Brewster Ladies' Library Virtual: The History of Music in Ireland with Sean Murphy

This virtual presentation will take a look at the history of Irish music derived from ancient manuscripts, archaeological findings, and historical records from the 5th century to the current day.

You will hear of the place that music occupied in ancient Celtic ceremonies, and its relationship to the social and legal norms of ancient Celtic society.

You will learn of the growing number of instruments that have been discovered in Ireland that are testimony to the musical heritage that has developed over time. Some of the findings were accidental and others the result of archaeological research.

The Celtic revival starting in the late 19th century will be outlined and will provide a basis for understanding the remarkable level of interest and participation in Irish music that provides us all, players and listeners, with such joy today.

Offered in partnership with the Centerville and Eldredge Public Libraries.

About the Presenter

Sean Murphy was born and reared in Dublin and came to live on Cape Cod in 2005. He has a passion for his homeland and loves to share his knowledge and interest about his heritage through classes, workshops and conversation. He worked as a math teacher in public schools until he retired in 2017.

He is a teacher of Irish history, music, and dance. Over the past fifteen years he has taught courses at the Irish Cultural Center of New England in Canton, Cape Cod Sons of Erin, Cape Cod Cultural Center, the Cotuit Center for the Arts, and at venues on Nantucket.

Since the outbreak of the Covid 19 pandemic, he has been presenting his courses online using Zoom, YouTube, and Facebook.

His interest in Irish history and culture stems from his involvement in a wide range of community activities in Ireland starting in the late 60s. In 1998 he was elected as the representative of the community and voluntary sector on the Dublin City Development Board that produced the strategic Plan "Dublin: A City of Possibilities 2001-2012."

In 2014 and 2019 he was awarded the Thomas P McCann "Altruism Award" trophy by the Cape Cod St. Patrick's Day Committee for his "support and commitment to the Culture and

Heritage of Ireland and its people."

He leads a traditional Irish music session in O’Shea’s Old Inne in West Dennis every Sunday night.

He speaks on Irish cultural, historic, and general issues at libraries, at private and community events, and in recent years on cruises.

Sean Murphy has a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree from Trinity College Dublin's department of Economic and Social Studies; a BSC in Mathematics and Physics from London University; and qualified as a Management Accountant with the Dublin Business School. He is a nationally certified Business Mentor.

He has developed a comprehensive Irish history program that has two elements: a chronological history of Ireland from its formation as a physical entity to the present day, and a history of each of the 32 counties in Ireland.