The Phrase "Irish Folk Music"

[Fiacharrey]

My wife just compiled a collection of Irish folk music for her flute, and she wants to put a Gaelic title on the book. She asked me how to write something along the lines of "Irish Folk Music." I looked up "music" and found the word "ceol," but that's not good enough.

This gets into grammar and such, which is, at this point, beyond me. Would someone be so kind as to give me an appropriate translation to give her? (I can probably figure out the pronunciation, but maybe not, so a little help with pronunciation would be appreciated, too.)

So, my language skills are still sucky, but the good news is that I've picked up the bodhran to accompany her (professional level) flute playing. We are sounding pretty good, if I do say so myself!

[Beith]

Hi,

"Ceol tráidisiúnta" (Traditional music) would be the title most appropriate I think as I guess that what she is playing are traditional airs from Irish trad. repertoire as opposed to modern folk songs?

Pronunciation is "kee-yole traw-dish-oo-in-ta" (stress accent on 'traw')

As it's in Gaelic there's no need to specify "Irish" (that's implicit) but if you want to, then:

Ceol tráidisiúnta Éireannach with pronunciation "Air-in-uhk" for the last word "Irish").

by the way - congrats on learning how to play the Bodhrán ("bow-rawn" for anyone not sure of how to say this word). I am sure you both make beautiful music together!

Best wishes
Beith

[Fiacharrey]

Thanks, Beith! You rock!

Yes, "traditional music" is a better phrase. Music is the vehicle of spirituality for my wife. She is lovingly preparing this book and plans to add knot work decorations and such. It's going to be pretty cool. I think this will be as cherished to her as a Christian's Bible or a Wiccan's Book of Shadows.

We are gearing up to play for the local Beltaine celebration, and are having a great time, too.

[Beith]

That's great Fiacharrey! I'm sure that the book will be wonderful and indeed anything that is created with one's own hands and imagination, brings a lot of satisfaction when it manifests!

I hope you both enjoy the Bealtaine celebration - it's really nice to know that this festival is being celebrated in other parts of the world. I wanted to have a Bealtaine celebration here on this board so maybe I'll propose it again and see if there are interested parties.

Beith

[Abhaill]

Oooo, Beith! What might that entail? I don't want to hijack Fiacharrey's thread here, so maybe you might start a new thread about it, le do thoil? I'd love to hear more!

Go raibh maith agat,
~ Abhaill

[Beith]

Hi Abhaill,

go raibh maith agat don teachtaireacht thuas!

It was an idea to celebrate Bealtaine publicly on this board. My idea was to have a "festival" of sorts where over the first few days of May, we would have Bealtaine-related threads on the board (either in a forum like Discuss Druidry or even the Pub or in here in Celtic Studies).

I'll post my thoughts on it in a separate thread as requested.
Best wishes
Beith