The Footloose star – he’s got a ton of other stuff to his credit too, but the ‘80s dance movie will always be at the top – told RTE host Ryan Tubridy back in 2020 that he loves the Irish hand drum, ...

Contrary to Seamus Ennis’ much-quoted admonition that the best way to play the bodhrán was with a penknife, this percussion instrument is a much-admired and prominent feature in many Irish traditional ...

"What is the purpose of your trip, and why so many cameras?" It was a familiar question during my trip to Iran in January to film my first documentary, Hidden Drummers of Iran. This time, we are ...

There’s an old joke that goes, “What’s the best way to play a bodhrán? With a penknife.” The slag is reputed to have come from the piper Séamus Ennis – infuriated by beginners buying a bodhrán at a ...

Anna Colliton on bodhrán (Irish drum), guitarist Collin Cotter, violinist Sumaia Jackson and cellist Tristan Clarridge play a ...

There is not a great deal of information about the bodhran and its history, probably because the drum hasn't really changed much over time. It resembles a large tambourine without the jingling parts ...

A new book explores how the bodhrán became a popular musical instrument in surprisingly recent times John B Keane playing a bodhrán alongside its maker Sonny Canavan in a Newsround segment aired in ...

Documentary On One: Professor Mel Mercier, Chair of Performing Arts at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance at University of Limerick, introduces Peadar Mercier, a documentary portrait of his ...

A bodhrán called Barry will be the mascot for the UEFA Under-17 European Championships in Ireland. Colin O'Brien, Clara Hogan and Barry the Bodhrán. Pic: INPHO/Bryan Keane Barry The Bodhrán was ...