What is Celtic Music?
The term ‘Celtic music’ is a rather loose one; for the purpose of Ceolas, it covers the traditional music of the Celtic countries – Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Brittany (in France), Galicia (in Spain) and areas which have come under their influence, such as the U.S. and the maritime provinces of Canada, as well as some newer music based on the tradition of these countries. The term is somewhat controversial. For starters, the Celts as an identifiable race are long gone, there are large variations in traditional music among the different countries, and many of the similarities that do exist are due to more recent influences. There is also the notion that ‘Celtic’ implies Celtic mysticism and a particular influence in new-age music which has little to do with traditional music. In general, the strongest connections are between the Irish and Scottish traditions and it is on these that Ceolas concentrates. Breton musicians frequently play Irish or Scottish music and at least one modern Galic
