When you’re stuck at home due to chronic illness, and a pandemic, and you’ve always wanted to travel, you learn how to travel the world online. It never ceases to amaze me the wealth of information that we have at our fingertips in 2020. In this post I share some of my favorite finds for Ireland, and Scotland.
Ireland
I have discovered music from around the world that I really enjoy. My first discovery was of Irish folk music. I discovered bodhrans; a type of drum. bouzuki’s; a stringed instrument related to a lute. And uilleann pipes which are kind of like bagpipes, but different. I enjoy listening to anything that Daoiri Farrell plays. Here’s a concert he played at The Shrewsbury Folk Fest in 2018. You’ll see all three of these instruments below.
I also discovered this band, Seo Linn, that sings in Irish Gaelic. It’s a powerful song. According to a comment by Kai Lewen: “This version of the song is about Gráinne Mhaol/Grace O’Malley, an Irish pirate queen who was imprisoned by the English after raiding their ships and faced hanging. This song is about her people welcoming her back after her return. It was used as a rebel song in the 20th century when the Irish people were fighting for independence from English rule.”
Scotland
Next, when I think of Scotland I naturally think of bagpipes and drums. However, I learned that there is such a thing as tribal Scottish music, and the band Clanadonia plays this tribal music. I was amused by the size of the drums.
No visit to Scotland would be complete without some bagpipe bands. I’ve gone to the Ligonier Highland Games in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, and it’s far more impressive in person. The sound reverberates off the hillsides, and thrums in your ears. I love it!
One of the most amazing competitions at a Scottish Highland Games event is the cabor toss. The men pick up what looks like a telephone pole, and try to flip it one time forwards. You can see this in action below.
Wrap Up of Online Travel
I have listened to a lot of Irish and Scottish music this year. It cheers me up every time I hear some. Especially reels and jigs, which are dance tunes.
I also discovered that immigrants from Ireland, and Scotland influenced the creation of country music in the United States, because they brought their songs, fiddles, and banjos with them.
Where in the world have you traveled to this year? I’d love to explore your favorites. Just share below!
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Till next time, stay safe! Kathy
that’s cool that you like Celtic music, too. do you have a favorite performer? What’s the name of the book?
I love celtic music, too and have a book on Grace O’Malley on the ‘to read list’! 😀