Irish traditional music lifts the spirits of all who hear it, and performing it is even more joyful. This session will provide a cultural backdrop for Ireland and ideas on how to authentically incorporate the Irish instrumental music tradition in your classroom. Participants will play the bodhrán, a traditional Irish frame drum, to accompany traditional dance tunes (instruments will be provided) and come away with practical activities for incorporating Irish music into schools. This is the first of two sessions on traditional Irish music. Participants of this session will have an opportunity to play bodhrán to accompany the next session, “A Céilí in the Classroom! An Exploration of Traditional Irish Music and Dance.â€