Celtic Music ReviewsCeltic MP3s Music Magazine is a free weekly Celtic music & mp3 magazine featuring free music downloads of Celtic, Scottish, Irish music from around the world. Subscribe for a chance to win free Celtic CDs. Don't just download. Ireland: Features and Facts
by Bridget Regan
Map and Location Island Location: Ireland is an island off western Europe in the Northern Atlantic Ocean. Ireland is a divided country, with independent governments. The Republic of Ireland (also called Ireland or Eire) occupies 5/6th of the island of Ireland Northern Ireland occupies 1/6th of the island and is a part of the United Kingdom. Capital(s) Republic of Ireland: Dublin. Northern Ireland: Belfast Official languages: English and Gaelic. Size: The Republic of Ireland covers 27,135 square miles (70,280 sq km).Population: The population of Ireland is about 3,689,000 (as of 2000). Climate: Ireland has a cool, often-cloudy climate. Flag of Ireland The Republic of Ireland's flag is tricolor, and is made of three equal-sized rectangles of orange, white, and green. The flag is twice as wide as it is tall. The green side is by the flagpole. This flag was first used in 1848. Colors in the flag represent the native population and religious beliefs in Ireland.Green: Signifies the native people of Ireland (most of whom are Roman Catholic). Orange: Represents the British supporters of William of Orange who settled in Northern Ireland in the 17th century (most of whom are Protestant). White: White occupies the center of the flag and signifies peace between these two groups of people. Irish Provinces: Commonly known as the Four Green Fields of Ireland. Irelands 4 provinces. Connacht is the north-western province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Galway, Mayo, Sligo, Leitrim and Roscommon. Leinster is the eastern province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Louth, Meath, Dublin, Wicklow, Wexford, Kilkenny, Carlow, Laois, Offaly, Kildare, Westmeath and Longford. Munster is the southernmost province of Ireland, comprising the counties of Claire, Cork, Kerry, Limerick, Tipperrary, and Waterford. Ulster forms one of the historical provinces of Ireland. Six of its Nine counties Antrim, Armagh, Derry, Down, Fermanagh, and Tyrone, are known together as Northern Ireland. Three counties Cavan, Donegal, and Monaghan, are part of the Republic of Ireland. Irish Identifiable: Claddagh: The Friendship, Lovea and Loyalty Symbol or Ireland The Claddagh design is said to originate from the Galway Area, and the Aran Islands. The Claddagh ring was originally worn by men, but later used as a Marriage Ring for Men and Women. The symbol is comprised of 2 hands, a heart and a crown.The hands symbolize the 2 parties involved. The heart is the seat of affection or love. And the crown perfection. So, a perfect union of love between 2 parties. Common word translations to the Claddagh are: Friendship (hands), Love (heart) and Loyalty (crown). Harp Emblem: Its Importance in Irish History The harp symbol has been recognized as the emblem of Ireland since the 13th century. It was officially adopted as Ireland's national symbol when the Irish Free State was created in 1922. The most famous Harp of Ireland is the Brian Boru harp which is located at the Trinity College in Dublin. The Boru harp is the oldest surviving Irish harp, and is the model used for the State emblem. Trinity Symbol: The Trinity Symbol is an ancient Celtic design. The Trinity emblem is an ancient symbol for a high spiritual dignity. In the Christian faith, it represents the Holy Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The Trinity symbol has been inscribed in stone, and also has been colored. Red for power, faith, language and sacrifice. Blue - represents faith and trust. Green -color of the plants and trees, suggests hope of life eternal. Celtic Cross: The Celtic Cross is possibly the best known symbol of Early Christianity in Ireland. The High Celtic Cross is a self contained monument, and are as high as 20 feet. They are generally made of sandstone, and their main characteristic feature is a circle connecting the arms. The rings around the high cross may have been a symbol of the cosmos, and at the center is the Crucificition of Christ. Or, the ring may have been a structural piece, to prevent the arms of the cross from snapping off. There are many decorations on the crosses many including scenes from the bible, while others feature animal Interlace, and scroll work. The crosses at Monasterboise and Cross of Scriptures, Clonmacnoise are good examples for the traditional Celtic Cross. Irish Famous: Brian Boru Harp Brian Boru (c. 940-1014) The last of the High King's to lift Ireland out of the ruins of the Norse Age. He rebuilt ruined churches, built others, he sent overseas to replace lost books and artifacts and all that he possibly could to heal the wounds of the past two centuries of Norse pillage. One of the symbols most associated with Irieand is the Brian Boru Harp. This Harp is now located in the Long room, at the Trinity College Library, in Dublin. The harp is the national symbol of Ireland. Short Irish History: Irelands Areas of Historical Interest: Interesting sites in Ireland include: Bru na Boinne (Newgrange), Boyne Valley, Ceide Fields, Clonmacnoise, Croagh Patrick, Dun Aengus, Glendalough, Hill of Tara, Lough Derg, Skellig Michael, Rock of Cashel. Bru na Boinne "Boyne Palace": Ireland's Stonehenge One of Ireland's most spectacular archaeological sites is located in the Boyne Valley in County Meath. Newgrange, Dowth and Knowth were built around the same time that