The Best Instrumental Irish Folk Music

Instrumental Irish folk music is the perfect backdrop to any situation where you want to create a relaxed and pleasant atmosphere. Whether you’re hosting a party, preparing for a big day, or just want to enjoy some great music, these ten tracks will do the trick.

1. The Galway Piper – The Chieftains
2. The Boy in the Gap – Planxty
3. The Irish Washerwoman – The Dubliners
4. Farewell to Music – Dervish
5. An tOstal – John Williams & David Hyde Pierce
6. Maurice Lennon’s Jig – Stockton’s Wing
7. O’Carolan’s Receipt for Drinking – The Bothy Band
8. Morrison’s Jig / General Humbert – The Chieftains & Sting
9. Ashokan Farewell – Jay Ungar & Molly Mason
10. Banish Misfortune / Ophelia – The Pogues

The Different Types of Instrumental Irish Folk Music

Up-tempo reels are often played as the first tune in a set of tunes, as they are a good way to get people up and dancing.Slower airs are usually played towards the end of a session, when people are winding down and maybe even thinking about going home. Hornpipes have a distinctive rhythm which is often used in step dancing.Jigs are characterized by their light and bouncy feel, which makes them perfect for dancing.Polkas originated in Central Europe, but have been adopted by Irish musicians and become a staple of traditional Irish music.

Instrumental Irish folk music comes in many different forms, each with its own distinct style and purpose. The most common types of instrumental folk music are reels, airs, hornpipes, jigs, and polkas.

Reels are fast-paced tunes that are often used as the first tune in a set, as they are a good way to get people up and dancing. Airs are slower tunes that are typically played towards the end of a session, when people are winding down and maybe even thinking about going home. Hornpipes have a distinctive rhythm which is often used in step dancing. Jigs are characterized by their light and bouncy feel, which makes them perfect for dancing. Polkas originated in Central Europe, but have been adopted by Irish musicians and become a staple of traditional Irish music.

No matter what your mood or occasion may be, there is sure to be an instrumental Irish folk tune to suit your needs!

The History of Instrumental Irish Folk Music

Instrumental Irish folk music has been a part of the country’s musical tradition for centuries. The genre is characterized by its use of traditional instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and accordion.

Instrumental Irish folk music was traditionally used for dancing, but it has also been used for storytelling and other forms of entertainment. The genre has seen a resurgence in popularity in recent years, with many modern musicians adopting a more traditional approach to playing.

The history of instrumental Irish folk music is closely intertwined with the country’s history and culture. Many of thegenre’s most popular tunes have been passed down from generation to generation, and have become an integral part of Ireland’s musical heritage.

The Different Regions Where Instrumental Irish Folk Music is Popular

Instrumental Irish folk music is popular in many different regions. Each region has its own traditional instruments, styles, and songs.

Some of the most popular regions for instrumental Irish folk music are:
-The United States: Many Irish immigrants moved to the United States during the 19th century. They brought their music with them and it quickly became popular in many different parts of the country. Traditional Irish folk music is still popular in the United States today.
-Ireland: Instrumental Irish folk music is obviously very popular in Ireland! It is an important part of the country’s culture and heritage.
-Canada: A large number of Irish immigrants moved to Canada during the 18th and 19th centuries. As a result, instrumental Irish folk music is also very popular in Canada.
-Australia: Instrumental Irish folk music was brought to Australia by Irish immigrants during the 19th century. It quickly became popular and is still enjoyed by many Australians today.

The Various Artists Who Play Instrumental Irish Folk Music

There is a wide variety of artists who play instrumental Irish folk music. Some are traditional Irish bands, while others are more contemporary. Here is a list of some of the best instrumental Irish folk bands:

-The Chieftains
-Planxty
-The Bothy Band
-Altan
-The Dubliners
-Clannad
-The Pogues

The Different Styles of Instrumental Irish Folk Music

Irish folk music has seen a huge resurgence in popularity in recent years. A big part of this is due to the fact that many people are now interested in the different styles of instrumental Irish folk music.

There are many different instruments that can be used to play Irish folk music, but the most common ones are the fiddle, the tin whistle, and the bodhrán. The fiddle is by far the most popular instrument for playing Irish folk music, and it is often used to play fast-paced dance tunes. The tin whistle is another popular choice for playing Irish folk music, and it is often used to play slower, more melodic tunes. The bodhrán is a percussion instrument that is often used to provide a steady beat for other instruments to follow.

If you are interested in learning how to play Irish folk music on one of these instruments, there are many resources available online and in books. You can also find many instructional DVDs that can teach you the basics of playing these instruments.

The Various Festivals Dedicated to Instrumental Irish Folk Music

Instrumental Irish folk music is a genre of folk music that developed in Ireland. It is usually performed on the fiddle, accordion, concertina, penny whistle, flute, tin whistle, melodeon, uilleann pipes or bodhrán.

There are many festivals dedicated to this type of music such as the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil and the Belfast Harp Festival. The All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil is the largest musical event in Ireland. It is held annually in a different town or city and attracts musicians from all over the world. The Belfast Harp Festival is also held annually and is one of the oldest music festivals in Ireland.

The Different Recordings of Instrumental Irish Folk Music

There are many different recordings of instrumental Irish folk music. Some of the more popular ones include “The Chieftains”, “Planxty”, and “The Bothy Band”. Each band has a unique style that differs from the others. The Chieftains are known for their traditional sound, while Planxty is known for their more modern approach to the music. The Bothy Band is known for their use of traditional instrumentation and for their innovative arrangements of traditional tunes.

The Various Awards Given for Instrumental Irish Folk Music

There are many awards that are given for excellence in instrumental Irish folk music. The best known and most prestigious of these is the All-Ireland Music Competition, which is held annually in Belfast, Ireland. This competition is open to musicians of all ages and from all over the world, and is one of the most highly respected events in the Irish music calendar.

Other notable awards include the Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann, which is held every year in a different town or city in Ireland, and is the largest traditional music festival in the world. The Irish Music Awards are another prestigious set of awards, which are given out annually by a panel of experts. These awards are highly respected within the music industry, and often attract a lot of media attention.

The Future of Instrumental Irish Folk Music

There is no denying that Irish folk music is in a state of flux. The traditional forms of the music are slowly but surely being replaced by more contemporary styles, and the once-clear divide between “traditional” and “folk” music is becoming increasingly blurred. This is not necessarily a bad thing; indeed, many see it as a natural and inevitable evolution of the music. But it does mean that the future of instrumental Irish folk music is somewhat uncertain.

The traditional form of Irish folk music was largely based on the use of acoustic instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and uilleann pipes. With the advent of electrification in the 20th century, however, many Irish musicians began to experiment with new sounds and technologies. This trend has continued in recent years, with more and more young Irish musicians making use of digital technology to create new and innovative sounds.

Some purists argue that this move away from traditional acoustic instruments is tantamount to apostasy, and that it risks destroying the very essence of what makes Irish folk music so special. Others argue that this is simply a natural progression of the music, and that those who embrace change will be the ones who keep Irish folk music alive and thriving into the future.

Whatever your opinion on the matter, there is no doubt that instrumental Irish folk music is in a state of transition. It remains to be seen what form it will take in the years to come, but one thing is certain: it will continue to evolve and change, just as it always has done.

The Best Instrumental Irish Folk Music