The Irish Times

The bodhrán: Ireland’s oldest instrument – or its newest?

When Cathy Jordan went on stage at this year’s TG4 Gradam Ceoil concert it was as amhránaí na bliana – singer of the year. But she closed the event accompanying herself on the bodhrán, so putting the ...
Irish Central

A guide to Ireland’s fascinating bodhrán drum

The bodhrán is one of Ireland's oldest traditional musical instruments. The bodhrán is the iconic Irish drum, one of a small select family of Celtic instruments that is stated to pre-date Christianity ...
The Irish Times

Beating Time: the Story of the Irish Bodhrán by Fintan Vallely – a forensic examination of a much-neglected instrument

Contrary to Seamus Ennis’ much-quoted admonition that the best way to play the bodhrán was with a penknife, this percussion instrument is a much-admired and prominent feature in many Irish traditional ...