Stonehenge was erected in England. These tombs were built around 3200 B.C., several centuries before the great pyramids of Egypt. The exact reason these sites were built is unknown, but one of their features, is that they may have been used as an ancient form of solar calendar. The Newgrange site was designed to catch the sun during the winter solstice (December 19-23), the rising sun shines thru a slit over the entrance, and lights up the burial chamber for 17 minutes. At Dowth, the light of the setting sun of the solstice illuminates one of the chambers. At Knowth, the rising sun of the spring and autumn equinoxes lights the eastern passage, while the setting sun may have caught the western passage those days. Clonmacnoise (Offaly) An early Christian monastic site founded by Saint Ciaran in the 6th century on the banks of the River Shannon at the crossroads of Ireland in County Offaly. The Clonmacnoise location borders the three provinces of Connaught, Munster and Leinster. The monastery is on the east side of the River Shannon, in what was then the Kingdom of Meath, but occupying a position so central it was the burial-place of many of the kings of Connaught as well as those of Tara. The site includes the ruins of a cathedral, eight churches (10th-13th century), two round towers, three high crosses and a large collection of early Christian grave slabs. The original high crosses and grave slabs are on display in the Visitor Centre. Hill of Tara (Meath) Though best known as the seat of the High Kings of Ireland. 142 kings are said to have reigned there in prehistoric and historic times. The Hill of Tara has been an important site since the late Stone Age when a passage-tomb was constructed there. Tara was at the height of its power as a political and religious centre in the early centuries after Christ. Features of the Hill of Tara include the Mound of the Hostages, the Stone of Destiny, and Ancient Standing Stones Rock of Cashel (Tipperary) This was the seat of kings and mediaeval bishops for 900 years and flourished until the early 17th century. A spectacular group of stone fort Medieval buildings set on an outcrop of limestone in the Golden Vale. Features include 12th century round tower, High Cross and Romanesque Chapel, 13th century Gothic cathedral, 15th century Castle and the restored Hall of the Vicars Choral. The original forbidding fortification of the Eoghanachta, kings of Munster. Brian Ború was crowned King of Munster here in 977 and he became High King of Ireland in 1002. He was the first high king to exact universal and effective tribute from the other kings of Ireland. Dun Aengus: Dún Aonghasa (Dun Aengus - Angus' Fort) The mysterious structure of Dun Aengus is situated on the western side of Inish Mór, one of the three Aran Islands (Oileáin Árainn), stone outcrops, in the Atlantic thirty miles (48 kms) west of Galway City. The islands, Inish Mór, Inishmann and Inisheer have some of Europe's finest examples of pre-historic and early Christian antiquities.Dun Aengus is a vast fortification perched on the summit of a hill that rises precipitously from the ocean to a height of 300 feet (100 meters). Half the site, consisting of three concentric enclosures, has fallen into the sea, but what is left makes a fascinating sight. The cliff edge at Cahercommoun in the Burren is Early Christian and Dún Aonghasa is believed to be much older. Dun Aengus has been estimated to have been built anywhere from 900BC to 500C. Glendalough (Wicklow) This early Christian monastic site was founded by St. Kevin in the 6th century. Set in a glaciated valley with two lakes, the monastic remains include a superb round tower, stone churches and decorated crosses.In the 6th centaury St. Kevin founded a monastery and from this grew a monastic city, which became famous as a centre of learning throughout Europe. The spectacular Round Tower in the Monastic City stands an impressive 34m high and 16m in circumference.The tower was originally built as a bell tower and a place of refuge when the monastery was attacked. There are many stone crosses and churches to see. As well as these magnificent remains, there is the breathtaking scenery of the valley to enjoy. Croagh Patrick (Mayo) Is a holy mountain in Ireland, located in south Mayo, 5 miles from Westport, and on Clew Bay. It is a conical mountain that is said to be the place where St. Patrick banished the snakes from Ireland. Today it is a pilgrimage spot, where visitors from all over the world. It is said that St. Patrick fasted for 40 days at the summit of the mountain. Croagh Patrick is also known as the "Reek", and on "Reek Sunday", the last Sunday in July, thousands come to follow the steps of Patrick. Today, a church sits on the top of the "Reek". It is said, that if you climb Croagh Patrick three times, you will have earned yourself a place in heaven. Bridget Regan: Student of Ireland and its beauty. Webmistress of http://celticdan.com Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Bridget_Regan Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Sunday, April 23, 2006. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. The Man Who Saved Celtic Music
by Joey Robichaux
