What should she bring me from Eire?

[k0k0peli]

Every few years, my wife and her sister, a couple of rugged gals in their mid-late 60s now, go off to Ireland for some weeks, just to tour the place. Their next trip starts in a couple of months and they'll concentrate on the west. Won't even approach Dublin.

My wife always brings back something musical. Her budget has increased over time. The first was a Clare whistle in D (for me). The second was a 19-inch Walton's bodhrán (for herself). And this time... she's asked what I'd like. I haven't asked yet about the budget limit but I expect she'll quail at spending much over US$500-$600. (And she doesn't want any more banjos!)

I would like your suggestions for a 'typical' Irish instrument and source. I don't fiddle and my concertina collects dust. A harp is too large. I already have a great Celtic mandolin by Keith E Coleman. Other than those, I'll entertain any wild (but not too costly) ideas. And remember, I have a couple months to stew over this. Thanks!

[Bertram Henze]

Well, there is Hammy Hamilton and Eugene Lambe, but their prices and waiting lists may be outside what you want. The problem is that the only two easily affordable typical Irish instruments are what you already have (whistle and bodhran); anything else is either
- a lifetime investment
- a surrogate souvenir any amount of money is wasted on(*)
- imported from Germany, Asia or the US

If you really want something practical and enduring with an incredible Irish touch to it, get an Aran sweater bought in one of those knitwear shops on the West coast - easy to assert authenticity: it should be that creamy white, and it should have that strong smell of wool grease.

(*) the Irish like to give any old object a genuine Irish appearance for gullible tourists. I still have one of their tiny "Guaranteed Irish" stickers I put on my Japanese tenor banjo 30 years ago

[Dave Hanson]

Poteen ?

Dave H

[mrmando]

Uilleann pipes? a Paul Doyle bouzouki?

Too expensive, but one can dream.

A 50-year Jameson's?

Really, the best thing you can take away from Ireland is the memory of having been there. But the woolens are nice, if you like that sort of thing.

[RichardF]

It has always amazed me how few music retailers there are in Ireland, even in the bigger towns and cities. I know it has a small population and profits may be low but once you get past Drogheda Sound Shop it's a long way to the next stop unless Dublin or Belfast,.

[Jim Bevan]

When we were in Galway, my wife bought me a T-shirt from Taaffes Bar.

Doesn't prove that I know what I'm doing, but it does prove that I know how it should sound.

[Bertram Henze]

If you want to stick to the important items of Irish music, here is the shopping list provided by Seamus Ennis:

- the talk
- the grip
- the truckly-howl
- a little leprechauny truckly-howl
- limeretty limeretty hill-hockles
- the Argy-fargy
- the deep ’pon doom

Good luck with these

[Dagger Gordon]

You could do a lot worse than get a bunch of Irish CDs in a specialist shop. You just don't get the range outside Ireland (OK you can buy online, but it's not the same).

http://www.custysmusic.com/index.php


A tweed waistcoat or hat perhaps?

[multidon]

There really isn't any instrument more symbolic of Ireland than the harp. You say they are too large but there is such a thing as a small Irish harp. More specifically, the short pillared, wire strung clarsach type similar to the "Brian Boru" example on display at Trinity College. It would probably fit in the airplane overhead. The bad news is that any "Irish" harps you are likely to find in tourist trap stores over there are likely to be Pakistan made junk. The dead giveaway is "all rosewood" construction. In opposition to most other string instruments, rosewood is a miserable wood for harp making. Too heavy. There are fewer than a dozen harp makers in Ireland right now. And they all have waiting lists and are very expensive. Ironically, most of their product goes overseas. Very few Irish purchase Irish harps.

I am friends with a lady originally from Ireland and she is fascinated by the fact that so many Americans enjoy Irish Traditional music. According to her, it is not taught in schools anymore and traditional Irish music is not generally appreciated in its birthplace. Ironically, if you see an actual operating Irish Traditional band, they are playing mostly for the tourists. And the instruments you are most likely to see them playing are guitar (originally from Spain) and banjo (from the USA via Africa).

I do not know these things first hand. I have never been to Ireland. I would love to go someday though! I only base my comments on reports I have heard from others who have been there.

I mention the harp because it is such a musical icon of Ireland. Acquiring one worth having in your price range is probably unrealistic, but there is always the possibility you may see a dusty old one in an antique shop. Buyer beware and ask lots of questions.

There is always that traditional Irish instrument (by way of Greece), the bouzouki. If you find one of those they will probably start at over twice your price range, but they are definitely associated with Irish music.

[journeybear]

A bottle or two of whisky from smaller distillers that don't get distributed elsewhere and can only be found there. It may take some doing to settle on which one(s), which could be part of the fun for her. A wee dram or two of the blessed stuff, and the music will arise all by itself.

(And she doesn't want any more banjos!)

Good lass! She's a keeper. (But you knew that. )

PS: BTW, Jim - Santiago de Chile (home), Israel (work) - that's a hell of a commute!

[Daysleeper]

Eirish boots.
Of Eirish leather.

