Music

Music is an integral part of the people in the Burren. Musicians from all around the world come to the Burren to play and learn more about the music of this area .The most common instruments played in the area are fiddle, flute, concertina, tin whistle  and the pipes.



FRANCIS FAHY

Francis Fahy was born in Kinvara in 1854. He is well known as a playwright and also as a composer and song writer. Amongst the songs he has written are 'Galway Bay', 'The Queen of Conamara' and 'The Tide Full In'.




CHRIS DRONEY

Chris Droney is from Bellharbour ,Co. Clare and  has been playing concertina for 79 years , following in the footsteps of  his father James and his grandfather Micheal . He started playing music at eight years of age . He learned to play without notes and he still learns tunes without notes. Long ago dances were regularly held in his house where he grew up and still  lives in.






PAT KEANE

Born in Aughinish Pat Keane was a well known singer and story teller. He sang humorous songs with great relish and he enjoyed telling stories and entertaining.


MICHO RUSSELL

Micho Russel lived in Doonagore near Doolin . He played tin whistle . He was Irelands best – known traditional musician in the later 20th century . His mother played concertina . Packie his brother played the concertina and his other brother Gussie played the wooden flute and tin whistle . His brothers played at house dances and weekly sessions.




Many other musicians have come to live  in the Burren area. These include:

EUGENE LAMBE

Eugene Lambe makes  and sells concert flutes and uillean pipes. He has been making wind instruments since 1970. He makes handmade keyless flutes and keyed flutes. Eugene makes practise set , half set and full set for the uillean pipes.



KATE THOMPSON

Kate Thompson is a fiddle player and also a fiddle maker in the Burren.She lives in Kinvara Co.Galway. She sells vintage and antique fiddles. Kate has traditional and classical fiddles. She sells violas and cellos. She has been selling and making fiddles since 2002.







Listen to Chris Droney performing with the Kilfenora Ceili Band