Familiar with the name "Francis O'Neill"? The current wave of interest in Celtic music owes him a great debt -- he's the person who collected and published the music for thousands of Celtic tunes, making them available to musicians all over the world. O'Neill was born in 1848 in Ireland. When he was 16, he emigrated to the United States. During his life, he was a rancher, a teacher, a Chicago policeman, and fathered ten children. He also played the flute! O'Neill (also known as "Chief O'Neill") loved Celtic music. At that time, the music was passed down tune at a time from one musician to another. Little had been saved by transcribing in written form. O'Neill did not read music -- he played by ear -- but he became convinced of the value of saving Celtic tunes for prosperity by transcribing them into musical notation for future generations. With the help of a fiddling seargeant in the Chicago police department who did read music, he managed to do so. He would play the tunes he had learned from other musicians; the sergeant would transcribe them into musical notation. By the time O'Neill died in 1936, he had collected and transcribed nearly 3,500 tunes -- many of them dating back hundreds and hundreds of years! He eventually published eight books -- including the now classic "The Music of Ireland". This book is still easily available in most bookstores. This book alone provides notation for 1,850 tunes! (Note: You can find these transcriptions for free at http://www.freesheetmusic.net !) Noel Rice offers this comment that illustrates O'Neill's contribution: "He recalled reading about some boys who would sit at the feet of an old musician, thinking they were learning the music the way generations before them had. "And this old man," he said, "was playing these lovely Irish tunes right out of O'Neill's book." Joey Robichaux rides the Road Warrior circuit and has been playing some flavor of musical instrument for way-too-many years! He maintains the Free Sheet Music website at http://www.freesheetmusic.net where you can download free sheet music for thousands of tunes. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Sunday, April 23, 2006. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Saint Patrick Drove Out Serpents, Let Cats Stay
While planning for St. Patrick's Day is in high gear, few know that this patron St. of Ireland, shares his special day, March 17, with Saint Gertrude of Nivelles, the Patron Saint of Cats.
Legend tells us that St. Patrick raised his staff and mightily drove the serpents out of the Ireland. Medieval hagiography is silent, however, on the subject of the saint's interactions with the feline denizens of the Emerald Isle. Considering this shared holiday however, it seems safe to say that Saint Patrick was a cat lover. Believing this to be so (and also born on this highest of Irish holidays) Irish Musician Marc Gunn has recently released an album entitled IRISH DRINKING SONGS FOR CAT LOVERS. With songs such as WHEN KITTY EYES ARE SMILING and LORD OF THE POUNCE it seems that there is indeed a connection between the feline kind and the Irish. "It's the purrfect present for St. Patrick's Day," Gunn commented," and for Saint Gertrude's Day, too." As one reviewer has noted "If you know a cat lover, this may well be the best gift you can get for them, and they don't even have to be Irish to appreciate the songs. There is a certain understanding between people and their cats and it is brought forth here in all of its glory . . . the good, the bad and the hilarious!" Surely, Saint Patrick and Saint Gertrude would agree. That is the beauty of IRISH DRINKING SONGS FOR CAT LOVERS -- the songs are part of the patchwork of American music, a culture with deep Irish roots. Marc Gunn has extensive experience as not only a recording musician but as a veteran performer in renaissance fairs and fantasy festivals. The result is a clever collection of music that appeals to not only Irish and cat lovers, but anyone who appreciates a lyrical laugh. IRISH DRINKING SONGS FOR CAT LOVERS features guest performances by an impressive array of Irish Musicians in Austin, Texas. Participating musicians include Hannah Gunn and Cedric the Fiddler of the Bedlam Bards. Additional musicians include Chris Buckley, Sarah Dinan, Hamby, April Porter, Blake McCaig, and Franco Bordoni. Marc Gunn wrote all the lyrics to the classic songs. The CD retails for $14.97 (with a current promotion of 20% off multiple copy purchases). The CD can be purchased online at http://www.catdrinkingsongs.com Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, March 10, 2006. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. How to Listen to Irish Music Podcasts
It was funny. Today, I was listening to a Celtic radio program. I heard some music I thought was just terrible. Then I smiled. Because I know that if there's something you don't like in a podcast, you can fast forward to the next song. Podcasting is awesome!
There are a bunch of Celtic music podcasts springing up. Unfortunately, I noticed that the majority of the people downloading my podcast are doing so by hand. So I want to offer a wee bit o' Podcast Education. The great thing about podcasting is that you don't have to visit a website every day to download the latest podcast. Instead, you can subscribe using a podcatcher like iPodder or iTunes. It's simple too. In iPodder, Ctrl-N and then my RSS Feed into your podcast. Here's the feed: http://www.celticmp3s.com/podcast.xml In iTunes, click Advance > Subscribe to Podcast. Then copy the RSS Feed into the dialog box. I should add that both of those programs are absolutely free. So make your life a little easier and subscribe to the podcast. More Celtic Podcast: · Irish & Celtic Music Podcast · Celtic Music News Podcast · Irish Music Podcast · Pub Songs Podcast · A Brobdingnagian Minute · Renaissance Festival Podcast Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, August 29, 2005. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Convert Your Band's CD into MP3s
Are you a musician?
