Irish Music Words: Ceol, Amhrán, Damhsa and Seisiún

Irish traditional music is famous worldwide, and its vocabulary is part of the language's living culture.

Music words

English	Irish
music	ceol
song	amhrán
dance	damhsa
musician	ceoltóir
singer	amhránaí
tune	port
concert	ceolchoirm

Instruments

English	Irish
fiddle	fidil
harp	cláirseach
tin whistle	feadóg stáin
uilleann pipes	píobaí uilleann
frame drum	bodhrán
accordion	bosca ceoil

The bodhrán is a hand-held frame drum played with a small stick, and it's one of the best-known instruments in Irish music. The harp, cláirseach, is a national symbol.

Songs and dance

• sean-nós — a traditional, unaccompanied style of singing (literally "old style").
• céilí — a social gathering with traditional music and dancing.
• seisiún — an informal session where musicians play together, often in a pub.

Useful sentences

• Is maith liom ceol traidisiúnta. — I like traditional music.
• Canann sí amhrán. — She sings a song.

Music and language

Many traditional songs are in Irish, and learning the words helps you understand them. Songs have long been a way of keeping the language and its stories alive.