The Ancient Music of Ireland

Rhiannon ~ Ancient Music of Ireland

Sabine & Dick Glasgow have been playing Ancient Music

in costume now, for almost 20 years.

Here they are, with their son Kevin, at an early gig in Dublin Castle.

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Since this photograph was taken, they have systematically acquired a number of

more appropriate instruments, which help to create a far more authentic sound.
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They regularly provide suitable music for a wide variety of historic reenactment events,

including Medieval Banquets, Weddings, Jousting Tournaments,

as well as having been involved in a number of Film & TV productions.
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Each year they provide period music in costume for the NI DOE at a number of their historic monuments, including Dunluce Castle & Carrickfergus Castle.
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They also play in costume each year for European Heritage Open Day
at the North Down Museum

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Lyre to Laptop
is their hands on presentations for schools & adult groups,
on the history of musical instruments.

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To learn more .... read on.

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Playing in Ireland's Castles

Carrickfergus Castle

Co. Antrim

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Playing in the Banquet Hall

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Playing Hammered Dulcimer at the Castle entrance for the annual Medieval Festival.

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Playing for a Medieval Banquet

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Dunluce Castle

Co. Antrim

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With our replica period tent at Dunluce Castle.

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In front of our tent, playing for the regular Event Day.

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Playing Hurdy Gurdy

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Tully Castle

Co Fermanagh

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Playing Hammered Dulcimer in the Castle Cottage

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Playing harp in the Castle Cottage

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Crom Castle

Co Fermanagh

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Playing with friends for a Jousting Tournament.

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Our Musical Instruments

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These are just some of the replica period instruments in our collection.

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Our Lyre

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Our Memling Fiddle

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Our Rebec
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Our Crumhorn

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Our Shawm

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Our Gemshorn

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Our little Brass Strung Knee Harp

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Our Gothic Harp, made by Early Music

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Our Bladder Pipe

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We have a number of sets of more unusual Bagpipes,

including these Northumbrian Pipes.

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We have both Mouth Blown Leicestershire Smallpipes

& Bellows Blown sets.

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Our Hurdy Gurdy

This is my Colson Model Hurdy Gurdy, made by Chris Allen

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Our Oakwood Hammered Dulcimer
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Our Nyckelharpa

This Nyckelharpa was made in Sweden by Olle Plahn
It has a wonderful olde world sound & is just ideal for playing ancient music.
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Here we are, playing Medieval Pipes & Nyckelharpa at

Dunluce Castle, in Co. Antrim

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Here's a of video, accompanied by the
unmistakable sound of the Nyckelharpa.

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Two Nyckelharpor in Bushmills

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If you enjoyed that, here's another:
A Nyckelharpa comes to Ireland

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Costume Music through the ages

We are happy to dress in costume for any period.

From Viking & Medieval through to more recent times.

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In this photo, we were playing in the old History Park near Omagh.

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Sadly the History Park is now closed, but it was indeed a wonderful venue,

for all ages and proved to be a brilliant place for anyone filming period pieces

for TV, which was what we were doing in this photo.

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When part of a Medieval Village, we always take our own replica

period Tent, which gives us lots of room to display & demonstrate our instruments

& with the awning, even on a wet day, folks can stand inside & enjoy the music.

Playing Pipe & Viol.

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Playing hammered Dulcimer.

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Playing Knee Harp.

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Playing Hurdy Gurdy.

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Even our dogs are happy to get into the spirit of the event

& dress up too, to be involved in our demonstrations.

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For the annual period Wedding Days, at the Ulster American Folk Park,

we of course have to wear slightly later period costume.

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Playing for historic Weddings at the Folk Park is always great fun.

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Wedding grub is always a bonus.

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Of course, every good wedding needs a Fiddle Player.

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At the Folk Park, you just never know who you are going to be.

One time we might be American Pioneers.

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The next time we might be based a little closer to home.

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Playing for a period Wedding Ceili in the Ulster American Folk Park.

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I can never understand why more musicians don't get involved

in getting dressed up for costume music. I suspect it's because they take themselves far too seriously.

At the end of the day, if music is not about fun,

then I reckon your missing the point.

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Mandragora have given costumed musical presentations, for a number of years now, to schools & adult groups on the history & development of traditional musical instruments, featuring many of their more unusual instruments.

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