St. Patrick’s Day offers an excellent opportunity to introduce music classes to the rich musical heritage of Ireland. These three ideas for a comprehensive St Patrick’s day Music lesson plan incorporate research on traditional Irish instruments, interactive performance of a classic Irish folk song, and appreciation of contemporary Irish music through the study of The Corrs. You may choose to do one of these activities, or all three! It is up to you!

St. Patrick’s Day, celebrated annually on March 17th, commemorates Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who lived during the 5th century. Originally a religious feast day marking the anniversary of Saint Patrick’s death, it has evolved into a global celebration of Irish culture. Saint Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland and, according to legend, driving all the snakes from the island (though this is widely understood to be a metaphor for his eradication of pagan beliefs).

The shamrock, now an iconic symbol of the holiday, was reportedly used by Saint Patrick to explain the Holy Trinity. In Ireland, the day traditionally began as a religious observance, but has expanded to include parades, festivals, céilithe (traditional Irish social gatherings with music and dancing), and the wearing of green attire and shamrocks. When Irish immigrants brought their traditions to America and other countries, St. Patrick’s Day transformed into a broader celebration of Irish heritage and culture, where music has always played a central role.

Begin by discussing the significance of St. Patrick’s Day and its cultural importance in Ireland and around the world. Explain that music plays a central role in Irish celebrations and cultural identity. Below is a brief video clip of traditional Irish music being performed to set the tone and spark interest.

1. Exploring traditional Irish instruments
2. Learning and performing “The Rattlin’ Bog”
3. Discovering contemporary Irish music through The Corrs

Preparation Materials

• Images or videos of traditional Irish instruments
• Information about each instrument
• If possible, examples of instruments for demonstration

1. Bodhrán (pronounced “bow-rawn”)

• A frame drum made with a wooden body and a goatskin head
• Played with a double-headed stick called a “tipper” or “beater”
• Serves as the rhythmic heartbeat of traditional Irish music

2. Tin Whistle

• Also known as the penny whistle
• A simple six-holed woodwind instrument
• Made of metal or wood
• One of the most accessible Irish instruments for beginners

3. Uilleann Pipes

• Complex bagpipes unique to Ireland
• Bellows-blown (rather than mouth-blown) pipes with a softer sound than Scottish bagpipes
• Include a chanter, drones, and regulators
• Known for their ability to play staccato notes and harmonies

4. Celtic Harp

• Ireland’s national emblem
• Wire-strung or nylon-strung
• Used for both accompaniment and melody
• Historical significance in Irish culture and mythology

5. Fiddle

• Physically the same as a violin but played differently
• Central to Irish dance music
• Distinctive ornamentation techniques including rolls, cuts, and slides
• Regional playing styles (Donegal, Sligo, Clare)

6. Accordion and Concertina

• Button accordions became popular in Irish music in the 20th century
• The concertina (particularly the Anglo system) is smaller and produces a more crisp sound
• Both add harmonic richness to ensemble playing

Click here to play the interactive St Patrick’s day matching game from the Fun Music Company. This game features all the instruments above, where students can play each of the sounds and match the sound to the image.

The Rattlin’ Bog is an excellent choice for a St. Patrick’s Day lesson as it’s a traditional Irish folk song with a cumulative structure that makes it engaging and accessible for students of various ages.

About the Song

• A traditional Irish folk song (with variants in many cultures)
• Cumulative structure with each verse building on previous verses
• Fast-paced and rhythmic, making it exciting to perform
• Teaches sequencing and memory skills

Teaching Approach

Introduction (5 minutes)

1. Explain the song’s origin and structure
2. Discuss what a bog is (a wetland ecosystem) and its significance in Ireland
3. Show how cumulative songs work as memory devices in oral tradition

Learning the Basic Pattern (10 minutes)

1. Start with the chorus and first verse at a slow tempo
2. Teach the melody line first without the cumulative elements
3. Gradually increase the tempo as students become comfortable

Adding Instrumentation (15 minutes)

1. Incorporate simple percussion (bodhrán if available, or substitutes like frame drums)
2. Add untuned percussion parts found in the Fun Music Comapany arrangement available here
3. Add melodic instruments for accompaniment, such as xylophones, boomwhackers or chime bars

Performance Practice (10 minutes)

1. Incorporate dynamics to build excitement as verses accumulate
2. Consider adding simple choreography or hand movements
3. Create a performance structure with solos, group sections, and instrumental breaks

Modifications for Different Age Groups

Younger students: Focus on fewer cumulative elements and more movement
Middle grades: Full song with instrumental accompaniment
Older students: Add harmony parts and more complex arrangements

Click here to view the play-along video of “The rattlin’ bog” from the Fun Music Company. Click the link below and bookmark the page below to use in the classroom.

The Irish band The Corrs provide an excellent bridge between traditional Irish music and contemporary pop, showing students how cultural traditions evolve and remain relevant.

Background Information on The Corrs

1. Band Formation and Members

• Siblings from Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland: Andrea (lead vocals, tin whistle), Sharon (violin, vocals), Caroline (drums, bodhrán, vocals), and Jim Corr (guitar, keyboards, vocals)
• Formed in 1990Blend traditional Irish music with pop/rock elements
• Multi-instrumentalists who showcase traditional Irish instruments in a modern context

2. Musical Style and Influence

• Fusion of Celtic folk music with contemporary pop/rock
• Incorporation of traditional instruments alongside modern ones
• Harmonies reflecting Irish musical traditions
• Evolution of their sound through different albums

3. Cultural Impact

• International success bringing Irish music to global audiences
• Revitalizing interest in traditional Irish music among younger generations
• Representing Ireland’s cultural heritage on the world stage
• Collaborations with traditional Irish musicians

As our music curriculum members are aware, the Fun Music Company CONNECT lessons step through a consistent, logical progression in every lesson, which develops for each grade. There are 20 of these lessons in every grade of our program, meaning that members have access to 140 of these lessons.

Below is a lesson from our Grade 5 Music curriculum about the Corrs and their song “Breathless”

Whichever of these activities you include, you can bring it together by discussing:

• The continuity between traditional instruments, folk songs, and contemporary Irish music
• How cultural traditions evolve while maintaining their distinctive characteristics
• The role of music in preserving and celebrating cultural heritage

Have students reflect on what they’ve learned by writing a brief response about their favorite aspect of Irish music, or discussing how learning about another culture’s music helps us understand our own musical traditions better.

These St. Patrick’s Day music lesson ideas do more than celebrate the holiday. They help students explore Irish musical heritage, build performance skills, and understand how traditional music continues to evolve. Through these activities, students can connect with history while appreciating the role of Irish music today.”

It includes:

• 40 pre-programmed lessons for every grade from K-6.
• Complete SING & PLAY arrangements with singing, untuned and tuned percussion.
• 20 unique COMPOSE lessons in every grade.
• Structured assessments matching curriculum requirements.

So yes, you can create your own music appreciation curriculum for primary or elementary school.

This page has given you many insights on how to do that. However, if you don’t have time, the Fun Music Company Music Curriculum will give you a head start. As well as music listening, you’ll have the rest of your curriculum covered as well!