Don't know how to make MP3s? Would you like someone to do it for you? It's fact of life. Many Celtic and folk musicians are not very internet savvy. Yet you are anxious to promote yourself online. You would LOVE to submit your band for a Celtic MP3 feature, but don't have MP3s to do it. Well, I'm here to help. I would love to take every CD someone mails to me and make MP3s for you, but I don't have that much time. So instead, I decided to offer this service to bands in need. You send me your CD. I will
So if you want to join the MP3 revolution and increase your CD sales in the process, then contact me today! You can also learn how Convert Your CD into MP3s yourself from Garageband, or from MP3DownloadHQ. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, May 12, 2005. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Celtic Jewelry - A Beautiful Mystery Unraveled
Celtic jewelry like the Celts themselves has a rich history and a proud tradition. Immensely beautiful with intricate Celtic symbols and delicate designs, Celtic cross jewelry, Celtic knot jewelry, and beautiful Claddaugh rings have been admired and desired for thousands of years.
Celtic Cross JewelryOne of the most enduring, and coveted "gifts" of Celtic culture is jewelry featuring the Celtic Cross. According to Irish legend, St. Patrick created the first Celtic cross by drawing a circle over a Latin cross.For an Irish Catholic, the circle in the Celtic cross may be a symbol of eternity and the endlessness of God's love. It can even represent a halo emanating from Christ. Some say the four "arms" of the Celtic Cross represent the elements (fire, earth, air, and water). Others believe the cross denotes the four directions of the compass, and still others feel it is a representation of human existence - mind, body, soul and heart. Celtic Knots The most distinguishing characteristic of Celtic knots is their intricate patterns and design... and the debate as to the meaning of those designs. While it is unquestionable that many of the ancient designs had some significance, those meanings changed from tribe to tribe and location to location. Many believe that the intricate looping in knots was a way to keep out evil spirits. It is also generally accepted that the looping Celtic knot design denotes eternity and interconnectedness. Still, there is no definitive guide as to the meaning of Celtic knots which, adds, perhaps to their mystery and appeal. Claddagh Rings Named for the town of Claddagh near Galway in which they are said to have originated, Claddagh rings are beloved Celtic symbols of Irish culture and sentiment. Unlike other Celtic symbols, the meaning behind the Claddagh ring is well-documented. The Claddagh design has a heart (symbolizing love) topped by a crown (symbolizing loyalty) held in two hands (signifying friendship). The phrase that is usually associated with the giving of a Claddagh ring is "Let love and friendship reign." It's not surprise that the Claddagh is a popular marriage band. In Celtic times, it was worn on the right hand with the heart turned outward to show that the wearer is unattached or with the heart turned inward to show he/she was "spoken for." If the Claddagh ring is worn on the left hand with the heart turned inward, it shows that two loves have been joined in marriage. Celtic Then and Now At one time, Celtic people could be found throughout Eastern and Central Europe, as well as in the British Isles, where the earliest examples of Celtic jewelry originate. The emergence of the powerful Roman Empire encroached on the lifestyle, traditions, and homeland of the Celts who were forced to move to abandon their homes and relocate in remote areas in Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and Cornwall in southern England. Despite their hardships at the hands of the Romans, Celts endured, thrived...and continued to produce Celtic jewelry. The tradition has remained strong for centuries. Irish Celtic jewelry and Scottish Celtic jewelry have enjoyed a huge resurgence in their homelands and with "ex-pats" around the world, as people seek to rediscover and celebrate their cultural traditions. The Authors of the above Article, Sam and Tami Serio have been passionately involved with Jewelry and Gemstones for over fifteen-years. You are cordially invited to visit MorningLightJewelry.com for a wealth of information about the fascinating world of Jewelry and Gemstones. Article Source: EzineArticles.com Editor's Note: If you are in need of custom Celtic Knotwork, talk to GrayWolf crafts. For free Celtic wedding music or an inexpensive Celtic Wedding CD, visit the link. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, March 31, 2005. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Temple Records
The Temple Records website gives you access to the best in Scottish Traditional Music, plus a little bit of Irish Music for good measure.
