Professor: Dr.

Adrian Radu
Student: Roca Iulia-Teodora
Istoria Imaginilor Istoria Ideilor, M1

Irish Culture:
Traditional Music and Public Houses

Ireland has always been known for its world heritage sites like the Brna Binne, or
for its colorful historical traditions (the traditional Christmas day swim).Tourists all over the
world come to cities like Dublin, Belfast or Cork to experience what is called the Irish
culture. Its the infusion between Celtic roots and vibrant modern edge that gives the Irish
culture its harmonious texture.
For this reason, it comes across hard to pin-point exactly what are the elements which
form Irelands culture. From the wide variation of customs and traditions, art, folklore,
language, sports and cuisine associated with Ireland and its people, this academic essay will
be focusing on two of Irelands utmost compounds which lay at the core of Irish culture:
traditional music and public houses.

Traditional Irish music

In order to get a better understanding of how Irish music plays such an important part
in the lands culture, it is necessary to touch base with some historical facts.
First of all, Irish music began as an oral tradition. Generation after generation listened
by ear without putting down on paper the tunes. What came to be known as traditional Irish
music took shape after the Celts arrived in the country, almost 2,000 years ago. In connection
to that, the Egyptian music played an important role in the matter as it is believed to have
influenced the Celts. Speculations go on so far as to stating that the traditional Irish harp may
have originated in Egypt. 1762 was a decisive year in the making-of music and expanding it

as tunes were officially written down for the very first time. Soon after that, composers
started to cross the country in order to compile different rhythms and tunes. This act
transcended throughout history and still continues even today in our modern time line. The
Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin preserves the tradition of collecting music as it is
considered to be the largest collection of folk music in the world.
The long history of emigration made it possible for the Irish music to travel not only
over 32 countries of Ireland, but all around the world. This fact alone led to the spectacular
moment in 1920 when the first ever recording of Irish music appeared. The event took place
in the States and the tapes were made available for the Irish public living abroad.
The fiddle player Michael Coleman contributed to the evolution of Irish music with
his recordings, which were taken in New York. He managed to polish up the style of music
and influence fiddle players for many years to come.
Sean Riada is another important name worthy of being mentioned when speaking
about the style of Irish music. He is known to be an influential figure in the revival of Irish
traditional music during the 1960s. By establishing the tradition musical ensemble Ceoltir
Chulainn, he surprised the audience with their musical arrangements of traditional music.
Riadas influence is still noticeable even today, especially in the creative grpa ceoil (music
group) competition at the Fleadh Cheoil. In recent years, there has been added a new accent
to the Irish music: celtic fusion with popular styles.
Singers and artists such as Dropkick Murphys, Sinad O'Connor and Flook to Daith
made use of traditional elements throughout their expressive music. Also, European and
American music used traditional Irish music in order to form a new gender. This period was
known as the Golden Age and it depicted the heavy influence of contemporary American or
European folk fused with the Irish music.
From such initiative memorable groups like Planxty and De Dannan were formed.
These bands paved the way for the U2 and The Script leading up to the 21 centurys refine
vibrant style of Irish music. Every year locals still celebrate the over whelming history that
structured traditional music through dynamical change. In this matter, the Music Festival of
Ireland, Fleadh Cheoilnah ireann, accepts over 400,000 attendees each year that arrive in
Ireland to celebrate the 2,000 years of music-making. It is considered to be the worlds
biggest traditional Irish music celebration.
Secondly, a big part of the Irish music consists of its instruments. What they used and
how they used it resembles the key feature of traditional Irish music. As we stated above, the
fiddle was the first in choice when playing. Besides that, the Celtic harp, the Irish flute, the

bodhrn, the Uilleann pipes and the tin whistle were next in line as part of the main
traditional instruments.
The violin and the fiddle are the exact same instrument, with a similar shape and size.
The major difference between these too consists in the style of playing them. When playing
the fiddle, the artist can hold the instrument in a personal way as he sees fit.
Less conformity in the body posture encourages the experimentation with more
musical ornamentation. Thus, traditional Irish music carries the mark of the individual, of the
singular making it almost next to impossible to find two fiddle performers who in the exact
same way the same tune.
The Irish Flute is made of wood and has a simple 6 holes -8 keys system. The most
fascinating aspect of this instrument is the pure mellow sound it produces unique feature to
Ireland. The traditional Celtic harp had no pedals and was much smaller. The Trinity College
Harp is considered one of the oldest surviving Celtic harps (15 century).
The Tin Whistle dates back to the 12 century and it can be described as a metal tube
with a mouthpiece and six holes. Because of its popularity among beggars, in the late 1500s
this instrument received the nick name penny whistle.
The bodhrn is a large drum (25 cm -65 cm diameter) covered with stretched goat
skin. The pulsating beat is produced with the help of a special stick which is made from
double-ended knucklebone. Also, in order to control the pitch and timbre the artist has to use
his other hand placing it against the inside of the drum.
The Uilleann Pipes (pipes of the elbow) appeared in Ireland at the beginning of the
18 century. Its a complex instrument hard to master and it is composed of a chanter with a
rage of 2 octaves in the key D. Also, it includes 4 drones and regulators along with extra
pipes for playing certain chords.
As we can notice, some of these instruments were hard and difficult to master, while
some had a more simple design and system. Nevertheless, the instruments along with the
performers play gave certain easiness to what was beginning to take shape as the traditional
Irish music.
Later on, in the 19 century the genre introduced new instruments to its core: the
button accordion, the concertina, the banjo, the harmonica and the mandolin. These new
musical instruments added a more joyful and electric vibe to the specific tune already
established by then, making the transit from classical to modern to be harmonious.
It is clearer now why Ireland is so keen on its music and why the people have embraced
it as being part of their cultural background. Through yearly festivals and the traditional Irish

music is celebrated and enjoyed by thousands that wish to feel the joy of dancing and
humming the popular songs. Besides these musical events, tourists can take part in what is
called by the locals modern sessions: gatherings in pubs where traditional Irish music is
played and experienced by all.

