Irish Traditional Musical Instruments

Fiddle - Fidil

The fiddle is one of the most iconic instruments in Irish traditional music, central to both melody and rhythm. While it is essentially the same as a classical violin, it is often played with a looser bow grip, flexible wrist action, and distinctive ornamentation such as rolls, cuts, and grace notes that give Irish fiddle its characteristic lilt. The instrument is used to carry melody, accompany dances, and interact dynamically with other instruments in sessions. Renowned players like Tommy Peoples and Martin Hayes have shaped the modern tradition, showcasing the fiddle’s expressive range - from driving, rhythmic reels and jigs to haunting, lyrical airs. Their innovative techniques and emotive playing have inspired generations of musicians and reinforced the fiddle’s central role in Irish music.

 Piano Accordion - Cairdín Pianó 

The piano accordion features a piano-style keyboard on the right-hand side for melody and buttons on the left for bass and chords. Widely used in many musical traditions, it has also found a place in Irish music, where its rich, full sound adds depth and harmony alongside traditional dance tunes. It offers versatility and power in both solo and group settings.

Button Accordion - Bosch Ceoil

The button accordion is a staple of Irish traditional music, known for its bright, lively tone and its agility in playing fast, ornamented melodies. Typically featuring one row in C and one in B, it is fully chromatic, allowing musicians to perform a wide range of tunes. The instrument brings rhythmic drive and dynamic variation to dance music, making it a favorite in sessions and performances alike.

Melodeon - Mileoideon

A single-row melodeon is a button accordion with one row of melody buttons on the right-hand side, usually tuned to a single key (often D or C for Irish music). Each button gives a different note when the bellows are pushed or pulled, creating the lively, rhythmic sound ideal for jigs, reels, and polkas.

The left-hand side has a few bass and chord buttons -typically two bass notes with their chords - providing a rhythmic pulse and harmonic support. While simple, this setup delivers a driving, percussive accompaniment that complements the melody perfectly.

The Voice

The voice is the most accessible of all instruments, allowing anyone to sing anywhere. In Irish traditional music, singing takes many forms, from expressive songs to lilting - where the voice mimics the sound of instruments using rhythmic syllables. Whistling is another vocal technique used to carry melodies, especially in settings where instruments are unavailable. Storytelling through song has long been central to the tradition, preserving history, folklore, and local tales while bringing music and narrative together in a uniquely Irish way.

Irish Harp - Cruit

The harp has a unique and enduring place in Irish cultural history, with roots stretching back to the earliest Celtic traditions. It is closely associated with the renowned blind harpist and composer Turlough O’Carolan, whose melodies remain central to the repertoire. In Irish traditional music, the harp provides melodic beauty while also offering rhythmic accompaniment, supporting dance tunes and songs with its flowing patterns. Its versatility and expressive range make it a symbol of Ireland’s musical identity, celebrated both in historical lore and modern performances.

Banjo - Bainseó

The Irish tenor banjo, a four-stringed instrument, has become a staple in Irish traditional music despite its associations with American bluegrass. Typically tuned similarly to the fiddle or mandolin, it allows musicians to play fast, melodic lines with clarity and precision. Its bright, percussive sound adds lively energy to reels, jigs, and other dance tunes, making it a favourite in both sessions and performances.

Mandolin - Maindilín

The mandolin, with its bright, chiming tone, is a versatile instrument that has been embraced by Irish traditional musicians. It typically has eight strings arranged in four pairs (courses), tuned G-D-A-E, the same as a fiddle. The double strings give it a rich, ringing sound, ideal for both playing fast melodic lines and providing rhythmic accompaniment. In Irish music, the mandolin adds a sparkling, lively texture to reels, jigs, and airs.

Piano - Pianó

Though not a traditional Irish instrument, the piano has become a valuable part of modern Irish music, particularly in céilí bands. Its versatility allows it to provide rich harmonic accompaniment, support dance rhythms, and occasionally carry melodic lines. Pianists can explore a range of styles within the tradition, adding depth and texture to both lively reels and jigs as well as slower, expressive airs.

