Learn the lingo – a quick guide to what's what
Reel, jig, waltz, hornpipe, polka: Common types of traditional dance.
Fiddle: An Irish violin.
Tin whistle: A very common, six-holed wind instrument, also simply called a whistle.
Lambeg drum: A huge, double-sided drum, usually carried.
Fife: A small, high-pitched flute.
Low whistle: A larger variation on the traditional tin whistle, with a lower pitch.
Squeeze box: Another name for an accordion or concertina.
Bodhrán: A bodhrán (bow-rawn) is a one-sided, handheld drum.
Uilleann pipes: Uilleann (ill-ann) pipes are powered by a set of bellows controlled by the musician’s elbow (uilleann). Uilleann piping has been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
Céilí: A céilí (kay-lee) is an event where people dance to traditional music, usually in pairs and groups.
Session/Seisiún: A seisiún (sesh-oon) is when a group of musicians play music together, usually in a casual setting.