddler was prized above all others. Duo fiddling was a particular accomplishment. Old Donegal music often used only the fiddle and the pipes. Another difference between Donegal and other areas was to do with the pipes. Throughout Ireland, the uillean pipes are very common. Uillean means elbow, and the pipes are so-called because the piper uses his elbow to squeeze a bellows. To play the uillean pipes, the piper is always seated. But, in Donegal, the traditional instrument was the piob mor – the great highland bagpipe, which is very similar to Scottish Highland bagpipes. It was played by a standing piper. In modern Donegal music, of course, these very old traditional instruments have been joined by all the newcomers - the flute, the tin whistle, accordion and all the rest. Donegal is also noted for the accomplishment of its traditional singers in the art of varying basic melodies. Listen to Mairéad Ní Mhaonaig of Donegal band Altan doing some tricky Irish fiddling http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4OAkUNm3A