Here at Temple, we have some of the best Scottish Traditional harp, bagpipe and fiddle music plus gaelic song, singer/songwriters like Pat Kilbride and not forgetting Battlefield Band. From artists like Alison Kinnaird, Ann Heymann, Marie Ni Chathasaigh, Bill Taylor, Dr. Angus MacDonald, John D. Burgess, Shotts & Dkyehead, Christine Primrose, Arthur Cormack, Flora MacNeil, Brian McNeill, John McCusker, Alan Reid, Jim Hunter, Peter Nardini ... to name but a few. Temple Records also offers some free mp3 downloads from each album! Visit Temple Records for more information. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, March 23, 2005. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. The Irish Harp
The harp that once through Tara's halls the soul of music shed, now hangs as mute on Tara's walls, as if that soul were fled. So sleeps the pride of former days, so glory's thrill is o'er, and hearts that once beat high for praise, now feel that pulse no more
To tell the history of the Irish harp is to tell the history of the Irish people. This ancient folk instrument with its beautiful, delicate sound is played today despite being ignored, derided and proscribed for centuries. Harpers, who in earlier days would have been hanged for their art, now flourish throughout the world, as do the Irish themselves Legend tell us the first harp was owned by Dagda, a chief among the Tuatha De Danaan. At one time during a war with the Fomorians, the gods of cold and darkness, his harp was stolen but later recovered by Lugh and Ogma. When it was returned it had aquired two secret names and the ability to call forth summer and winter. From then on, when Dagda played, he could produce a melody so poignant, it would make his audience weep, he could play an air so jubilant it would make everyone smile, or bring forth a sound so tranquil, it would lull all who listened to sleep. So thus did the harp became the dispenser of Sorrow, Gladness and Rest. Harps are played throughout much of the world. From ancient artworks, epic tales and poetry, we learn of harps in Babylonia and Mesopotamia. We see them in the tomb of Pharaoh Ramses III , votive carvings from Iraq and sculptures of ancient Greece. From Africa, which has more than 100 harp traditions, the instrument travelled north to Spain and soon spread throughout Europe. Strung with sinew, silk or wire, harps vary in size, structure and decoration according to the physical and technological environments of their origins. African harps have been made from wood and gourd covered with cowhide, the Burmese sang auk has an arched soundbox similar to the Turkish ceng while European harps feature a triangular frame, There is one feature that all harps share: the strings run vertical (rather than parallel) to the sound box. Griffith of Wales employed harpists in his court at the end of the 11th century and the monk-historian Geraldus Cambrensis admired the great skill of the Irish harpers and remarked that some even considered the Scots to be better players. For Irish and Scottish harpers commonly visited each other’s countries to study, to learn and exchange tunes and their music was admired throughout Europe. Another twelfth century archivist, John of Salisbury, wrote that " ... had it not been for the Irish harp, there would have been no music at all on the Crusades." These harps were quite different from the large pedal harps we see in modern symphony orchestras. They were much smaller, originally held on the harper's lap, leaning against the left shoulder, had no pedals, and usually were carved in one piece from bog wood. The Trinity College Harp and Queen Mary's Harp are the oldest surviving Celtic harps and both date from the 15th or 16th centuries and illustrate the similarity between the Irish and Scottish harps. A distinguishing characteristic of these Gaelic harps was that they were wire-strung, rather than gut strung. The word "harp" has its roots in the Anglo-Saxon, Old German and Old Norse words which mean "to pluck." In Gaelic they were known first as cruit and later as clarsach or cláirseach. The harp isn't peculiar to Ireland but subsequently became its national emblem. (Nowadays you can even see it on the Guiness label) Harpers were highly trained professionals who performed for the nobility and enjoyed political power - so much so that during the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I issued a proclamation to hang Irish harpists and destroy their instruments to prevent insurrection. Sadly, while this oldest emblem of Ireland is still with us today most of the ancient airs and melodies it once produced are long gone, but younger harpers are taking up the challenge to reawaken the pride of former days. Susanna Duffy is a Civil Celebrant, grief counsellor and mythologist. She creates ceremonies and Rites of Passage for individual and civic functions, and specialises in Croning and other celebrations for women. Article Source: EzineArticles.com If you're looking for Irish Harp Wedding Music, click the link. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, January 26, 2005. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Paid Irish Music CD Reviews
The Celtic MP3s Music Magazine is seeking CD reviews of Irish, Scottish, Breton, Galacian, Nova Scotian Celtic CDs.
Compensation: $15 per published review, paid monthly. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, January 10, 2005. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Halloween Traditions of Ireland
The Celts celebrated Halloween as Samhain, 'All Hallowtide' - the 'Feast of the Dead', when the dead revisited the mortal world. The celebration marked the end of Summer and the start of the Winter months.
