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Jedward back in business with new record deal

The boys are back in record label town! Jedward has rebounded from being dumped by Sony to get picked up by Universal after the twins agreed to sign a three record deal. FULL STORY >

Gabriel Byrne named Ireland’s first cultural ambassador

The Irish government announced this week that actor Gabriel Byrne will be the first ever cultural ambassador for Ireland, tasked with creating new opportunities for Irish culture abroad and spearheading an ambitious 2011 “invasion” of Irish culture to America. FULL STORY >

Five great Irish drinking songs for St. Patrick's Day

It is St. Patrick's Day, and if you are not already in a pub toasting Ireland's health, then you are probably on a countdown to do so. And if you are having a party to celebrate our patron saint's day, then here are five great Irish drinking songs to get you in the mood for a rocking day! FULL STORY >

Siobhan Magnus vows 'big blast of a song' for "American Idol"

Irish American idol Siobhan Magnus is planning a big blast of a song for tonight's show. FULL STORY >

10 Irish songs to avoid this Saint Patrick’s Day

WITH MUSIC VIDEOS: If your buddy feels compelled to sing a famous Irish ballad this Saint Patrick’s Day, be a good pal and make sure he or she scrapes the following ten numbers off their party pieces. FULL STORY >

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Irish folk music is the generic term for music that has been created in various genres on the entire island of Ireland. Collections of Irish folk music date from the 18th century, but ballad printers were not established in Dublin until the 19th century. By the mid-20th century, Irish folk music had fallen out fashion. Festivals such as the Fleadh Cheoil exposed people to folk. The English folk music scene also gave Irish musicians the chance to find new audiences. With the success of the Clancy Brothers in the US in 1959, it became trendy again to listen to Irish music. Later, the international success of the Chieftains made the folk music of Ireland a global brand. In the 1980s, the Pogues helped fuse Irish folk with punk rock, giving a whole new audience a chance to listen to songs influenced by the folk tradition. Enya achieved international success with New Age/Celtic fusions. Irish music also contributed a subgenre of folk metal known as Celtic metal with exponents of the genre including Cruachan, Geasa and Waylander. Audiences do not just listen to Irish music in concert halls or arenas, but in much more informal settings as well. In recent decades, patrons can listen to Irish folk musicians at pub sessions. Many fans don’t just listen to Irish music &emdash; they dance to it at weddings and saint’s days. When you listen to Irish folk music, one instrument you are likely to hear is the fiddle. The fiddling tradition of Sligo is perhaps most recognizable to outsiders, due to the popularity of American-based performers like Lad O'Beirne, Michael Coleman, John McGrath, James Morrison and Paddy Killoran. Other instruments to listen for include the flute, tin whistle and Uilleann pipes.

Most Popular Entertainment Stories

Jedward back in business with new record deal

Gabriel Byrne named Ireland’s first cultural ambassador

Five great Irish drinking songs for St. Patrick's Day

Siobhan Magnus vows 'big blast of a song' for "American Idol"

10 Irish songs to avoid this Saint Patrick’s Day

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