Summary: General Comments
Key dates:
In the late 17th century there was much music and dancing after the sober days under Oliver Cromwell. The Irish enjoyed these pastimes especially at wakes and weddings.
By the 18th century every hamlet had its own musician who provided cheer in an otherwise dull life. Some dance masters travelled around teaching their craft. There was much traditional music, ranging from lullabies to ballads and songs for ploughing, spinning and weaving.
The words and music pictured are from a poem written by Peadar O Doirnin who was a famous south Ulster poet who lived from 1684 to 1768.
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