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CAED MILLE FAILTE!
(A hundred,
thousand welcomes)
The people of Ireland, genetically, are a
mixed bag of ancient Celt, Viking and Norman. Recently even more races and
cultures are mixed in, and no end in sight.
However, as isolated as they are on the edge of Europe, it is rather easy to see certain racial
characteristics. Harder to explain is the sheer friendliness and
willingness to welcome a stranger with their open arms. This is what makes
Irish people famous throughout the world, not their genetic make-up. Irish
hospitality is legendary.
Most people in the US realize that no one talks to
eachother at the bus stop, or on the elevator, or at the laundry. Not so in
Ireland!
You will find yourself in conversation wherever you go, as the Irish are
curious and talkative. However, any question you pose them will simply be
answered with another question!
Example: "How can I find Glendalough from
here?"
Answer: "And why would you be wanting to go
there, now? You know it's closing soon, do you not?"
If you enjoy feeling made at home, stay in Ireland.
Have a pint in a pub, stay at a B&B, go down to a beach or hike a
mountain -- they will always make you welcome!
MUSIC
Another wonderful aspect of the Irish people is their
music. Fiddles and bodhrans (a hand
drum), pipes and tapping – it evokes images of lively pubs and fast
flying feet. Whether it be a slow, haunting
air on a single pipe or a furious fiddle trying to play faster than
it’s mate, Irish love their music, and make it part of their very
souls. You will rarely find a pub
where no one sings in the evenings (unless it’s a club, then they
dance!)
I have spent a few years collecting CDs of Celtic
music I like. Not all of it is
traditional, not all of it is really Irish, but these are the CDs I like
best. Some of it is what is called
‘Plastic Paddy’ music, meaning American bands who like to think
they are Irish. Some of it is
generic ‘Celtic’ music, with some elements of Scottish, Breton,
even Newfoundland
in it. And some is more properly
categorized as ‘New Age’, like Enya. However, all the of the below music has
some connection with Ireland,
and thus I list them here. Many are
small bands, still struggling, so I encourage you to go to their website
and purchase their CD, try it out.
If you don’t like it, pass it on to someone else who
might.
You can also hear many of these bands on livestream
internet radio, such as www.live365.com
(there are several dozen stations just of Celtic music), and you can decide
if you like them after hearing them there.
That’s where I heard most of this – and the artists get
royalties from those stations.
The Mostly Celtic Music List
(with help from Mark the Tanhead):
Traditional:
Altan – the lead singer, Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh, has
a wonderful voice!
Caladh – a local pub group we saw in Kilkenny
– they were great! (and the
lead singer is cute!)
Crannog
Grainne Hambly – traditional Irish harp music
Sileas – traditional Scottish harp music
Silly Wizard – One of the forerunners of modern
traditional music – no, that’s not a contradiction. They started out in the 1970s playing
traditional music to huge crowds, and were one of the reasons for the current
resurgence in Celtic interests. The
lead singer, Andy M. Stewart, wrote many well known modern songs such as
Queen of Argyle and Ramblin’ Rover.
William
Jackson – traditional
Scottish harp music
Lothlorien – this New Zealand band takes
traditional music and enchants it with mystical music. Theirs is one of my favorite Celtic CDs
of all time.
Narada – This is actually a collection of music,
and each CD has a theme. One, Celtic
Mysteries, is a mix of Celtic and Indian (Asian) music. There is Celtic Odyssey, Celtic Dance,
etc. You get the idea.
Capercaillie – This band features wonderful vocals by
Karen Matheson, and a haunting feel.
Irish
Rovers – I grew up
listening to ‘The Unicorn’ and other fun songs by this very
folk group
Wolfe
Tones – Known for
their strong political songs, this is another folk group
The
Clancy Brothers – This
group practically defines Irish folk music – they’ve been
around over 40 years, singing the folk music to us beautifully.
Old
Blind Dogs – Great
harmonies and rhythm (Scottish)
Chieftains
– Another 40 year old
band, well respected and making music.
