The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s was a movement to revive traditional Irish music. This music had been passed down from generation to generation, but was in danger of being lost. The Revival helped to preserve this music and make it popular again.

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s – an overview

In the 1960s, there was a renewed interest in traditional Irish music. This was part of a wider roots revival movement that was taking place in other parts of the world. Musicians began to collect and perform old songs, and many of them also began to write new songs in a traditional style. The revival had a massive impact on Irish music, which has enjoyed continued popularity ever since.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – the origins

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s was a reactionary movement against the modernization and commercialization of Irish music. It was also a coming together of traditional musicians and a new generation of music lovers who were interested in exploring their roots.

The Revival can be traced back to the 1950s when a number of factors, including the influence of American folk music, led to a renewed interest in traditional Irish music. In the early 1960s, a number of seminal folk clubs sprang up in Dublin and other cities, providing a platform for both traditional and new musicians. The first major folk festival was held in 1964, and by the end of the decade, the Revival was in full swing.

During the Revival, many traditional songs and tunes were rediscovered and newly composed songs were written in the traditional style. The Revival also saw the birth of such legendary bands as The Dubliners and The Chieftains, who went on to international acclaim.

The Irish Folk Music Revival was an important cultural movement that had a profound impact on Irish music and identity.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – the music

In the 1960s, a Revival of interest in traditional Irish music began. The music of this era is sometimes described as “Celtic”, although that term is controversial and not universally accepted by musicians. This Revival was arguably the first time that traditional Irish music had been taken seriously by the wider public since the 18th century.

One of the most important aspects of the Revival was the collection and publication of traditional songs and tunes. Until this time, much of Ireland’s traditional music had been passed down orally from generation to generation, with few tunes being written down. In many cases, songs and tunes would be different in different parts of the country. The work of song collectors such as Frank Harte, Pearse Hutchinson and Liam Clancy helped to preserve this musical heritage and make it more widely available.

The Revival also saw a renewed interest in playing traditional music on traditional instruments. The most notable instrument of this era was probably the concertina, which had previously been associated mainly with rural musicmaking but which was taken up by a new generation of players such as Joe Cooley and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill.

As well as concertinas, a wide variety of other traditional instruments were played during the Revival, including fiddles (or violins), tin whistles, uilleann pipes (Irish bagpipes), guitars, mandolins, bodhráns (a type of drum) and accordions. Many of these instruments had fallen out of use in previous decades but were now being rediscovered and revived.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – the performers

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s was a time when traditional Irish music saw a resurgence in popularity. A number of factors contributed to this, including the increasing popularity of Celtic festivals and the growing interest in traditional music from other parts of the world.

One of the key figures in the revival was Dublin-born musician Sean O’ Riada, who was a founder member of the influential folk group Ceoltori Eireann (The Musicians of Ireland). O’ Riada brought an updated, more modern approach to traditional Irish music, and his work had a huge influence on the direction of the revival. Other key performers included Planxty, The Bothy Band, The Chieftains, De Dannan, and The Dubliners.

The revival was not just about the music – it was also about rediscovering and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Ireland. This led to a renewed interest in traditional Irish arts and crafts, as well as in language and literature. The revival gave rise to a number of important events and organizations, such as the annual Cork Folk Festival and Comhaltas Ceoltori Eireann (an organization dedicated to promoting traditional Irish music).

The Irish Folk Music Revival – the influence

The Irish Folk Music Revival was a musical movement that began in the 1960s and lasted until the end of the century. It’s roots lay in the work of collectors such as Francis O’Neill, who preserved many Irish songs that would have otherwise been lost. This work was continued by people such as Sean O Riada, who arranged traditional tunes for bands such as The Chieftains. The revival also coincided with the rise of interest in Celtic culture in general, which led to a renewed interest in folk music from all over Europe.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – the legacy

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s was a time when people became interested in the traditional music of Ireland. This was due to many factors, such as the political situation in Ireland and the rise of youth culture in the Western world. The revival brought about a new appreciation for Irish music, which had been declining in popularity for many years. It also led to the emergence of many new Irish musicians, who went on to have successful careers in folk and traditional music.

The Revival is considered to be one of the most important events in the history of Irish music. It has left a lasting legacy on the music scene in Ireland, and its impact is still felt today. Many of the musicians who emerged during the Revival went on to become household names, both in Ireland and abroad. They include people like Planxty, The Dubliners, The Clancy Brothers, and The Chieftains. The Revival also spawned a new generation of singers and songwriters, many of whom are still active today. These include people like Christy Moore, Paul Brady, and Cathal McConnell.

The Irish Folk Music Revival was an important time for Irish music. It led to a renewed interest in traditional music, and spawned a new generation of talented musicians. Its legacy is still evident today, both in Ireland and around the world.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – in popular culture

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s – in popular cultureThe Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s – in popular culture occurred as a result of the country’s increased interest in its traditional music and dances. This was buoyed by the establishment of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann in 1951, which helped to promote Irish music and dancing. The revival also coincided with the formation of many traditional Irish music groups, such as The Chieftains and The Dubliners. These groups would go on to achieve mainstream success, both in Ireland and internationally.

During the 1960s, there was a renewed interest in Irish traditional music and dance. This was partly due to the work of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, an organisation established in 1951 with the aim of promoting traditional Irish music and culture. The revival also coincided with the formation of many traditional Irish music groups, such as The Chieftains and The Dubliners. These groups would go on to achieve mainstream success, both internationally.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – today

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s was a time when music and culture came together to create something special. A new generation of Irish people were rediscovering their roots and celebrating their heritage through music. The revival saw the traditional folk music of Ireland being given a new lease of life, with famous folk singers such as Luke Kelly, Derek Warfield and Christy Moore becoming household names.

The revival was not just about the music – it was also about fashion, with traditional Irish dress becoming fashionable once again. The Revival saw a new interest in Irish language and culture, with many people learning to speak Gaelic for the first time.

The Revival was an important time in Irish history, and its legacy can still be seen and heard today. Traditional Irish music is more popular than ever, with young people continuing to rediscover and celebrate their heritage through song.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – further reading

The Irish Folk Music Revival of the 1960s was a period of great interest in traditional Irish music. A number of books were published at the time, which are listed below. These books are still in print and are widely available.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – further reading

Arnold, D., 2002. Celtic music: a guide to the complete recorded history. Lanham, Md: Scarecrow Press.

Bunting, E., 1940. The ancient music of Ireland: one hundred airs for piano with words by Thomas Moore. London: OUP.

Folk songs of Britain, Ireland and America, 1967. London: Collins.

O’Neill, W., 1963 (reprint 2007). The dance music of Ireland: one thousand tunes, including words to most of the popular songs and dances; edited with stories of their origin and history by Terrence O’Neill. Whitefish MT: Kessinger Publishing.

The Irish Folk Music Revival – references

In the 1960s, a new generation of Irish musicians began to rediscover the traditional music of their country. This Irish folk music revival brought traditional Irish music back to popularity, both in Ireland and abroad.

One of the most famous groups to come out of the Irish folk music revival was The Clancy Brothers. The Clancy Brothers were an Irish folk group consisting of brothers Tom, Pat, and Liam Clancy. They were joined by their cousin, Paddy Clancy. The group became well-known in the United States after appearing on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1961.

The Clancys were not the only ones reviving traditional Irish music in the 1960s. Groups such as The Dubliners and Planxty also rose to prominence during this time. These groups brought Irish music to a new audience and helped to solidify its place in popular culture.

The Irish folk music revival of the 1960s was an important moment in the history of traditional Irish music. It led to a renewed interest in the music and helped to preserve it for future generations.