Music plays a part in the story A Short and Unhappy Courtship. The people of Lough Key spend their Sunday afternoons at Irish ceilli dances. With church done, the villagers enjoy an afternoon of dancing and visiting with their friends and neighbors.
Irish music is made up of reels, jigs, and polkas and is traditionally played on violins, harps, and drums. Although the harp was the most popular instrument in ancient Ireland, the fiddle replaced it in popularity when the British occupied the country and dispersed the Irish courts and their harpists.
By the time of A Short and Unhappy Courtship, the fiddle could be found in every village. Sounding beautiful alone or with other instruments, its versatility makes it an integral part of Irish music.
A local band, Knotted Clover, recorded the following tune. Hope you enjoy it!
Connor on fiddle, Ella on harp and penny whistle and Greg on guitar
