Junior Cert – Irish Music Essays (Part D)

2015: Brief note on one: Sean O’Riada, Bill Whelan, Turlough O’Carolan, Sharon Shannon, Denis Hempson or Bill Whelan

Write an note on a well known Irish traditional group of your choice

2014: Sean Nós Singing (2002) (Be able to name a performer and a song).

2013: Identify 4 different types of Irish Folk Songs and describe 1 song in detail. (She Moved Through The Fair is your choice song. Use this – not your set song!)

2012: Name 1 Collector and 1 Harper at the Belfast Harp Festival. (2009)

(Write on Edward Bunting and Denis Hempson – not on Turlough O’Carolan – he was dead!!)

2011: Name and describe a Traditional Performance of either a song or a dance.

(Táimse Im’ Chodladh – Zoe Conway, or Riverdance) (2004)

2010: Write on a Collector and the role of the Collector. (Edward Bunting)

2009: Write on the Harping Tradition and the Belfast Harp Festival of 1792.

2008: Write on 2 Irish instruments that play melody, 1 that plays rhythm only, 1 that plays chords and 1 that plays melody and chords.

Melody – Flute, Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Concertina

Rhythm –Bodhrán, bones, spoon, snare drum (in Céili Band)

Chords – Guitar

Melody and Chords – harp, Uileann Pipes, Accordion, Piano (in Céilí Band)

2007: Write on 2 Organisations that promote Irish Music.

(C.C.E., Gael Linn, G.A.A., Radio na Gaeltachta)

2006: Write on a String, a Woodwind and Percussion Instrument and name Performers.

2005: Write on 2 efforts to preserve Irish Music in the 20th Century.

(Seamus Ennis – collected music for BBC in 1951, The Fleadh, Riverdance)

2004: Write on a Solo or Group Performance and describe 3 musical features.

(Táimse Im Chodladh – Zoe Conway, Riverdance, The Corrs)

2003: Write on a Collector (Edward Bunting) or a Solo Performer (Zoe Conway / Micheál O Suilleabháin)

2002: Write on Sean Nós Singing and name a song

What hasn’t come up yet??? Céili Band Tradition! (see overleaf)

The Céili Band

The first Céilí took place in London organised by the Gaelic League. They spread to Ireland in the 1950’s and

1060’s filling the dance halls of Ireland. Previously musicians would meet at the crossroads / outdoors.

The 5 basic instruments in a typical Céilí band are:

Fiddle, flute, accordion playing the melody

Piano or Keyboard playing the accompaniment (usually vamping – playing chords not melody)

Snare Drum sometimes with cymbals, or sometimes the drummer has a woodblock attached to the drum kit

that the player taps at the beginning of the piece to give the beat to the other performers.

Quieter instruments are on the front of the stage so they can be heard above the dancer’s feet.

The Kilfenora Céilí Band from Co. Clare is one of Ireland’s most famous bands. It was formed in 1909 by the

parish priest of Kilfenora to help with fundraising in the parish. It is Ireland’s oldest Céilí band and is still

going strong today. They won the All Ireland Fleadh Cheoil in 1954, 1955 and 1956 and 3 titles again in 1993,

1994 and 1995. They play in Ireland and tour all around the world performing on their own and also with

others. There are currently 10 members – 3 fiddles, 2 flutes, 2 accordions (box), 1 Banjo (John Lynch, who is

their leader), 1 drum and 1 piano. They have recorded many albums: They produced a special album in 2009

to mark their centenary (100 years).

Many of the tunes are learned by ear and many young musicians still learn this way even today. Musicians

learn from listening, watching, imitating and playing along with others. Often teachers give the notes written

as letters as a guideline and the students learn in this way.

Bands often play for Céilí dancing and céilí dances are group dances which can be learned quite quickly. The

compere will often call out the steps and the more experienced dancers will teach the others. Students learn

to céilí dance while at Irish college / Gaeltacht.

Hundreds of young people take part in Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann each year, in the Céilí band competitions.

Features of Céilí Band Music: Melody instruments play in unison

Vamping Piano

Snare Drum (not Bodhrán) – Bodhrán too quiet to be heard over dancers

feet.

Count-in on Woodblock

Functional Music used for dancing (they will be playing an Irish dance tune –

reel / jig etc.)