During the eighth century the Catholic Church designated the first day of November as 'All Saints Day ('All Hallows') - a day of commemoration for those Saints that did not have a specific day of remembrance. The night before was known as 'All Hallows Eve' which, over time, became known as Halloween. Here are the most notable Irish Halloween Traditions: Colcannon for Dinner: Boiled Potato, Curly Kale (a cabbage) and raw Onions are provided as the traditional Irish Halloween dinner. Clean coins are wrapped in baking paper and placed in the potato for children to find and keep. The Barnbrack Cake: The traditional Halloween cake in Ireland is the barnbrack which is a fruit bread. Each member of the family gets a slice. Great interest is taken in the outcome as there is a piece of rag, a coin and a ring in each cake. If you get the rag then your financial future is doubtful. If you get the coin then you can look forward to a prosperous year. Getting the ring is a sure sign ofimpending romance or continued happiness. The Ivy Leaf: Each member of the family places a perfect ivy leaf into a cup of water and it is then left undisturbed overnight. If, in the morning, a leaf is still perfect and has not developed any spots then the person who placed the leaf in the cup can be sure of 12 months health until the following Halloween. If not..... The Pumpkin: Carving Pumpkins dates back to the eighteenth century and to an Irish blacksmith named Jack who colluded with the Devil and was denied entry to Heaven. He was condemned to wander the earth but asked the Devil for some light. He was given a burning coal ember which he placed inside a turnip that he had gouged out. The tradition of Jack O'Lanterns was born - the bearer being the wandering blacksmith - a damned soul. Villagers in Ireland hoped that the lantern in their window would keep the wanderer away. When the Irish emigrated in millions to America there was not a great supply of turnips so pumpkins were used instead. Halloween Costumes: On Halloween night children would dress up in scary costumes and go house to house. 'Help the Halloween Party' and 'Trick or Treat' were the cries to be heard at each door. This tradition of wearing costumes also dates back to Celtic times. On the special night when the living and the dead were at their closest the Celtic Druids would dress up in elaborate costumes to disguise themselves as spirits and devils in case they encountered other devils and spirits during the night. By disguising they hoped that they would be able to avoid being carried away at the end of the night. This explains why witches, goblins and ghosts remain the most popular choices for the costumes. Snap Apple: After the visits to the neighbours the Halloween games begin, the most popular of which is Snap Apple. An apple is suspended from a string and children are blindfolded. The first child to get a decent bite of the apple gets to keep their prize. The same game can be played by placing apples in a basin of water and trying to get a grip on the apple without too much mess! The Bonfire: The Halloween bonfire is a tradition to encourage dreams of who your future husband or wife is going to be. The idea was to drop a cutting of your hair into the burning embers and then dream of you future loved one. Halloween was one of the Celt 'fire' celebrations. Blind Date: Blindfolded local girls would go out into the fields and pull up the first cabbage they could find. If their cabbage had a substantial amount of earth attached to the roots then there future loved one would have money. Eating the cabbage would reveal the nature of their future husband - bitter or sweet! Another way of finding your future spouse is to peel an apple in one go. If done successfully the single apple peel could be dropped on the floor to reveal the initials of the future-intended. Anti-Fairy Measures: Fairies and goblins try to collect as many souls as they can at Halloween but if they met a person who threw the dust from under their feet at the Fairy then they would be obliged to release any souls that they held captive. Holy water was sometimes anointed on farm animals to keep them safe during the night. If the animals were showing signs of ill health on All Hallows Eve then they would be spat on to try to ward off any evil spirits. Happy Halloween from Ireland! Irish Halloween Traditions - An article provided by The Information about Ireland Site. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, October 06, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Celtic Harp Wedding Music
Looking for Celtic Harp Wedding Music for your celebration. Here are four CDs you might want to consider. Each touches a beautiful aspect of the Celtic music:
Haste To The Wedding  by Anne RoosAnne Roos performs Celtic music on the Celtic harp with accompanying instruments. The tracks flow in the order that music flows at a wedding. Ideal for future brides and lovers of Celtic music alike. This unique CD was recorded live in a church, without overdubbing, to give the feeling of a live ensemble performing at a wedding.  Vow: An Irish Wedding Celebration by Aine MinogueThis is a beautiful CD of traditional Irish wedding ceremony music. The music is very well-produced with a beautiful modern new age sound that could be likened to Enya playing irish wedding music. The vocals are exquisite. The performance is fantastic .The music is beautiful and enrapturing. All in all, this is just a great CD and well worth the experience.  Princess of Flowers by Margaret DavisThe instrument Margaret performs on, the Celtic Harp, is based on the traditional British Isles instrument that predates the modern concert harp. Of Scottish heritage herself, Margaret has created a repertoire of traditional music from Ireland, Scotland, and England, as well as Medieval and Renaissance music from England, France, and Germany. Find out more about her Celtic Harp Wedding Music on her website. A Celtic Renaissance Wedding  by Brobdingnagian BardsNo, it's not actually harp music. Instead, there's an autoharp. However, this CD is a beautiful and mesmerizing album of romantic Celtic wedding music. In addition to being one of the band's best-selling albums, it also receives high-marks from wedding couples worldwide. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, August 20, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Techno Bagpipe Music
When I got Mark Saul's CD, Mixolydian in the mail, I didn't jump to listen to it. I saw something about progressive bagpipes, and it didn't really appeal to me. But last week, I was cleaning my house when I thought I should give it a try. I figured bagpipe music would be good for sparking a wee bit o'energy.
Whoa! Was I surprised. Mark Saul doesn't do a "wee bit", he goes all the way. I've heard techno bagpipe music before. It's usually done by some Celtic band that's trying to sound cool. Rarely is it by someone who KNOWS how to write electronic music. Mark does a brilliant job opening it up with a beautiful "E minor Theme" that also closes the album. Then he merges electric guitar with bagpipes, fiddle, banjo, and all behind some thumping, techno drum loops creating an electro dance CD with tasty bagpipe goodness. Each track shines with it's own spark of brilliance. To quote track 3, "Forget the Golden Rules" or rather, the rules in general. Mixolydian might not have you doing traditional Scottish dance, but the next time you go to a night club, you'll be begging the DJ to spin some bagpipes! Find out more about Mark Saul and his techno bagpipe music on his website. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Monday, July 26, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Irish Song Lyrics and Celtic Music Inspiration
I've started putting together a new website of Irish Songs & Lyrics starting with they lyrics from my Celtic Lyrics - Scottish & Irish Folk Songs directory from The Bards website.
