Skip to main content

St. Patrick’s Day from Smithsonian Folkways

St. Patrick’s Day from Smithsonian Folkways | Smithsonian Folkways Recordings

Though St. Patrick’s Day began as a Catholic holiday honoring the feast day of one of Ireland’s most prominent patron saints, it has become recognized as an occasion to celebrate all Irish culture and traditions. Smithsonian Folkways features musical documentation of these traditions in releases from the 1960 As I Roved Out (Field Trip-Ireland) up through the 2008 The Sligo Indians and the 2013 Classic Celtic Music from Smithsonian Folkways albums. In the spirit of the holiday, “St. Patrick’s Day from Smithsonian Folkways” draws from the collection to highlight noted artists and varied styles, including singers in both English and Irish Gaelic, the sounds of uilleann pipes, and music you can’t help but dance to.