March brings St. Patrick Day’s Day and around my house, all things Irish appear. The air rings with Irish music. You’ll frequently catch me dancing a little jig along with Celtic Woman.

Irish music is such an important part of Ireland. Whether the fiddler on a corner in Dublin or the man on the country lane blowing his Irish whistle or a late night session at the local pub, you’ll find toe tapping, hand clapping music everywhere.

I could listen all day. And often do when I’m over there.

DSC00444These photos was taken at sessions we attended on one of our trips.2006 pub

As the session on the right was breaking up a native Irish speaker leaned over and said this about the music we’d been listening to, “Ah I tell you, it was great music, ‘twould make the water stand out in your eyes.”Me and old manAnd, indeed tears did sparkle in my eyes that night.

Pat Higgins, an Irish traditional musician who plays wooden flute, tin whistle, and guitar, says this about Irish traditional music: “Music is an act of love.”   I couldn’t agree more.

Nothing is more wonderful than the combination of traditional music and dancing. On a trip to Bunratty Castle in 2006, we attended an Irish Evening at the Corn Barn where the magic of Irish traditional music, song, and the local dancers provided a show we still talk about. Watch this video describing the event. I promise it will put you in St. Patrick’s Day mood.

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