The bodhran is an iconic Irish musical instrument with a remarkable history and incredible complexity.

McNeela offers online lessons to teach you to play the bodhran, so you’ll soon be accompanying traditional Irish music sessions in no time. Our selection of bodhrans comes with both deep/shallow rim options for maximum sound expansion across a wider harmonic range. Our frame tapering reduces edge-loading for increased playback quality.

The Wave

Ronan first played and toured with Dead Can Dance as their percussionist before founding Kila as one of Ireland’s premier world music bands.

Kila has released many critically-acclaimed albums during this time and performed all around the globe, as well as providing music composition services to film and TV projects.

During the 1960’s and 70’s roots revival of Irish traditional music, bodhran became widely recognized. Due to this phenomenon, virtuoso playing styles emerged along with techniques typically associated with ethnic drumming traditions becoming widely utilized on bodhran.

Modern professional bodhrans often utilize mechanical tuning systems similar to those found on drum kits, enabling their skin to be tightened or loosened using a screwdriver without the effects of atmospheric conditions affecting tension of skin tension. Furthermore, electrical tape may be applied over the rim in order to reduce edge-loading and dampen unwanted overtones.

The Signature

The bodhran is an instrument beloved in Irish traditional music and modern genres alike, yet can also be played to enhance many genres of modern music. However, mastering its subtleties takes practice and patience; there are various methods available for learning this instrument such as watching videos online or taking lessons directly.

A bodhran is a frame drum with an iconic, traditional lambeg skin head. Using its special tuning system, players can manage tone and volume for optimal session playing.

Paraic McNeela has collaborated with various artists and musicians throughout his career as a bodhran maker, including Kila. Kila performed as part of Dead Can Dance’s tour crew around the globe. Additionally, McNeela has written multiple books on contemporary bodhran performance which can be purchased via his website as well as two instruction DVDs that teach this instrument.

The Classic

Bodhrans have been part of Irish traditional music’s revival since the 1960s. But it wasn’t until the 70s that world-renowned players such as Boys of the Lough’s Robin Morton, Peadar Mercier of The Chieftains and Christy Moore from Planxty pushed playing techniques further afield – an event known as second wave roots revival that helped establish it globally as an instrument.

The Bodhran is a circular frame containing a goatskin head. To play it, one strikes it with a small wooden stick known as a Bodhran Beater/Tipper/Cipin, which may vary in length, weight and material depending on player preference.

McNeela Instruments signature classic deep rim bodhran is handcrafted using Lambeg or Vellum goatskin for an unforgettable musical experience. Equipped with an 8 point hand tuning system for total customization, natural goatskin has variations in skin thickness, surface details and colour which add character and make your drum one-of-a-kind.

The Beginner

Paraic McNeela, an expert bodhran maker, has joined us in providing this fantastic free lesson to beginners looking to start playing and caring for their bodhrans. In this half hour video lesson you’ll learn all the fundamentals of playing and maintaining a bodhran.

Non tunable bodhrans make great starter drums, but for serious players looking to take their playing to the next level we highly suggest investing in a tuneable bodhran. Tuneable bodhrans utilize an adjustable tension system, giving you complete control over how it sounds and impacts its tone.

McNeela Bodhran offers tunable bodhrans featuring Lambeg or Vellum goatskin for optimal sound production, along with deep rim cutouts to make playing for long periods more comfortable – especially important for new or younger players.

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