Trad Session Ireland

The harp was the most popular instrument in ancient times with harpists employed to play for chieftains and to create music for nobles. This was until the Flight of the Earls in 1607 when native Irish chieftains fled the land under threat from invaders. With the flight of their patrons to mainland Europe, the harpists were left to travel the country and play where they could.

The main traditional instruments are the fiddle, Irish flute, tin whistle, Celtic harp, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán.

The harp has been a significant instrument in Irish music history, with its popularity dating back to ancient times. Harpists were highly regarded, and their music was often played for chieftains and nobles. However, the Flight of the Earls in 1607 brought an end to this era, as many native Irish chieftains fled the land under the threat of invaders, leaving the harpists to fend for themselves. Despite this, the harp remains a vital part of Irish music, and it continues to be played by many musicians today.

Apart from the harp, other traditional instruments in Irish music include the fiddle, Irish flute, tin whistle, Celtic harp, uilleann pipes, and bodhrán. Each instrument has its unique sound and style, contributing to the rich tapestry of Irish music. The fiddle, for example, is known for its fast-paced and lively tunes, while the uilleann pipes produce a haunting and melancholic sound. The bodhrán, on the other hand, is a percussive instrument that provides a rhythmic foundation for many Irish tunes.

Overall, Irish music is a vibrant and diverse musical tradition, with a rich history and culture. Whether you prefer the soaring melodies of the harp or the driving rhythms of the bodhrán, there is something for everyone to enjoy in the world of Irish music.

The Thoroughbred County.

Legends recall how the irrepressible warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill was headquartered on the Hill of Allen from where he served as huntsman to King Cormac 300 of his hounds are identified by name in the Ossianic Cycle. A Royal pack of hounds would certainly not have looked out of place when the Celts gathered to race their chariots on the Curragh plains during the annual fair in ancient times.
The Annals tell of Connairé Môr attending the fair with four chariots before he was killed in 60 AD. Racing constituted such an integral part of the fair that many chroniclers called it Curragh of the Races.

It was perhaps small wonder that St Bridget thus made sure her cloak enveloped the entirety of the Curragh plains when the King of Leinster promised to entrust her with any land that fell within its shadow. The kings of old all rode horses. The saintly king of Munster, broke his neck falling from a horse at the battle of Bellaghmoon near Castledermot in 908 AD. The victor of that clash was Cerball mac Muirecáin, the last King of Leinster to reside at Naas. Cerball was regarded as “a skilful horseman” but he was fated to die a slow, lingering death when, riding by a noisy blacksmith’s forge in Kildare town, his horse reared and flung the monarch upon his own lance.

As well as racehorses and hunters, Kildare was a bastion of the draught horses that were once used to carry the people along the country roads, to plough the fields and to draw barges of stout and other goods along the waterways. A gentleman was even filmed water-skiing up the Grand Canal in the 1960s – while attached by a rope to a galloping horse. The tracks of the ropes of the horse drawn barges can still be seen by the canal bridge at Ardclough.

The Hill of Allen, a place steeped in legend, was once the headquarters of the famous warrior Fionn mac Cumhaill, who served as a huntsman to King Cormac and had a pack of 300 hounds. The Celts would gather at the Curragh plains during the annual fair, where chariot races were a popular event. Racing was so integral to the fair that it was sometimes referred to as the Curragh of the Races.

Bridget, the patron saint of Ireland, covered the entire Curragh with her cloak when the King of Leinster promised to give her any land that fell within its shadow. The kings of old rode horses, and some were skilled horsemen, but they were not immune to accidents. The last King of Leinster to reside in Naas, Cerball mac Muirecáin, died a slow, lingering death after his horse reared and flung him upon his own lance while riding by a blacksmith's forge in Kildare town.

Kildare was also known for its draught horses, which were used for transportation and carrying goods along the waterways. Even in the 1960s, a gentleman was filmed water-skiing up the Grand Canal while attached to a galloping horse by a rope. Today, the tracks of the ropes used by horse-drawn barges can still be seen by the canal bridge at Ardclough, a testament to the important role horses played in the history of this region.

Anamchara

Anamchara Soul mate 

In the Celtic tradition, there is a beautiful understanding of love and friendship. One of the fascinating ideas here is the idea of soul-love; the old Gaelic term for this is anamchara. Anam is the Gaelic word for soul and chara is the word for friend. So anamchara in the Celtic world was the “soul friend” With the anamchara you could share your inner-most self, your mind and your heart. This friendship was an act of recognition and belonging. When you had an anamchara, your friendship cut across all convention, morality, and category. You were joined in an ancient and eternal way with the “friend of your soul” The Celtic understanding did not set limitations of space or time on the soul. There is no cage for the soul. The soul is a divine light that flows into you and into your Other.

The concept of anamchara soul mate in Celtic tradition is a beautiful and fascinating idea. Anamchara refers to a soul-love or a soul friend. The term anam means soul and chara refers to a friend. In Celtic culture, anamchara was a friendship where one could share their innermost thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This friendship was based on recognition and belonging, transcending all conventions, morals, and categories. One was connected in an ancient and eternal way with the friend of their soul.

The Celtic understanding of the soul did not restrict it to space or time. The soul is a divine light that flows into a person and their other. It is not confined to a cage. The idea of anamchara reminds us of the importance of having a deep and meaningful connection with another person. It encourages us to be open and vulnerable with those we trust and to recognize the divine light within ourselves and others. It is a reminder that true friendship and love extends beyond superficial boundaries and categories, and is a connection of the soul.

Laser Engraved Rory Gallagher Aluminium Card Holder Wallet

Rory Gallagher, known as the People’s Guitarist, was an Irish blues star who was modest, passionate, and all about the music and his Fender Strat. It’s little wonder the Ballyshannon musician is still celebrated today.

Gallagher told Rolling Stone in 1972: “It seems a waste to me to work and work for years and just turn into some sort of personality."

Although he was only 23 when he said this, he certainly stuck to his guns and became known for his non-stop touring and his talent.

Born in Ballyshannon, Co Donegal and brought up in Co Cork, Gallagher, whose albums have sold in excess of 30 million copies worldwide, has a dedicated fanbase around the world, including notably U2's The Edge and Slash.

During the 1970s, Gallagher was invited to play on Chess Records’ “London Sessions” with Jerry Lee Lewis and Muddy Waters. He also recorded with The Rolling Stones and was once in the running to replace Mick Taylor but chose to return to his own band. He toured alongside Bob Dylan and was good friends with Van Morrison.

After forming the band Taste during the late 1960s, Gallagher recorded solo albums throughout the 1970s and 1980s. He was a talented guitarist known for his charismatic performances and dedication to his craft.