Music of Ireland - Early Irish Music

Early Irish Music

By the High and Late Medieval Era, the Irish annals were listing native musicians, such as the following:

• 921. Cú Congalta, priest of Lann-Leire, the Tethra (i. e. the singer or orator) for voice, personal form, and knowledge, died.
• 1011. Connmhach Ua Tomhrair, priest and chief singer of Cluain-mic-Nois, died.
• 1168. Amhlaeibh Mac Innaighneorach, chief ollamh of Ireland in harp-playing, died.
• 1226: Aed mac Donn Ó Sochlachain, erenagh of Cong, a man eminent for chanting and for the right tuning of harps and for having made an instrument for himself which none had made before, distinguished also in every art such as poetry, engraving and writing and in every skilled occupation, died this year.
• 1269: Aed Ó Finn, master of music and minstrelsy, died.
• 1329: Maol Ruanaidh Cam Ó Cearbhaill, tiompanist, murdered during the Braganstown Massacre in County Louth.
• 1330: Mael Sechlainn Mac Carmaic, a general entertainer, died.
• 1343: Donnchad Clereach Ó Maol Braonáin, a choral canon of Elphin, was killed by an arrow.
• 1357: Donn Shléibhe Mac Cerbaill, an accomplished musician ... died.
• 1360: Gilla na Naem Ó Conmaigh, music ollamh of Thomond ... died.
• 1361. Magraith Ó Fionnachta, Chief Musician and Tiompanist to the Síol Muireadaigh, died.
• 1364: Bran Ó Brain, a skillful tympanist ... died.
• 1369: John Mac Egan, and Gilbert Ó Bardan, two accomplished young harpers of Conmaicne, died.
• 1469: Ruaidrí mac Donnchad Ó Dálaigh, the most musical-handed harpist in all Ireland.
• 1490: Diarmait MacCairbre, harper, was executed.
• 1553: Tadhg, son of Ruaidhri Ó Comhdhain, i.e. the ollamh of Éire and Alba in music, died.
• 1561: Naisse mac Cithruadh, drowned on Lough Gill.
• 1589. Daighre Ó Duibhgeannáin, a most affable, musical man, died.