O'Brien Pocket History of Irish Traditional Music

by Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin

The history of Irish traditional music, song and dance from the mythological harp of the Dagda right up to Riverdance. Exploring an abundant spectrum of historical sources, music and folklore, this guide uncovers the contribution of the Normans to Irish dancing, the role of the music maker in Penal Ireland, as well as the popularity of dance tunes and set dancing from the end of the 18th century. It also follows the music of the Irish Diaspora from as far apart as Newfoundland and the music halls of vaudeville to the musical tapestry of Irish America today.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction

192 pages, Paperback

First published May 18, 1998

About the author

A leading authority on Irish culture and heritage, Dr Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin is a 5th generation Irish traditional musician, scholar and former member of the legendary Kilfenora Céilí Band. In the simpler days of childhood, master musicians would call to his family home in the West of Ireland, to share tunes and stories over bottomless cups of tea and his mother's famous brown bread. They were eye-witnesses to extraordinary political, religious and cultural changes throughout the country.

His long awaited book, 'Flowing Tides: History and Memory in an Irish Soundscape' (Oxford University Press, 2016) brings their stories to life and with Gearóid's signature style weaves them into the broader historical narratives of Irish life– connecting the small place to the big picture!

A man of many hats, Professor Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin is a five-time world champion Irish musician, ethnomusicologist and historian. With numerous recordings and publications to his credit, he specializes in the Irish diaspora to Canada and the United States. His 'Pocket History of Irish Traditional Music' (O'Brien Press, Dublin, 1998) has sold over 15,000 copies and continues to provide music enthusiasts with a compact overview of Irish music history.

Over the past 30 years, he has presented more than 1,000 concerts, lectures and workshops on four continents. Since 2009, he has held the bilingual Johnson Chair in Québec and Canadian Irish Studies at Concordia University (Montréal). He is also the former Jefferson Smurfit Chair of Irish Studies at the University of Missouri-St. Louis (2000-2009).

Visit him at www.DrGearoid.com
* Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin is pronounced 'Ga-RODE O-HAL-ver awn
* Author's name is frequently misspelled
Amazon Author page

Reviews

[Gille Liath · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is purely a social history of Irish music. There's nothing about the nature or meaning of the music, and it lacks the sense of love and involvement which is surely the only reason for having such a book. To the interested I recommend the books by Tomas O Canainn and Breandan Breathnach.

[Sarah Holton · Rating 4 out of 5]

packed full of good information. I am gonna need to borrow it from the library again so I can make note of all the names and look up their discography. but It was really interested seeing where all the little different elements come from. Would definitely love to own.

[Roger Woods · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting over view of the history of Irish traditional music. You need to learn Irish pronunciation to deal with some of the names!