Urban Celt Blog — Stories, Culture & Style from the Heart of Ireland

The bodhrán is one of the most recognisable sounds in Irish traditional music, but its history might surprise you. From rural customs and Wren Boys to Seán Ó Riada and the great folk revival of the 1960s, we look at how a simple wooden frame and goatskin drum became a familiar part of Irish music sessions around the world.

From the United Irishmen of 1798 to the Easter Rising of 1916, Ireland's struggle for freedom has inspired generations of songs. Some were written by people who lived through the events, while others came years later, keeping old stories alive. We look at the history of Irish rebel songs, the people who wrote them and why they're still sung today.