The UK and Ireland are famed for their traditional music. Much more than just the sound, this music has been shaped by centuries of migration, resistance, and storytelling. If you’re visiting the UK and Ireland, you’ll find traditional music still resonating today, being played in local pubs, at festivals, and even in family homes in big cities and tiny islands alike. The beat of a bodhrán drum, the lyrics that tell an ancient fairytale, and the energy brought on by the fiddle are just some of the reasons why traditional music from these regions are still celebrated worldwide today. In this blog, we’ll delve into how traditional music provides a direct link to the culture and heritage of these lands and explore some of our favourite traditional music experiences that we recommend to our overseas visitors.
A Shared but Diverse Tradition
While the terms “folk” or “traditional” music are often used as blanket terms, traditional music across the UK and Ireland are anything but similar, with music from each region having its own stand out features. Irish music is known for its rhythmic energy and melodies, brought together by the use of the tin whistle, uilleann pipes, the bouzouki, and the fiddle. In Scotland, the music varies based on the region but in terms of Scotland’s soundtrack, the bagpipes stand out from the rest. If you venture to the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, you’ll find energetic ceilidh music powered by fiddles, flutes, and the accordion. Scottish and Irish music are often accompanied by ceilidh dancing. You will likely find a ceilidh happening locally wherever you visit in Scotland, but if you find yourself in Edinburgh The White Heather Ceilidh Club based at Bonnie & Wild runs a free event the last Thursday of every month.
England has a long ballad tradition, tied to the country’s rural and working-class history. These songs, including carols and sea shanties, often tell sombre tales of love, loss, and the lonely life of a sailor working at sea. They are usually backed up by instruments such as the hornpipe and the melodeon. Wales is known for its harp-based music, along with other traditional Welsh instruments including the pibgorn, the crwth, and the Welsh bagpipes.
The Role of Folklore
We’ve now determined the diversity of the UK and Ireland’s traditional music; however, there is something that music originating from each region has in common. Folk music is primarily an oral tradition, passed down through the years in the form of folklore, often with no written notation. This creates subtle differences in how a single tune might be played in different countries, or even by different musicians. Storytelling is central to traditional music. Ballads are often love stories, or stories of personal loss or political struggle, while shanties tell the tales of the working day and the lives of workers in certain industries. Perhaps the most compelling of all though are the songs that re-tell local folklore or well-known fairytales. These often include simple melodies and narrative verses, reflecting the specific dialects and slang of the areas. These songs are passed down through generations for centuries, with some of these stories still being re-told today, sometimes in their true form and sometimes subtly modernised.
Traditional Music Experiences in the UK & Ireland
At Best of Scotland Holidays, we have over 40 years of experience creating personalised itineraries for our guests visiting the UK and Ireland. We know that traditional music is something that interests our overseas visitors, so if you’re looking for experiences that offer far more than simply listening, one of our suppliers will be able to offer you an experience that allows you to fully engage with the history behind traditional music.
MacGregor’s Bar, Inverness
MacGregor’s Bar offers one of the most welcoming traditional music experiences in the Highlands. Founded by renowned Scottish musician Bruce MacGregor, the bar is not only known as a local bar and eatery, but also for its commitment to live folk music events. Live music here is much more than background entertainment; it’s a central part of the bar’s atmosphere where full audience participation is encouraged. Bruce himself hosts sessions every Sunday which showcase his dedication to promoting the best of Scottish folk music. MacGregor’s also host three unique experiences throughout the week. The Highland Malt Whisky Experience showcases the stories, songs, and history of the Highlands, while The Highlander Experience offers a shorter 90-minute afternoon show or a longer 3-hour evening show at their sister venue, Bogbain Farm. Finally, The City Centre Experience is a daytime show, taking place at MacGregor’s bar and allows visitors to find out more about Scottish history including why we wear the kilt and why bagpipes became our national instrument.
Belfast Trad Trail
The Belfast Traditional Music Trail is a guided walking tour through the city’s history Cathedral Quarter. Led by professional musicians, it offers visitors an introduction to Irish traditional music. Over 2 ½ hours, visitors will experience some of Belfast’s oldest pubs, watch live performances, and demonstrations of instruments such as the fiddle, tin whistle, and bodhrán drum, bringing the city’s lively musical heritage to life. This experience is much more than just a pub crawl; it’s a must for anyone wanting to experience the heart of Belfast through its music.
The White Heather Ceilidh Club, Edinburgh
The White Heather Ceilidh Club is a monthly event held at Bonnie & Wild’s Scottish Marketplace in Edinburgh’s St James Quarter. It takes place on the last Thursday of each month and is a free ceilidh that invites dancers of all skill levels to enjoy an evening of traditional Scottish country dancing and folk music. No prior experience is necessary as the band, the renowned Charlie Kirkpatrick Trio, will call out the steps throughout the evening. The event also features prizes for the best dancers and selection of traditional food and drink from the surrounding marketplace.
Trad on the Prom
For a truly unique and unforgettable theatre experience, look no further than Trad on the Prom, the premier Irish music and dance show held in Salthill, Galway. The show features world-class performers including renowned fiddler Máirín Fahy, and dancers from producers such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance. Trad on the Prom offers a one-of-a-kind immersive experience for audiences of all ages and nationalities that will be sure to leave you hooked on traditional Irish music.
These are just some of the suppliers we work with to recommend the best traditional music experiences in the UK and Ireland to our guests. Some honourable mentions go to Ghillie Dhu, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, and the Edinburgh Ceilidh Club. If you’d like to incorporate one or more of these experiences into your next visit to the UK and Ireland, then contact us today and one of our friendly team will be happy to help you.
Traditional music offers visitors a way to connect to a place that’s not touristy or scripted. These experiences are not viewed behind glass or staged for effect, they are authentic and unique to each region. The warmth of an intimate pub session or the energy of a ceilidh isn’t something that you can bottle up and sell. For many visitors, these are the moments that stay with them long after they’ve left the UK and Ireland, and something that will continue to draw them back time and time again.
