Bodhran Drum, Ireland, 1500 CE
by Meagan Sarah Stefanow '98
There is not a great deal of information about the bodhran and
its history, probably because the drum hasn't really changed much over time. It resembles
a large tambourine without the jingling parts and has a rather deep and somber sound. The
word bodhran in Irish for deaf. It is a folk instrument that was originally beaten with one
hand, but eventually a cipin, a small beater, was used to play the bodhran.