the things you bump into in the irish music rabbit hole.

[mactire]

3. Cheol agus craic - music and good times

I could suggest hundreds of songs to hear, especially since Irelands’ history is told so well in its music. The emotions run the gamut, from fun drinking songs, humourous and touching ones of romance, historical events, tributes to significant people, real and mythical, and so many with the theme of emigration. One of the most renowned in more recent years is “The Fields of Athenry” describing the plight of one trying to feed his family at the time of the ‘great hunger’. YouTube is a good source of various artists performing this beautiful sad song, and be sure to see the one of hundreds of folks gathered in the town of Athenry singing it together. It’s also chilling to hear the Irish fans singing it at a sporting event. Slainte