The Irish Concertina

The Irish concertina is a small free-reed instrument hexagonal in shape, and bellows-blown, with one reed per note. The concertina used in Irish traditional music is the Anglo-model, which is single-action - each button has a different note on push and pull.

History of the Concertina

The concertina was developed by English maker Wheatstone in 1829. The initial English model was double-action, and became popular with the upper classes in England for casual music-making, but was unsuited to the rhythms of Irish music. The “German” concertina was developed around the same time, after which English makers improved the German model, calling it the Anglo-German, or simply Anglo, Concertina. It is this instrument that was adopted by Irish musicians, with models by makers such as Jeffries and Wheatstone still played today.

The instrument became popular with mass production, as it was robust and affordable; it was also sought after for house dances, as it was able to make itself heard over the dancers.

Playing the Concertina

The concertina used in Irish traditional music has two rows of 15 buttons on each side, each button playing two notes.

The  Concertina in Clare

The concertina became popular all over Ireland, but remains associated with the traditional music of County Clare to this day, gaining in popularity with events such as Eigse Mrs Crotty and the Willie Clancy Summer School helping in its popularity. Many great concertina players are from County Clare, such as Mrs Crotty, Kitty Hayes, Chris Droney and Noel Hill.
Clare concertina recordings - ITMA

Concertina Players

Noel Hill
Chris Droney
Kitty Hayes
Padraig Rynne
Micheal O’Raghaillaigh
Mrs Crotty

More Information

Anglo Concertina Fingering Chart

Concertina Tunes

Kitty Hayes - Two Reels

Concertina workshop with Tradschool