Folk Music Today

We have learned that Irish music and song was largely influenced by the east (Europe, Asia, Africa) until about a century ago. The point of influence changed from east to west (America) through the arrival of technology, largely spurred by emigration from the east. The introduction of the gramophone and radio in Ireland of the 1930s and 1940s gave musicians and singers the first opportunity to listen to traditions other than that of their own town land or parish.

Following centuries of natural evolution of traditions which closely mirrored a human pace of change, the influence of technological advance ensured that tradition bearers looked further away from their natural environment and immediate neighbourhood to learn a new tune or song. While it opened rural areas to a whole new world, it also impacted significantly on regional styles, identity and social interaction. On the other hand, emigrant musicians and singers to the USA in the 19th and 20th centuries had a significant influence on various genres of music including blues, old-time, bluegrass and country. By 2012, there was a thriving Americana music scene in Ireland, with bands such as I Draw Slow reaching beyond these shores to bring an Irish interpretation to old-time music to an international audience.

Ireland of the 1960s and 70s experienced a folk music boom particularly in urban centres such as Dublin, Cork and Galway. Folk groups including the Dubliners, Sweeney's Men, Planxty and the Bothy Band developed the instrumentation of Irish traditional music and song, popularising the use of the guitar, bouzouki and mandolin as accompaniment in live performance. The genre of folk-rock in the same period witnessed the rise of groups such as Horslips and Thin Lizzy, both of whom included strains of Irish traditional music in their performance. In the same period, rural areas witnessed the increased popularity of the showband and country music scene and a move away from traditions of past generations which were strongly associated with poverty and harder times.

Danu

Danu are a traditional Irish music group

Courtesy of danu.net

Danu
Courtesy of danu.net

Danu

Danu are a traditional Irish music group

Courtesy of danu.net

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Various events in the 1990s including the Riverdance phenomenon combined with a perceived increase in national confidence due to the 'Celtic Tiger' led to the marketability of Irish traditional music, song and dance. It became fashionable, particularly in urban areas to send children to a Gaelscoil while also learning a traditional instrument, song or dance. Spurred by the success of Riverdance, Irish traditional music was increasingly marketed as a part of 'World Music', encouraging fusion between professional or semi-professional musicians with traditions from distant shores. With regard to performance of Irish traditional music and song, the past fifty years has witnessed a movement away from the kitchen and towards the stage. Altan, Lúnasa, Danú and Dervish are groups who have successfully forged a reputation worldwide. Likewise, traditional music and song is now largely transmitted to younger generations through formal classes or workshops at annual fleadhs or festivals which are a feature in every large town in Ireland. While Irish music and song is viewed as a strong marketable commodity, the tradition of early 21^st century Ireland is still, for the most part comprised of non-professional musicians and singers who play for enjoyment at regular gatherings, both in public and private houses.