World Music Spotlight: Celebration of Ireland!

Imagine rolling green hills and cloudy skies, or laughing, singing and sharing drinks at a cozy bar with close friends reminiscing of family, friends, history, politics, love and war. These images and ideas come to mind when we think of the Irish culture, but we can really experience this passionate people once we lend an ear to their music.

Music is more than just a form of entertainment; it paves the way for the expression of deep feelings and serves as a platform for establishing social, historical, and even political connections among artists and their listeners. If you were to visit the local pubs or attend a musical festival, you would most likely hear genres such as traditional Irish folk music, punk rock and the fusion of the two. Historically, the themes of love and war are commonly present in many of the lyrics written by Irish poets and songwriters. The stories behind the lyrics tell of the country's early battles, the struggles of human kind in the wake of war, and the importance and impact of love while expressing the raw human emotions tied into living life.

source: http://www.kilkennytradtrail.net/history-of-the-music/

When I was in Dublin I found many street musicians passionately singing on a corner. It is so inspiring to see individuals pursuing their passion and sharing their love of music with the public.

There's a great movie to watch about an Irish Singer/Songwriter playing on the streets in Dublin. The film tells the story of a street musician and a Czech immigrant during an eventful week as they write, rehearse and record songs that reveal their unique love story.

The song "Falling Slowly', won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 2007, which was performed in the movie "Once". You can click the link to hear the song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8mtXwtapX4

I highly recommend that you see the movie!