[multidon]

Interesting how we seem to forget the OP wants a typical Irish musical instrument. Not sweaters or whiskey,

An interesting and doable choice might be a bombarde if you can find one. A bombarde is not as common in Irish traditional but not unheard of. Sort of a copy of an early oboe. They are available in a variety of keys including D. The keyless ones use the same fingerings as a tin whistle so no learning curve there, except they usually include one note below the key note, like a C below low D. The main challenge would be learning how to get a pleasant tone from the double reed, similar to a bagpipe chanter. A bombarde would be small enough to pack into carry on luggage and within your price range IF you can find one. As I said they are not common. They are also used in Cape Breton music

[Paul Busman]

Why the heck aren't you tagging along? My wife and I have visited many countries, and we loved our trip to Ireland above all others.
I was on the lookout for musical stuff, and couldn't find anything nice at a decent price.
The best musical souvenir was a video I took. We heard a band play a tune that I really loved so after their set I asked their box (accordion) player the name of it. He wasn't sure of the name but immediately sat down and played it for me, first slowly and then faster so I could learn from it. I've since learned that it's called The Clumsy Lover and I play it all the time on my mandolin and tenor banjo. If I can figure out how to get it out of my iPhone I'll post it.

[Jim Bevan]

No kidding, Journeybear!

I'm leaving (from Israel) for Thailand within the hour -- time to update my profile!

[Bertram Henze]

Interesting how we seem to forget the OP wants a typical Irish musical instrument. Not sweaters or whiskey,

An interesting and doable choice might be a bombarde if you can find one. A bombarde is not as common in Irish traditional but not unheard of.

It was me who brought the turn to sweaters, and I elaborately explained why.

The bombarde is a reed instrument from the music of Brittany, and is typically played in a duo with another bombarde or a biniou. It is hardly ever heard outside this genre, and certainly not in Irish music. It's Celtic alright, but not Irish.

[montana]

Hand made sweater from Blarney woolen mills.

[k0k0peli]

Celtic is good. We have a Scottish bagpipe chanter. Why aren't I going along? I'd rather not be with my sister-in-law for for than a few hours at a time, is why. She used to run a major insurance firm and is rather, shall we say, rather high-powered and set in her political views.

What happens if I can push the budget to US$1000-$1200?

[Dagger Gordon]

Well if you want an instrument you could always try something like a concertina or button accordion, but they will be way over your price.

The topic moved to items other than instruments for the reasons Bertram neatly summarised:

"The problem is that the only two easily affordable typical Irish instruments are what you already have (whistle and bodhran); anything else is either
- a lifetime investment
- a surrogate souvenir any amount of money is wasted on(*)
- imported from Germany, Asia or the US".

[Fred Keller]

Here's a different tack (one I've taken to ever-redounding enjoyment): Buy original art. There are some fantastic regional art groups, artists, markets, etc. Often you can find art with a musical theme as well. In addition, many times they will ship to you if it's too big to haul home. Echoing Bertram, you've got the Irish instruments you can afford at that price unless you're interested in a low-cost (i.e. PVC) uillean pipe set.

Just one more option to consider

[MysTiK PiKn]

a Keg of XXX - the stuff you can't get here.
caution - might get seized by thirsty, educated, experienced customs workers.


But I also second the motion for a uillean pipe. (sp?)
I tend to think one of those might fit in your budget. I don't think they have all the drones, if any, maybe optional. I have seen electric ones with an electric breather for the bag. And they don't blast people out of their chairs, etc., they are fairly quiet. They are smaller too, and I can't see how they would cost all that much.


Or - you could make really strange music w an English-Gaelic dictionary;
esp. one that would help with spelling in my 2nd suggestion.

[catmandu2]

T'were me I'd only expect a piece of artwork for that range (a la fred's suggestion).

Fwiw - a sufficient (non-MIC) button accordian can be had for under $1k - but you can score one in the US as easily ... same with wire harp (Ardival makes a nice wee harp - the kilcoy ) ..

[Bertram Henze]

They are smaller too, and I can't see how they would cost all that much.

Size does not matter - complication does. Uilleann pipes (sic) have a considerably wider pitch range than your everyday set of highland or border pipes. And when you add that steampunk regulator to make a full set you have the most sophisticated instrument in Irish music. You can start with a minimum student set without any drones, but even that has the real chanter.

[foldedpath]

What happens if I can push the budget to US$1000-$1200?

Agreeing with some of the others here, I don't think that gets you into a musical instrument you don't already have (the whistle and bodhran) that would be considered traditional Irish.

Maybe a lap harp... but as has been noted, 98% of the ones found in tourist shops will be something you won't want as anything more than a decoration. It might take considerable effort to find one that actually works well as a musical instrument, and if your relatives aren't experts, they won't know the difference.

What about a few whistles in keys other than the one you have? And a nice wool sweater.

But I also second the motion for a uillean pipe. (sp?)
I tend to think one of those might fit in your budget. I don't think they have all the drones, if any, maybe optional.

Uilleann pipes -- good playable ones, not Pakistani firewood -- are horrendously expensive, and one of the hardest instruments to learn how to play. The OP might be able to get an Uilleann practice set for under $1k, or just a plastic chanter for a lot less. But it raises the question of whether he's ready to invest the time to learn anything about playing it.

My S.O. and I play music with some local pipers. Mainly the Scottish indoor variety -- border pipes, smallpipes, and Morrison "reelpipes." The investment in both cash and time is similar to Uilleann pipes, and it's not something to be taken up lightly. It's one of those lifetime avocations... takes years to even get started, makes learning the fiddle look easy. My S.O. wanted me to learn the pipes a few years ago, and I started on "Irish flute" instead. I don't have enough years left in me, to learn to be a good piper. And there are few things that sound more awful than the sound of a bad piper!

[multidon]

Didn't mean to insult anyone, but he did ask for instrument suggestions. Not whiskey, sweaters, cd's etc. Really.

At 1200 you are right on the cup of an entry level Joe Foley mandola or bouzouki.

[Sleet]

Maybe a low whistle to go with your D, or Irish flute?