I can't help but to snicker a wee bit. Here I'm listening to The Corries and being swamped with inspiration. Since I first started my Celtic Lyrics Directory, I've wanted to make a huge site filled with Scottish and Irish songs and lyrics and streaming MP3 audio tracks so people could listen and learn. Course, it'd also serve to help sell our Celtic folk CDs, but mostly, I just want to have THE site that people swarm to for those Scotch-Irish lyrics. Alas, there's just not enough time in the day. And I have too many projects under my belt to spend that much time with it. But as I listen to The Corries, I can't help but to feel that neurotic drive to race home and start recording song after song of lyrics. Hundreds upon hundreds of great folk songs. The definitive site out there. Ah well... Mayhaps next year when Celtic music is my full-time career, I'll make it happen. Shoot, sadly, even my Free MP3 Music Download of the Month has suffered due to laziness, fatigue, and depression. But new stuff is coming soon. After all, we're currently mixing a new live CD of mostly Irish songs along with a bunch of filk. And then there's the Scottish CD coming soon. So who knows. Mayhaps one day, I'll achieve my goal. It's a slow process, but as long as I keep listening to The Corries, The Dubliners, and all of those great Celtic folk singers, the inspiration will keep coming back. originally posted as Irish Song Lyrics and Folk Music Inspiration Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Wednesday, July 21, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Autoharp Joins the List of Celtic Music Instruments
Fans of this Celtic music magazine are probably familiar with a strange sound coming from my band, the Brobdingnagian Bards--the autoharp. It was invented in the late 1800s (see The True History of the Autoharp) and it's no stranger to Celtic music.
The autoharp is a triangular-shaped stringed instrument that became popular in the early part of the 20th century. It's simple design and fairly quite sound made it popular with folk singers, including The Carter Family in the 40s and gained a resurgence during the Folk Revival of th 60s where Janis Joplin and Lovin Spoonful took the instrument to new levels. But it wasn't until the 70s when Bryan Bowers came along that the autoharp world was torn open and autoharpist invaded the Celtic music world. Sure, you've heard of the bouzouki, banjo, and guitar in Celtic music. They are all fairly popular imports, but the autoharp is still relatively unheard of... well, maybe not as much as you'd think anyways. I've done my best to show how it's a magnificent instrument with Scottish & Irish folk songs, but quite honestly, I don't begin to compare to some autoharper's out there who are performing Irish reels and jigs at full-speed. So I've compiled a list of autoharp CDs below that feature a variety of Celtic autoharp music. Celtic Music and the Autoharp: Mike Herr / Carolos Plumley: Gander in the Pratie Hole and Hawthorn This incredible duo combine autoharp and fiddle in a magical way, and let me tell you, the fiddle is not always the lead instrument as they knock through dozens of popular reels, jigs, and aires. Bryan Bowers: Home, Home on the Road While this album is mostly a folk album, it shows the early beginnings of Bryan Bower's five finger autoharp style tackling "Flowers of Edinburgh". I also point out this album because if you've ever heard "The Scotsman" on the radio, you probably heard Bryan Bowers. Bryan is the man who popularized Mike Cross' hilarious song about a drunken Scotsman and a blue ribbon. Karen Mueller: Autoharp Gourmet, Still Point, and Clarity Karen Mueller is the leading authority on the Celtic autoharp. So much so, she even published a book called, Celtic Autoharp where you can learn how she makes her fingers dance around the strings in order to play Celtic tunes fast. Absolutely essential for anyone interested in learning to play Celtic music on the autoharp, or for anyone who's just wanting to play autoharp music better. Autoharp Legacy If you really want to try a sampling of great autoharp music all around, then check out Autoharp Legacy. This non-profit CD set was produced in party by Bryan Bowers. It features over 50 of the greatest autoharpers worldwide. It's goal? To share autoharp music with the world. That's why you'll find it is a 3-CD set with over SIXTY songs and tunes. The styles range from folk songs, old-time country ballads, bluegrass fiddle tunes, Irish jigs, and Swedish dance tunes, to jazz standards, gospel, blues, or Latin-flavored favorites. This is a brilliant album for any autoharp enthusiasts or anyone wanting to learn more about the autoharp. If you're interested in other Celtic autoharp CDs, I've compiled a collection of CDs by contemporary autoharpists. To find out which actually perform Celtic music or a derivative, you can search through the list or just ask. I'll be happy to make some more great recommendations. Oh! Someone asked me recently. "Are there any contemporary Celtic music groups that have an autoharp?" While I haven't seen anyone use the autoharp quite like I mentioned above, probably the coolest band I've seen was The Pogues on Rum, Sodom, & the Lash. Check out "Wild Cats of Kilkenny" as one fun example. And keep your ears open. The autoharp pops up all over the place when you least expect it. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Thursday, July 08, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Six Great Celtic Rock Songs, free music downloads
