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A group of Irish musicians playing their instruments

Irish traditional music and dance

A showcase from University College Cork Trad Society

Traditional music and dance permeates through Irish culture and forms an intrinsic part of society, with many young children learning instruments at home with family, where it is popular for gatherings (called a session or seisúin in Irish) of neighbours to come together and play music.

Origins of Irish music

This remains true to the origins of Irish music as a tradition of oral story-telling which today acts as bridge between the historic and modern Irelands.

The communal nature of the music remains evident today, where musicians can visit local bars and can even sit to play with 6-time Grammy winning artists - like at Matt Malloy’s of Westport. An example of this can be seen in last year’s 9-times Oscar nominated film “The Banshees of Inisherin”.

Instrumental focus

Irish traditional music (or “Trad”) consists of Instrumental pieces such as the flute, fiddle, accordion, and a harp. A harp, which is not only a traditional Irish instrument, but the symbol appearing on the national seal of the country itself.

Trad is often characterised by high-energy up-tempo music to inspire dancing called “jigs” or “reels”, but also includes some slower “laments”.

UCC Tradsoc showcase

University College Cork Traditional Music Society (TradSoc) joined us in Manila for our St Patrick's Day celebrations, to showcase traditional Irish music, instruments and dance.

Enjoy individual performances showcasing examples of some of the most common traditional instruments and styles:

The flute

The flute in traditional Irish music usually adds up to the lively sound of jigs and folk tunes. It captures musical traditions by connecting listeners to the musical genre.

The fiddle

A fiddle or more commonly known as a violin in the Philippines is a traditional instrument that plays folk, country, and other musical genres. Being an instrument that is both lively and expressive, it is used by many Irish musicians as it plays a crucial role in producing traditional Irish tunes.

The accordion

The accordion adds to the distinct below-driven sound of Irish traditional music. It produces a sounds fitting for large musical groups like céilí bands. The mellow tone is also much awaited in intimate traditional Irish music sessions.

The harp

The harp is the symbol appearing on the national seal of Ireland as it holds great significance in the country, symbolizing traditional music and cultural heritage. Historically linked to ancient Irish society, which is associated with storytelling and folk tunes. To this day, the harp is not only symbolizes the country itself, it also adds many unique melodic dimensions to traditional Irish music.

Traditional Irish song

The lyrics of traditional Irish songs usually feature story-telling aspects influenced by Celtic music. The songs usually revolve around love, nature, Irish folktale and historical events. Traditional Irish songs serve as a reminder of the country’s history, highlighting the spirit of resilience found in Irish people.

Traditional Irish dance

The sound and movement of traditional dance best accompany traditional Irish music. Dancers wear a special type of dancing shoes that add-up to the music by producing tap beat-sounds and movement. Quick footwork and lively movements characterize this type of dance. This type of dance requires dancers to maintain their upright posture throughout the entire number while their footwork follows a rhythmic pattern.