World Bodhrán Championships 2006

The first ever World Bodhrán Championships are taking place in Milltown in Kerry next month. Known for its musical initiatives and unique traditional festivals, Milltown repeatedly offers great Irish traditional music, dance and song.

The local branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann (Ireland’s traditional culture organisation who visit Kansas City regularly) are launching the World Bodhrán Championships, an international event:

The festival will focus on the many aspects of the bodhrán – the making of the bodhrán, its history and role in Irish traditional music and of course, playing the bodhrán. As well as competitions to find the best bodhrán player in the world, other events planned include a bodhrán playing marathon and a bid to build the biggest bodhrán in the world

Bodhrán is pronounced bow (rhymes with cow, not ho) rawn (as in brawn). If you want to learn about the bodhrán have a look here and you might be surprised to find out that although a very old instrument it was only introduced into Irish traditional music in the 1960s, becoming popular in the 1970s.

Liam Ó Maonlaí from the Hothouse Flowers is performing with frontman from Kila Rónán Ó Snódaigh at the event, a rare treat