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Researcher: Brian Casley
Contact: [email protected]
Supervisory team : Dr Eibhlís Farrell and Dr Daithí Kearney
Musical developments in Ireland including instrumentation in Irish traditional music, the development of urban contexts for the tradition, and the distinction between the terms ‘folk’ and ‘traditional’ are also investigated in order to contextualize the emergence of the mandolin as an instrument in the Irish music tradition in the latter half of the twentieth century.
Other areas of research include: •Diversification of instrumentation in Musical Traditions•Changing Musical Contexts and Spaces for Music•Impact of Recording and Technology on Irish Traditional Music•The Urban Folk Revival in Ireland•Ensemble Performance Styles from the 1970s•Influence of Others Genres and Traditions
This research critically examines the emergence and use of the mandolin in Irish traditional music. The research is informed by an examination of a variety of social-cultural and musical factors that shape the potential for the integration of the mandolin into the Irish music traditions. The development of the mandolin as an instrument, the music associated with it in Europe from the seventeenth century, through a period of popularity in the nineteenth century, and its eventual adoption into bluegrass music in the twentieth century are critically examined. As with many other instruments, the successful development of the mandolin and its integration in to Irish traditional music is largely dependent on the innovations and recordings of a small number of seminal musicians.
Through exploring the development of mandolin playing styles in the latter half of the twentieth century, this research presents the first ever appraisal of mandolin players in Irish traditional music. It contends that all of the musicians examined, by their musical actions and choices successfully indigenised the mandolin into Irish traditional music and showed that it was possible for the mandolin to function within the aesthetics of the tradition. For many, the mandolin was the instrument that allowed them engage with and become involved in the world of Irish traditional music.
Emerging Themes
Supported by the DkIT Postgraduate Scholarship Scheme
Barney McKenna (1939-2012)Andy Irvine (b. 1942)Mick Moloney (b. 1944)Dave Richardson (b. 1948)Paul Kelly (b. 1957)Brian McDonagh (b. 1959)
A number of different methods were employed for this study including: •Historical Sources •Studies on Irish traditional instruments.•Field work •Interviews with seminal mandolin players•Analysis of commercial recordings
