Gaelic music in the context of "Irish Gaelic culture"

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⭐ Core Definition: Gaelic music

Gaelic music (Irish: Ceol Gaelach, "Irish music" or "Gaelic music," Scottish Gaelic: Ceòl Gàidhealach) is an umbrella term for any music written in the Gaelic languages of Irish and Scottish Gaelic. To differentiate between the two, the Irish language is typically just referred to as "Irish", or sometimes as "Gaeilge" (pronounced "gehl-guh"); Scottish Gaelic is referred to as "Gàidhlig" (commonly pronounced as "GAH-lick"). Gaelic music is also classified under "Celtic music".

Gaelic music is distinguished from Anglophone musical forms in a number of ways. For example, longer narratives such as murder ballads, and songs chronicling the many woes of the singer's life (very common in England and lowland Scotland, and later, America), were seldom seen in the Gaeldom. Themes frequently found in Gaelic music include the great beauty and spiritual qualities of nature ("Chi Mi Na Mòrbheanna," "An Ataireachd Ard"), and laments for lost loved ones ("Fear a' Bhàta," "Ailein Duinn," "Griogal Cridhe"). These songs are nearly always sung from the female perspective, expressing deep grief if the male lover is dead or begging him to return if he is absent or missing. Another highly prominent theme is unrequited love, separated lovers, or songs from the point of view of an admirer (usually a male in this case; "Bruach na Carraige Báine", "Moll Dubh a'Ghleanna," "Bheadh Buachaillín deas ag Síle").

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Gaelic music in the context of Gaelic Ireland

Gaelic Ireland (Irish: Éire Ghaelach) was the Gaelic political and social order, and associated culture, that existed in Ireland from the late prehistoric era until the 17th century. It comprised the whole island before Anglo-Normans conquered parts of Ireland in the 1170s. Thereafter, it comprised that part of the country not under foreign dominion at a given time (i.e. the part beyond The Pale). For most of its history, Gaelic Ireland was a "patchwork" hierarchy of territories ruled by a hierarchy of kings or chiefs, who were chosen or elected through tanistry. Warfare between these territories was common. Traditionally, a powerful ruler was acknowledged as High King of Ireland. Society was made up of clans and, like the rest of Europe, was structured hierarchically according to class. Throughout this period, the economy was mainly pastoral and money was generally not used. A Gaelic Irish style of dress, music, dance, sport and art can be identified, with Irish art later merging with Anglo-Saxon styles to create Insular art.

Gaelic Ireland was initially pagan and had an oral culture maintained by traditional Gaelic storytellers/historians, the seanchaidhthe. Writing, in the form of inscription in the ogham alphabet, began in the protohistoric period, perhaps as early as the 1st century. The conversion to Christianity, beginning in the 5th century, accompanied the introduction of literature. In the Middle Ages, Irish mythology and Brehon law were recorded by Irish monks, albeit partly Christianized. Gaelic Irish monasteries were important centres of learning. Irish missionaries and scholars were influential in western Europe and helped to spread Christianity to much of Britain and parts of mainland Europe.

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LINKED FROM (PARENTS)
← Gaelic Ireland ← Irish Gaelic culture
LINKS TO (CHILDREN)
Irish language → Scottish Gaelic language → Goidelic languages → Celtic music → Anglophone → Murder ballad →