Tin Whistle - Feadóg

Also called the penny whistle or Irish whistle, the tin whistle is a small, simple wind instrument with a bright, penetrating tone. Despite its simplicity, it is highly versatile, capable of carrying fast, ornamented melodies or slower, expressive airs. Its high-pitched sound is a defining feature of Irish traditional music, and it is commonly used both to lead tunes and to complement other instruments in sessions.

Uilleann Pipes - Píb Uilleann

The uilleann pipes are Ireland’s distinctive form of bagpipes, known for their sweet, expressive tone and remarkable versatility. Unlike Scottish bagpipes, which are played with the mouth, uilleann pipes are powered by bellows strapped under the player’s arm, giving precise control over dynamics, phrasing, and ornamentation. With a chanter for melody, drones for harmonic support, and regulators for chords, the instrument can produce richly textured music suitable for both solo performance and accompaniment. Masters such as Willie Clancy have helped shape the modern tradition, showcasing the instrument’s unique ability to convey both haunting airs and lively dance tunes.

Concertina - Consairtín

The concertina, similar in appearance to a small accordion, is a handheld free-reed instrument that produces a bright, crisp sound. The Anglo concertina, in particular, is widely used in Irish traditional music, valued for its agility in playing melodies and its ability to provide rhythmic, chordal accompaniment. Its compact size makes it ideal for lively dance tunes and intimate sessions alike.

Bodhran

The bodhrán is a traditional Irish frame drum, usually made from goatskin stretched tightly over a circular wooden frame. It is played with a double-headed beater, known as a tipper, which can be struck in different ways to produce a variety of rhythms, accents, and tonal effects. Skilled players often use one hand inside the drum to control pitch and timbre, allowing for subtle dynamic changes and melodic phrasing. The bodhrán provides the rhythmic backbone of many Irish music sessions, driving reels, jigs, and hornpipes while complementing both solo and ensemble performances. Its versatility and expressive range have made it a defining instrument in modern Irish traditional music.

Flute - Feadóg Mhór

The flute used in Irish traditional music is typically made from wood such as African blackwood, cocus, or ebony, giving it a warm, resonant tone. It is a simple-system flute, similar in fingering to the tin whistle, with six main finger holes that allow players to produce a full range of notes and ornaments. The wooden flute has a strong, reedy sound that blends beautifully with other instruments while also carrying well in solo playing. In Irish music, it is prized for its expressive qualities, from sweet, flowing airs to driving, rhythmic dance tunes.

Mouth Organ - Orgán Béil

While not native to Ireland, the harmonica—often called a mouth organ - has become part of Irish traditional music. The Irish tenor and diatonic harmonicas, especially in keys like D and G, are favoured for playing melodies and ornamentation. Techniques such as trills, cuts, and rolls allow the harmonica to mimic the expressive qualities of instruments like the fiddle and uilleann pipes. Notable players, including Mick Kinsella and Rick Epping, have helped develop the “Irish harmonica” style, adding a soulful, lively voice to reels, jigs, and airs.

Irish Bouzouki

The Irish bouzouki, adapted from the Greek instrument, has become a staple in modern Irish traditional music. Typically a four-course stringed instrument, it is often tuned G-D-A-D or G-D-A-E, providing a rich, resonant sound ideal for both rhythmic accompaniment and melodic playing. Pioneered in Ireland by musicians such as Andy Irvine and Dónal Lunny, the bouzouki adds depth and drive to sessions and ensembles, supporting dance tunes with rhythmic patterns while also contributing to melodic interplay. Its versatility and distinctive tone have made it an enduring part of the Irish folk repertoire.

Guitar - Giotár

The guitar has become an important accompaniment instrument in Irish traditional music, providing harmonic support and rhythmic drive to reels, jigs, and airs. Players often use standard tuning, but open tunings - such as DADGAD - are popular for creating rich, droning textures and facilitating ornamentation. Renowned musicians like Steve Cooney and Denis Cahill have shaped modern Irish guitar playing, blending subtle chordal patterns with intricate melodic interplay. Its versatility allows the guitar to complement both solo performances and ensemble settings, adding warmth and depth to the traditional repertoire.