- Irish folk music, commonly referred to as Irish traditional music or Irish trad, is a subgenre of folk music that originated in Ireland.
- Irish folk music collections date back to the 18th century, although ballad printers did not establish themselves in Dublin until the 19th. Colm Lochlainn, George Petrie, Edward Bunting, Francis O'Neill, James Goodman, and numerous others are notable collectors. Despite the folk tradition's preference for solo performance, bands or at the very least small groups have likely been a part of Irish music from at least the middle of the 19th century, although this is a subject of significant debate among ethnomusicologists.
- Irish traditional music has resisted the forces of cinema, radio, and the media more forcefully than the native folk music of the majority of European nations. This may have occurred since neither of the two world wars' geographic fronts included the nation. Another likely contributing element was the economy's predominance in agriculture, an industry known for its strong oral traditions. Folk music was regarded poorly from the end of World War II until the late 1950s. The popularity of the Fleadh Cheoil music festival and Comhaltas Ceoltóir Éireann, an association for Irish traditional music, both contributed to the rebirth of the music. Many Irish musicians were inspired and given confidence by the English folk music movement. Irish folk music regained popularity in the US after The Clancy Brothers and Tommy Makem's triumph there in 1959. Male ensembles with a focus on the guitar, like The Dubliners, have supplanted the lush, romantic style of singers like Delia Murphy. Irish showbands performed a fusion of pop music and folk dancing songs, but they went extinct in the 1970s. Irish folk music has become a recognized global brand because to the success of The Chieftains and following singers and ensembles abroad.
- A significant amount of American old-time music historically developed from the music of Scotland, England, and Ireland as a result of cultural diffusion. By the 1970s, traditional Irish music was once more having an impact on music in the US and other countries including Australia and Europe. On occasion, it has been combined with other genres like punk rock and rock and roll.
- Source Wikipedia
- Here is a sample of some tunes that you may enjoy. You can listen to the complete mix non-stop using the first link or select individual tunes below, as you prefer. Of course there are lots more besides these. Enjoy the Irish tradition.
CLASSIC IRISH TRAD TUNES MIX - WATCH THEM ALL
INDIVIDUAL CLASSIC IRISH TRAD TUNES