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All About Irish Traditional Music

Veselina Dzhingarova — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 11:16:47 +0000

Ireland has always been known for its simplicity and quaintness and that is reflected in their music as well. If anyone wants to hear to some lively, cheerful music, Irish music is sure to lift up their spirits. The melodious playfulness tugs at every heartstring and even after lots of experimentation in modern times, Irish traditional music has remained the same. Right from the Gaelic times, the Irish have held on to their traditions in the face of all odds, and even from the constant threat of being overshadowed by the more popular English culture. But the roots run deep and over time, they have managed to carve out their niche.

Saint Patrick’s Day (Irish: Lá Fhéile Pádraig) in Dublin (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

To start with, Ireland has always been associated with rural living more than urban sophistry. Hence the folk elements form a major part of their culture and they allude to nature and her elements. In earlier time, ten musical instruments were very much in vogue out of which the harp and the tabor were very important. The harp was used in all state presentations and functions of importance. A smaller harp called the cruit and the bigger harp called clairesearch, which had 30 strings were widely used in public performances. Then there was the cuiselenna which is actually a bagpipe, but different in some technical aspects from the Scottish or Russian counterparts. The stoc and sturgan were used to create dramatic effect, much like the clarions and trumpets that we have today. Most importantly, there was the fiddle and there were entire pieces which just evolved around it. There is evidence that it was used as early as in the 8th century. Then there were the buinne and the tin whistle. The 18th century was thus filled with the melodiousness of these instruments which were mostly made from wood.
Compared to the music, the songs have evolved much later and most of the Irish folk songs that one gets to hear today have evolved in less than 200 years. But then again, the nature of the songs is very similar to the poems that we have from the Old English period. There are the lament songs called Caoineadh Songs and they were mostly sung in funerals. Again, for the happier times, there are songs and music which are played at weddings and births. These musical pieces have the predominance of hornpipes, reels and jigs.

In the modern times, guitars, saxophones and even drums have made entry into the Irish mainstream music which creates fantastic renditions of the old tunes in a new way. The fiddle is replaced to a large extent with the modern violin. The tin whistle has given way to the flute. Moreover, the accordion has entered the contemporary Irish musical scenario and since it can project a number of scales by itself, it single handedly replaces some other instruments as well. On the other hand, the concertina is more English in nature but has found its way in the Irish mainstream. The banjo and mandolin are also well known, thanks to the media which now actively participates in highlighting Irish music.

With so much said, it is worth listening to some Irish traditional music now, isn’t it?

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The Best That Europe Has to Offer

Dzhingarov — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 07:00:10 +0000

If you are planning a visit to Europe in the coming months and you’ve never been before, you will no doubt be getting rather excited about your first experience of this wonderful continent. The region is diverse, historic and utterly fascinating, so you are in for an unforgettable odyssey. For those who have yet to experience the best the Europeans have to offer, here’s a quick guide to some of the finest aspects of it.

The best golf

There will be many purists who point to the east coast of Scotland when discussing the finest golf courses, but there are plenty more who feel the unpredictable weather conditions can detract from the enjoyment. For a great many experts, Portugal is regarded as the ultimate golfing location. The courses are undulating, spectacular and utterly beautiful, and the sun and blue skies are ready to welcome you throughout most of the year.

The best welcome

A number of European countries, especially those with a stake in the tourist industry, are proud to boast of the friendliness of the locals, but the Republic of Ireland has the strongest claim of all. This wonderful nation is home to a vast number of bars and clubs that are rightly known for the warmth of their welcomes, and there are many tourists who have visited for a short break and made lifelong friends in the process.

The best food Spain, Italy and Germany all have their own distinctive cuisines featuring a number of tempting dishes, but surely no country in Europe – or in the whole world – can match what France has. From the tiniest villages to the centre of Paris itself, a meal is regarded as something that’s almost sacred, and as such every ingredient has to be perfect. The true taste of France should be savoured by every traveller.

The best sightseeing

Trafalgar Square in London, England. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

City break holidays are understandably popular in Europe, and the most impressive destination is surely London. The majestic capital of the UK offers a fascinating blend of ancient and modern, and it’s often the case that a short holiday leaves nowhere near enough time to see everything. If you plan to visit, be sure to include the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and the London Eye on your itinerary.

The best beach The countries of southern Europe entertain millions of tourists every year, each of them attracted by the wonderful climate and the impressive beaches. Although it’s difficult to single out just one, there is a consensus among many that Oludeniz in Turkey is perhaps the finest. The stunning turquoise waters of this wonderful resort, where the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas meet, provide the perfect backdrop to an afternoon of sunbathing.

Author:David Showell -Follow him on Google+.

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Travelling With A Personal Guide: Best Travel Apps For You Smartphone

Dzhingarov — Thu, 21 Feb 2013 05:00:58 +0000

Travelling is a way of life. It is a necessity for some people who have strong cravings for something new. And over the past century, mankind has created many ways to make travelling easier. From the coal powered steamboat to the gas propelled 747, no country or destination seems to be out of reach. It’s only a matter of time before the human race conquers the unexplored reaches of the globe and exposes the true beauty of our planet. Lately smartphones have been the latest trend in travelling. the makers of these extremely essential and reliable gadgets were kind enough to spend some time developing programs that would aid the frequent traveler in many ways. Not only can they pinpoint a destination, they can make dinner and airline ticket reservations as well. Sound impossible? Well if you’re a traveler who owns a smartphone haven’t heard about these new slick licks, then you are missing out on life. Below are the best travelling apps for smartphones available today. Based on experience, I can guarantee that it’ll make your vacation less time consuming and easier.

URBANSPOON

Urbanspoon is very useful in finding restaurants and diners in unfamiliar places. It scans the closest food places in your current area with just one shake of your smartphone. Also you can make reservations and see what restaurants your friends like. This is definitely a great help for travelling businessmen and families.

TRIPOSO

Having trouble finding internet connection for your smartphone during a trip in another country? Well be troubled no more! Triposo is a travel guide app for smartphones that can work offline. It is updated with info of more than 50 countries and cities plus has a currency converter and a weather report system.

HAILO

Visiting the UK? Well then Hailo, a taxi finding and calling application for smartphones is the best app to have. This unique feature can track taxis near you and calculate how far and how long it’ll take for the cab to get to your location. Payment for the taxi can be either in cash or card. Also Hailo is now available in Toronto, Dublin, Chicago and Boston.

INSTAGRAM

This app may be the most famous and most utilized travel application since it most people love to take pictures and upload them ASAP. Plus this simple application lets you retrace where you have been through global pinpointers via GPS.

XE CURRENCY

Lastly, what’s better than an up to date currency guide right? None! XE currency gives you live and daily accurate changes in world currency. This is very useful for travelling especially for travelers and businessmen who visits different countries on a regular basis. It also comes with a calculator and a save function for offline use as well.

Enjoying what the world has to offer has its benefits and risks and we have the power to make sure that we enjoy every bit of it safely. Countless applications still await us in the future but for now, let us utilize the best in the market for a safe and fun filled travel.

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