To most individuals Irish music brings a certain type of music to mind, jigs, reels hornpipes various types of dancing music. It may also bring to mind the common pub songs regarding war, love, sadness and of course emigration. Turlough O'carolan introduced a different flavor of Irish music that in some ways is still seen today. His music contains the comman elements of Irish music but adds the more classical feel that was present in continental Europe at that time, especially Italy.

Historical:

O'Carolan was born in 1670, in Nobber, County Meath Ireland. His father, was a blacksmith by trade, who entered into the household of an aristocratic family called MacDermott Roe. The O'Carolan's were a typical, poor, Catholic, Irish speaking family. The expectations for O'Carolan would be to follow in the same, simple existance as his father, learning the trade and continueing to be poor. But, at the age of eighteen, he was stricken with smallpox, which caused his complete blindness. This horrific event actually was the trigger for O'Carolans importance to Music.

After being blinded, Mrs. MacDermott Roe took it upon herself to educate O'Carolan. She actually obligated him to be instructed as a Harpist. The Harpist in Ireland has always been held in great esteem throughout Irish history. They inherited he prestige of the bards from ancient times. Ancient Harpists in Ireland were typically aligned with certain ruling families and because of that, they commanded a great deal of respect other muscians, especially the poor fiddle playing types would not have been granted.