On their first activity evening of 2013 the Friends of Rossendale Museum were entertained to a feast of Irish Music. The evening, entitled “Irish Folk Music – a Fascinating Hobby” was presented by Stephen Davenport and colleagues from the Haslingden seisiúin.
Stephen spoke about the origins of music in Ireland and the work done by Captain Francis O’Neill who has preserved, published and fostered Irish folk music. Although much of Irish folk music early history has been lost it is established that the Irish harp was a popular instrument many hundreds of years ago and an example of a 14th century Irish harp is currently preserved in at Dublin’s’ Trinity College.
The influence of other nations such as America and Czechoslovakia on early Irish music was explained as also was the love of playing, singing and dancing in Ireland to a variety of styles and types of music.
Different examples of musical styles and their origins such as polkas, reels and jigs were introduced and these were very ably demonstrated by the Haslingden seisiúin, their music interspersing Stephen’s presentation. Nine other members of the seisiúin playing guitars, pipes, fiddle and bodhrans, and singing provided interesting, informative and enjoyable music for the evening.
Anyone interested in Irish music, whether a musician or not, is always welcome to join the Haslingden seisiúin which meets every Wednesday evening at the Irish Democratic League in Haslingden.
The next open meeting of the Friends “Community First Responders” will be on the evening of 28th. March at the Museum in Whitaker Park
