American Frontier Folk Music The fiddle was the favourite instrument of the new Irish immigrants in America. Much of this music had its roots in Ulster.
Christmas Carol Methodism grew steadily in Ireland following John Wesley’s first visit in 1747. It was strongest in south and west Ulster. Many of these ...
The Fiddler The fiddle was especially popular with the poor and many of them learned to play by ear.
A Famine Song The Famine became the inspiration for many local poems and songs. This is an example of a contemporary farm labourer’s song.
The Harp That Once The poet, Thomas Moore, wrote hundreds of Irish ballads such as this and put them to existing times. This one was very popular.
Music at Home For the wealthy a piano was a popular item of furniture and sons and daughters were given music instruction so that they could entertain ...
Dancing the polka During the 1840s a new European dance, the Polka, became very popular among society’s upper classes. These ladies and gentlemen are ...
Dancing at a fair Fairs allowed local people to enjoy themselves. Music was often provided by a fiddle player and dancing was popular throughout Ireland.
Ballad Singers Ballad singers were to be found in most towns. They learned the popular songs of the day and provided entertainment for their neighbours.
Dancing in the Kitchen Rural dwellers were keen on ‘home entertainment’. They often visited each other’s houses to tell stories and dance to fiddle music. The ...
