The Musical History
Music is an important part of Irish culture; it tells the story of the land and its people. Throughout history, during times of celebration and rebellion, music sent a powerful message and brought people together. Today, Irish folk music is a living tradition found in pubs throughout Ireland and the world, and at numerous traditional music sessions and festivals.
Ireland has long had a rich oral tradition of storytelling and song. In the middle ages, noble families employed harpists and storytellers who traveled with them and held a high social status. As the social order changed and their rich patrons no longer employed them, many harpists became traveling musicians. An early example of taking the show on the road!
In the early to mid-twentieth century, traditional music was usually played in the home and at community gatherings called ceilidhs. In 1951, the Comhaltas Coeltoiri Eireann (CCE) was founded to promote Irish traditional music. CCE established the Fleadh Ceoil Festival, which brings thousands of aspiring musicians to Ireland for competition every year. In the 1960s, the resurgence of interest in traditional music in Ireland coincided with the rise of folk musicians in the United States. In 1961, the Clancy Brothers appeared on the Ed Sullivan Show, four young men in Aran sweaters, making Irish music history and bringing Irish folk music across the Atlantic.
Music is so ingrained in Irish culture that an instrument, the harp, is the national emblem of Ireland. It appears on several Irish flags as well: the Standard of the President of Ireland, the Irish Naval Jack and the Confederacy of Ireland flag, the unofficial flag during the eighteenth and nineteenth century. In 1922, the Irish Free State officially adopted the tricolor as the national flag.
Traditional Trad Sessions
If the harp is the national symbol of Ireland then surely Guinness must be the national drink of Ireland. And what is the company logo? The harp! There is a subtle difference, however; the harp on the Guinness logo faces to the right.
When traveling in Ireland, one of the most authentically “Irish” things you can experience is a traditional music seisun (session) in a pub. Whether it is a rural pub found at a crossroads in the countryside, or a well-known pub in Temple Bar in Dublin, a “trad session” is a great opportunity to witness the living tradition of Irish music.
A traditional Irish music festival, or trad fest, takes the session to the next level. While a session is an informal gathering of musicians, a trad fest is an organized, often multi-day event. A trad fest celebrates Irish music and culture, incorporating various acts and often dancing. One of the best-known trad fests in Ireland is the Dublin Trad Fest, which takes place in Temple Bar in January.
This Month
Donegal Square is bringing the tradition of the Irish Trad Fest to Bethlehem! Our third annual Failte Festival (failte being the Irish word for “welcome”) takes place Friday, March 13 through Sunday, March 15 at the Charles A. Brown Ice House in Bethlehem. Three days, six shows—a wonderful celebration of Irish music and dance for St. Patrick’s weekend. The incredible world champion piper Robert Watt will appear at all six shows, accompanied by artists seen and loved at Musikfest and Celtic Classic. We have headliners The Rogue Diplomats (March 13 at 7:30 PM), The Jeremiahs (March 14 at 2:15 PM and 8:15 PM), The O’Grady Quinlan dancers and Seamus Kelleher (March 14 at 5:00 PM), and Seamus Kennedy (March 15 at 2:00 PM and 4:15 PM). Tickets $20, available at Donegal Square, 534 Main Street, Bethlehem PA or online at www.donegalsquare.com. Ticket packages are also available.
Donegal Square | 534 Main St., Bethlehem | donegalsquare.com
This post is a sponsored collaboration between Donegal Square and Lehigh Valley Style.