Danu - a fantastic trad-based band hailing mostly
from Co Waterford.
Teada - another really, really great trad band, whose
leader Oisin Mac Diarmada is one of my Mark’s favorite fiddlers, and
who along with flute-player Damien Stinson is from Sligo.
bohola - a Chicago-based duo, really, consisting of
Jimmy Keane on piano
accordion and Pat Broaders on bouzouki and vocals.
Sliabh Notes -
fantastic Sliabh Luachra-style music.
Dervish
- teetering a little close to more modern style songs and stuff in
recent albums, but still pretty traditional in their approach.
Boys of the Lough -
they combine Irish and Scottish influences, but include in their number
Cathal McConnell, one of the great Irish song-collectors and
flute-players.
Medieval Faire groups:
Blackmore’s
Night – Ritchie
Blackmore used to play guitar for Deep Purple, and then went mystical with
his girlfriend singing – neat stuff
Double
Indemnity/Empty Hats –
the prior incarnation was Double Indemnity, and are now Empty Hats. They are one of the BEST ren bands I have
ever heard, full of energy, humor, and talent.
Mike
Freeman/Tania Opland –
I first discovered this duo because they produced a wonderful CD based on
Anne McCaffrey Dragonriders of Pern books, and I was hooked. They are a wonderful studio band, and my
special favorite is Cut to Rhythms.
I have all of their albums.
Emerald
Rose – This is a
wonderful live band, not as magical on their CDs though. I see them at Dragoncon every year – they
combine Irish traditional with rocking pagan music.
Brobdingnanian
Bards – Traditional
ren band, very good, very nice! I
also see them at Dragoncon every
year.
New Age:
Clannad – Enya’s family, very talented. Lead singer Maire Brennan has done beautiful
solo stuff, too. They do a lot of
trad, but also do many ethereal original pieces.
Enya – Who hasn’t heard of Enya? Her haunting singing and mythical music
got her the gig to do the Elves music in Lord of the Rings. Who better? Was part of Clannad (her family) at one
point.
Hollie Smith – A beautiful haunting, smooth voice,
sometimes in duet with Steve McDonald
Steve McDonald – Ethereal bagpipes with a story –
what else could you want? His CDs
Sons of Somerled and Stone of Destiny are among the best I’ve
heard.
Loreena
McKennitt – She has an
incredible range for her voice, and tends to do original songs based on
legends and myths in Celtic culture, such as Arthurian legends.
Plastic Paddy:
Gaelic Storm – This is the band that played below decks
in the Titanic movie – lots of energy, lots of fun!
Great Big
Sea – they sing a lot
of traditional songs, as do most Plastic Paddy bands, but with modern
energy and beat (from Newfoundland)
Off Kilter – We saw them first at EPCOT in the Canada
exhibition – rock music to bagpipes, what a combo!
Prodigals – Another group of great energy, combined
with wicked humor. Their CD
‘Dreaming in Hell’s Kitchen’ is just very happy and fun.
Smoky
Finish – They are
probably the least Celtic of these, but still have some traditional music
in their CDs. Again, modern take and
energy on old songs.
Black ‘47 – sometimes silly, always passionate, fun
and energetic
Fusion (Celtic mixed with something
else)
Afro Celt
Sound System – I have
several of their albums, including Seed and Sound Magic, and love them
all. This is Celtic and Senegalese
music mixed. Very funky and upbeat.
Modern Rock:
The
Cranberries – Powerful
vocals and lyrics
Jethro Tull
- Ian Anderson of Jethro Tull released
(2000) a wonderful flute album called The Secret Language of the Birds that
is enchanting.
There are, of course, many other bands out there
(many you can find listed here) but these are
the ones I’ve heard and loved enough to buy the music for my own.
For travel
information and advice, please choose from the following:
ACCOMMODATION
DINING
DRIVING
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HISTORY
GEOGRAPHY
LANGUAGE
MYTHS AND LEGENDS
PEOPLE
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PUBS/DRINKING
RELIGION
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