Irish pubs

Irish pubs are known worldwide for their one-of-a-kind culture, as pillars of Irish
social life. They are places where people gather to have drinks, talk, watch sporting events at
TV (such as Gaelic football and hurling), and eat in a friendly atmosphere, with Irish
traditional music in the background- these are actual hallmarks of pub culture.
Traditionally, the church, the pub and the local football club were the main social
gatherings for people in rural Ireland. People usually went to the pub after mass or after a
football match. The pub was where the peoples of a village met, exchanged stories and had
'craic' (fun)1.
Pubs, short from public houses, are traced back over a millennium. They function as an
institution, a part of the Irish tradition. The oldest pub is Seans Bar in Althone, County
Westmeath, from the 10th century. In 1635, the government required, by law, that all pubs
need to be licensed for selling drinks.
In the 18th century the presiding of marriages in pubs were made illegal. Underage
children are not served with alcohol, but they can stay until 8 p.m. to eat, chat and drink soda.
In the 19th century, the publicans were forced to take auxiliary businesses in the same
premises in order to compensate the declining spirit sales caused by a growing temperance
movement. This is how Spirit grocery was established. Some of the pub owners even
acted as undertakers, and the selling of groceries was on up until the 1960s, when
supermarkets and chain stores appeared. Ireland still has many pubs that kept the aspect of
the Spirit groceries, with a large space at the bar, but little room for tables. The counter was
also kept from the times when pubs were selling groceries as well as drinks.
1 http://www.gaelicmatters.com/irish-pub-culture.html

Authentic public houses are named after a street, a previous or present owner. The
Irish theme pubs just take any Irish family name, and, sometimes, the phrase and sons is
added to give the impression of authentic, of heritage and of family history.
The owner, known as a publican, represents an important figure. He participates in the
social life, bonds with the local customers, knows the latest news and events in peoples lives,
and keeps track of the usual drinks his customers order. In general, a publican assures that all
the customers, be they frequent or outsiders get to experience the informal, warm and friendly
ambience.
Food became a significant matter of the Irish pub experience, since now people eat
out more than they used to. Its not fancy, but comfort food, mostly traditional. A pub menu
may display a variety of fish dishes if it is near the sea, but Irish stew, boxty and soda bread
are the most common. Some may also have soups and chowders, coddle, fish-and-chips,
collar and cabbage or champ. Along these dishes, people are served snacks when they buy
beer.
The Irish public house was the common place for working people to go to as an
alternative to the private drinking clubs, accessible only to wealthier men who could pay for
entry. It is a pillar of the community, a place where locals can gather and have conversations,
tell jokes, have craic, just like a bigger family that spends time in the living-room: There
are no strangers here; only friends you havent met yet (William Butler Yeats).
It is a tradition to buy your table a round of beverages, and all do it in turns.
Traditional Irish toast is Slainte! equivalent for cheers.
While in a pub, people can feel the Irish spirit, the pulse of Ireland, and for a more
traditionally conserved pub, anyone should think of a trip to a smaller town or in Irelands
countryside.
In big cities, the Irishness is emphasized to attract tourists and, by extension, money
incomes. The economy led not only to this sort of changes in Ireland, but also around the
world. The Irish pub became so popular and melded very well anywhere due to its casual
atmosphere and the social culture that come along drinking (Irish music, sometimes played
live- jigs/ trad sessions, food, watching sports).

From mid 19th century to early 20th century, pubs rouse around the world as a result of
the large number of emigrants. The publicans were Irish and the pubs were traditional, they
look-alike with the ones in Ireland.
From 1991, the Irish Pub Company started to build millions of Irish themed pubs in
the world, but these lacked authenticity- the faux Irish pubs. Even so, they gave a sense of
connection to the Irish people from Diaspora.
For those who want an insight into the pub way of life, the The Irish Pub
documentary, released in 2013, is a eulogy to the greatest institution in Irish society, the pubor, more specifically, the traditional Irish publicans who run them. 2 It presents some of the
most famous pubs, making a tour around Ireland, from Dingle to Donegal.
The film has won prizes for the representation of what it is considered to be by far
more than just a place where people drink. It reflects upon matters of history, politics,
religion, famine, the Troubles, sport, music, anecdotes and the Irish sense of humour.
The characters in the movie are publicans who run the businesses that are in their families for
generations. They have many stories to tell, meaning that oral storytelling and folklore are
still generated in modern Ireland.
I have presented, briefly, two core elements of the Irish culture and spirituality that
kept Irishmen ongoing in times of distress, hunger, fighting and cheerful in festive,
benevolent periods, just like a heart keeps on pumping blood and oxygen in our bodies at all
times. As long as there is life in Ireland and Irishmen and Irish lovers, there will be voices
and music from pubs, fairs, gatherings and, not to forget, Irish Diaspora.

2 http://snackboxfilms.com/portfolio_page/theirishpub/

Bibliography

http://irishpubcompany.com/the-story-of-the-irish-pub-company/
http://irishpubfilm.com/reviews/
http://irishpubfilm.com/the-pubs-2/
http://snackboxfilms.com/portfolio_page/theirishpub/
http://www.gaelicmatters.com/irish-pub-culture.html
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3229518/
http://www.irishcentral.com/roots/history/The-history-and-origins-of-traditional-Irishmusic.html
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/culturebox/2006/03/irelands_crack_habit.html
http://www.thisisirishfilm.ie/trailers/the-irish-pub
http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-a-publican.htm
http://www.yourirish.com/traditions/christmas-day-swim
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