1. " Amazing Grace " by The Rogues
The Rogues are the Nations Premiere Pipe and Drum quartet and have earned several Grammy nominations for their incredible albums. Buy CD "Made In Texas" 2. "Toss The Feathers / The Battle Of Auchrim " by Green Man Green Man delivers traditional and contemporary Irish / Scottish/ Appalachian music, with a twist. Blending these works with techno beats, sequencers, bass and drum loops, Eastern percussion/ intervals, lush three-part harmonies, and heavy rock guitars -- the band also incorporates more traditional instrumentation such as wooden/silver flutes, tin whistle, accordion, acoustic guitar, cittern, and sitar. The result is a unique sound that is smart, fresh and exciting -- while honoring the timeless depth and beauty of traditional Celtic music. Buy CD "Green Man" 3. " ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS" by Wicked Tinkers WICKED TINKERS perform the kind of music you might have heard hundreds of years ago at a Scottish wedding, ceilidh, or around the campfire of a Highland raiding party. Since 1995 they've brought their vitality and humor to stages across America. They have been blending the emotion and power of the Great Highland Bagpipe with the pounding of raw tribal rhythms for over seven years and have recently added the haunting sound of the Bronze-Age Celtic Horn - a sound lost for over a millennium. They play the music of the Scottish Highlands, spicing it with the Celtic tunes of Ireland and the many lands graced by the Gaelic people. Touring the U.S. for most of the year, WICKED TINKERS has made friends and fans of folks from all over the world. Buy CD "Banger for Breakfast " 4. " End of the World " by The Willow Band Fresh & engaging Celtic music, beautifully played by some of the top musicians on the scene... Here are three musicians who encompass a great variety of music in the Celtic genre: a competition piper (Highland pipes, border pipes, bombarde, flutes, whistles), a top-notch fiddle player (in the Irish and Cape Breton traditions), and a virtuoso guitar player (6 string, 12 string, slide, ukulele, mandola) who has also written some of the best-loved songs in the contemporary Irish scene. Great music, engaging personalities, and an entirely fun show. Buy CD "The Willow" 5. " The Butterfly " by The Irish Experience The Irish Experience is a Blarney Phoenix, that rises up on Saint Patrick's Eve and brings bountiful cheer to all the little people at heart. The Irish Experience is a festive force, an insatiable "jig". The Irish Experience is renewed vigor. They perform Celtic and Appalachian music on traditional and electric instruments. Buy CD "The Irish Experience" 6. " Moreton Bay " by The Volunteers South Florida's only original Celtic rock band. In their electric rock'n'roll stage-show, they are a full-throttle, guitar-driven, runaway locomotive. As Miami's New Times has put it: "From their first bottle-rattling gig at Churchill's, it's been no secret that the Vols are a great party band ... Put this crew and free-flowing alcohol in a club setting and you never know what will happen next ... This is a band capable of raising the roof in the best Celtic tradition." Buy CD "The Volunteers" More Celtic rock songs can be found on The Secret World of Celtic Rock compilation CD. Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Saturday, July 03, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards. Bagpipe Music, Free Music Downloads
"Amazing Grace " by The Rogues
The Rogues are the Nations Premiere Pipe and Drum quartet and have earned several Grammy nominations for their incredible albums. Buy CD "Made In Texas" "ATHOLL HIGHLANDERS" by Wicked Tinkers WICKED TINKERS perform the kind of music you might have heard hundreds of years ago at a Scottish wedding, ceilidh, or around the campfire of a Highland raiding party. Since 1995 they've brought their vitality and humor to stages across America. They have been blending the emotion and power of the Great Highland Bagpipe with the pounding of raw tribal rhythms for over seven years and have recently added the haunting sound of the Bronze-Age Celtic Horn - a sound lost for over a millennium. They play the music of the Scottish Highlands, spicing it with the Celtic tunes of Ireland and the many lands graced by the Gaelic people. Touring the U.S. for most of the year, WICKED TINKERS has made friends and fans of folks from all over the world. Buy CD "Banger for Breakfast" "End of the World " by E.J. Jones Fresh & engaging Celtic music, beautifully played by some of the top musicians on the scene... Here are three musicians who encompass a great variety of music in the Celtic genre: a competition piper (Highland pipes, border pipes, bombarde, flutes, whistles), a top-notch fiddle player (in the Irish and Cape Breton traditions), and a virtuoso guitar player (6 string, 12 string, slide, ukulele, mandola) who has also written some of the best-loved songs in the contemporary Irish scene. Great music, engaging personalities, and an entirely fun show. Buy CD "The Willow" Labels: articles
--posted by Marc Gunn, Friday, July 02, 2004. Find Celtic Free Music Downloads from the Brobdingnagian Bards.
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