Glenelg Guitar Studio

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Many people don’t really know the story behind the Irish celebration of St Patrick’s Day and some of us know it only for green beer and tin whistles at the local Irish theme pub, but there is certainly more to it, both the history of St. Patrick himself and the tradition of Irish music.

“In Ireland, Saint Patrick’s Day, which is celebrated on the date of his death, was made an official Christian feast day in the early seventeenth century. The day commemorates Saint Patrick  and the arrival of Christianity in Ireland, as well as celebrating the heritage and culture  of the Irish in general. Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals, céilithe, and the wearing of green attire or shamrocks. Christians also attend church services, and the Lenten restrictions on eating and drinking alcohol are lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption.”

I started investigating the music of Ireland some time ago, when Irish students asked me to teach Irish music and I found a huge depth and range of compositions from jigs to haunting pieces for harp. Many pieces have been arranged for classical guitar and the O’Caloran’s Concerto is a fine example, and therefore my piece of Irish music celebration.

If you are Irish,of Irish heritage, or maybe a visitor to Ireland or lover of their music, I would welcome comments on your experiences with the music of Ireland.

Hope you like it.

Leigh