The Irish Bodhran

Big Bang Festival of Rhythm

Mel Mercier

Suitable for beginners and improvers, this is a rare opportunity to learn from not only a great player, but a distinguished ethnomusicologist and composer whose own life story has been enmeshed in the evolution of the instrument. Mel’s Father Paedar was the original bodhran player with Ceoltóirí Chualann (later The Chieftains), who first brought the bodhran onto the stage in traditional Irish music in the 1960s. Mel continued in his father’s trailblazing role with the bodhran, most memorably in musical partnership with the late great musical pioneer Professor Micheál O Súilleabháin.

Presented by Big Bang Festival of Rhythm in Association with NCH
Sponored by Dublin City Council