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Ceol na hÉireann / Irish Music, Volume 1, Issue 2, Page 8

Ceol na hÉireann / Irish Music, Volume 1, Issue 2, Page 8
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periodical Publisher
Na Píobairí Uilleann
periodical Editor
Chairman, NPU
periodical Title
Ceol na hÉireann / Irish Music
volume Number
1
issue Content
6 Ceol na h ireann Irish MusicIt has been suggested that when the staple diameter of a reed is enlargedthat the upper octave will sharpen. However, I have found that a larger staplediameter regulators, where one is concerned merely with low octav making TRADITION OF DONEGALACKNOWLEDGMENTSBACKGROUNDAcknowledgement for help during discussion withThe modern violin is considered to have been introduced to the musicalIan McKenzie community in Ireland during the seventeenth century. It is typically referred toCraig Fischer as the fiddle amongst traditional music enthusiasts. This name no doubt beliesBrian Howard its links with older bowed instruments used in Ireland. Accompanying the rapidAlain Froment growth in the popularity of the modern timber fiddle were attempts to buildCillian 0 Briain copies of the instrument. 1Dave Hegarty By the middle of the nineteenth century the fiddle was firmly established asSamus Mac Mathflna one of the most important, if not the prime, instruments for playing traditionalFinbar McLaughlin Irish music. During this period some members of itinerant craftsman familiesTed Anderson also comprised the most respected of fiddlers in Donegal. These familiesCohn Ross typically made a combined living as professional fiddlers and highly skilledHeinz Braun journeymen whitesmiths2 who also produced tin fiddles. Most noted amongstthese were brothers Alec and Mickey McConnell from Ardara as well as Michaeland the late (often Mici Mr, or An Dochartach Mr) Doherty and eventually his sonsJohnny Bourke Charlie, Hughie, Simon (Balhinamore), Mickey and John who based their workDan ODowd circuit around the southwest and central Donegal gaeltacht areas. The lastChris Langan. instrument maker from this family was Hughies son, the late Simon(Stranorlar) Doherty.The above players comprised some of the most talented fiddlers Donegal hasGeoff Wooff co. dare ever known. Their reputations as magnificent players are still commonly notedamongst current practitioners in the county. Based on field and commercialrecordings the fanie of John, Mickey and Simon (Balhinamore) Doherty hasspread much further.It is not certain when first attempts were made, but their intense familiaritywith the fiddle eventually led them to direct their whitesmithing talents toconstruct fiddles from tin plate. The results of their efforts are testimony to theirmasterful skills. Their instruments soon became noted among the musicalcommunity and tin fiddles were highly sought-after items. Their popularityeventually inspired non-craftsmen, though fiddlers all the same, to make similarinstruments. The latter usually had a significant knowledge of the fiddle
issue Number
2
page Number
8
periodical Author
[Various]
issue Publication Date
1994-01-01T00:00:00
allowedRoles
anonymous,guest,friend,member

Ceol na hÉireann / Irish Music, Volume 1, Issue 2

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