Junior Cert Irish Music Essays (Part D)

2015: Brief note on one: Sean ORiada, Bill Whelan, Turlough OCarolan, Sharon Shannon,
Denis Hempson or Bill Whelan
Write an note on a well known Irish traditional group of your choice
2014: Sean Ns Singing (2002) (Be able to name a performer and a song).
2013: Identify 4 different types of Irish Folk Songs and describe 1 song in detail. (She Moved
Through The Fair is your choice song. Use this not your set song!)
2012: Name 1 Collector and 1 Harper at the Belfast Harp Festival. (2009)
(Write on Edward Bunting and Denis Hempson not on Turlough OCarolan he was
dead!!)
2011: Name and describe a Traditional Performance of either a song or a dance.
(Timse Im Chodladh Zoe Conway, or Riverdance) (2004)
2010: Write on a Collector and the role of the Collector. (Edward Bunting)
2009: Write on the Harping Tradition and the Belfast Harp Festival of 1792.
2008: Write on 2 Irish instruments that play melody, 1 that plays rhythm only, 1 that plays
chords and 1 that plays melody and chords.
Melody Flute, Tin Whistle, Fiddle, Concertina
Rhythm Bodhrn, bones, spoon, snare drum (in Cili Band)
Chords Guitar
Melody and Chords harp, Uileann Pipes, Accordion, Piano (in Cil Band)
2007: Write on 2 Organisations that promote Irish Music.
(C.C.E., Gael Linn, G.A.A., Radio na Gaeltachta)
2006: Write on a String, a Woodwind and Percussion Instrument and name Performers.
2005: Write on 2 efforts to preserve Irish Music in the 20 th Century.
(Seamus Ennis collected music for BBC in 1951, The Fleadh, Riverdance)
2004: Write on a Solo or Group Performance and describe 3 musical features.
(Timse Im Chodladh Zoe Conway, Riverdance, The Corrs)
2003: Write on a Collector (Edward Bunting) or a Solo Performer (Zoe Conway / Michel O
Suilleabhin)
2002: Write on Sean Ns Singing and name a song

What hasnt come up yet???

Cili Band Tradition! (see overleaf)

The Cili Band

The first Cil took place in London organised by the Gaelic League. They spread to
Ireland in the 1950s and 1060s filling the dance halls of Ireland. Previously musicians

would meet at the crossroads / outdoors.

The 5 basic instruments in a typical Cil band are:
Fiddle, flute, accordion playing the melody
Piano or Keyboard playing the accompaniment (usually vamping playing chords not
melody)
Snare Drum sometimes with cymbals, or sometimes the drummer has a woodblock
attached to the drum kit that the player taps at the beginning of the piece to give the
beat to the other performers.
Quieter instruments are on the front of the stage so they can be heard above the
dancers feet.
The Kilfenora Cil Band from Co. Clare is one of Irelands most famous bands. It was
formed in 1909 by the parish priest of Kilfenora to help with fundraising in the parish. It
is Irelands oldest Cil band and is still going strong today. They won the All Ireland
Fleadh Cheoil in 1954, 1955 and 1956 and 3 titles again in 1993, 1994 and 1995. They
play in Ireland and tour all around the world performing on their own and also with
others. There are currently 10 members 3 fiddles, 2 flutes, 2 accordions (box), 1 Banjo
(John Lynch, who is their leader), 1 drum and 1 piano. They have recorded many

albums: They produced a special album in 2009 to mark their centenary (100 years).
Many of the tunes are learned by ear and many young musicians still learn this way
even today. Musicians learn from listening, watching, imitating and playing along with
others. Often teachers give the notes written as letters as a guideline and the students

learn in this way.

Bands often play for Cil dancing and cil dances are group dances which can be
learned quite quickly. The compere will often call out the steps and the more
experienced dancers will teach the others. Students learn to cil dance while at Irish

college / Gaeltacht.
Hundreds of young people take part in Fleadh Cheoil Na hEireann each year, in the
Cil band competitions.
Features of Cil Band Music:
Melody instruments play in unison
Vamping Piano
Snare Drum (not Bodhrn) Bodhrn too quiet to be heard
over dancers feet.
Count-in on Woodblock
Functional Music used for dancing (they will be playing an
Irish dance tune reel / jig etc.)