Irish Music Important to Saint Patrick's Day Celebration

 

Music and Rituals

As many of you have read my previous blog, I enjoy performing for many different events such as weddings, funerals, parties, orchestras, concerts, etc. Also, I expressed how I love Hawaiian music; however, I did not really mention how much I REALLY LOVE Celtic music. In fact, Celtic music was the first genre I ever learned on the harp, and my first harp teacher was originally from Ireland! :) Besides having Hawaiian heritage, I also have Irish ancestry from both sides of the family (My last name “Dunn” is an Irish name meaning “dark-skinned Irish man.”).

 One special holiday, “Saint Patrick’s Day” is celebrated every March 17^th by Irish and Irish Americans. For those who do not know, Saint Patrick was from Britain and born to Roman Catholic parents. Irish invaders took him and made him a slave in their country. After six years, he escaped and returned to Britain where he entered the clergy. He then decided to return to Ireland and spread the Gospel though out the country. For more information visit https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Patrick and https://www.history.com/news/st-patrick-slavery-pirate-kidnapping-real-facts#:~:text=Saint%20Patrick%20was%20an%20enslaved%20worker%20in%20Ireland,he%20almost%20died%20after%20his%20escape%20from%20slavery.

 

                                                           Saint Patrick 

Music is an important part of Irish life- especially in celebrations.  In 2019, my sister and I got to play Celtic music for a Saint Patrick’s Eve concert hosted by the American Harp Society of Greenville, SC. We performed several traditional Celtic tunes called “I heard the Voice” and “O’ Carolan’s Dream.” The music from Ireland is so unique in how it can sound so jolly and fast yet also melancholic and slow. These two melodies are melancholic and minor! The second tune was written by the most famous harper, turlough O'carolan. Even though blind, he had an incredible gift to compose so many Irish tunes. More on O'Carolan at https://www.britannica.com/biography/Turlough-OCarolan. 

Here is a video of my sister, Susan and I performing at the Lady of our Rosary Catholic Church of Greenville, South Carolina. I absolutely love the acoustics which remind me of an echoing Irish medieval castle. You will get to hear harp, violin, and pennywhistle (Irish flute).

Click on Link: https://www.facebook.com/100043403176909/videos/1351153408738620/ 

I enjoy going to Celtic concerts to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. For instance, my family and I enjoyed seeing Celtic Woman Celtic group when they came to Greenville, SC in 2019 and Georgia in 2022. (Both years my family and I saw them a couple days before Saint Patrick’s Day) One of my favorite songs they sing is titled “Danny Boy” which is commonly performed for various occasions such as funerals. 

 

 Susan and I played this song for our adopted grandfather’s, funeral. He always loved the tune because his name was “Dan.” Here is a video of us performing “Danny Boy.”

https://www.facebook.com/105017957623547/videos/967072316981387 

After meeting Celtic Women’s bagpiper, Johnny Hunt, Susan, and I kept up with him and became good friends with him. I thought I’d include some fun pictures of Celtic Women group.

                                                                          2019 in South Carolina 

                                                                  2022 in Georgia

                                                         Other photos of Johnny and Celtic Woman

                                               Johnny Hunt Playing Bagpipes at beginning of Amazing Grace

In addition to seeing Irish concerts, every year on Saint Patrick’s Day my sister and I enjoy performing for the Greenville, SC Irish Festival, “Return to the Green.” The festival musician coordinator, Marty Flynn heard us playing Celtic music at another event and said “it brought tears to his eyes because the music reminded him of home.” Since then he has asked us to be a part of the festival, and we are excited to play for it this year. Here is another video of us playing at the festival. https://www.facebook.com/105017957623547/videos/421089275231918 

                                                        Performing at "Return to the Green"

I want to thank you for reading my blog and hope you enjoyed it!