Malachy Kearns The Bodhran Maker
On an old Franciscan Monastery in Roundstone, developed by the Industrial Development Authority , Malachy Kearns, better known as Malachy Bodhr\xe1n amongst folk musicians, works at his craft of making Ireland's oldest product the Bodhr\xe1n (Bow-Rawn). It is an 18" one sided drum made from Goatskin treated by a traditional process. Goatskin has unique stretch properties. The Irish word 'Bodhar' means deaf or haunting. The Bodhr\xe1n began as a skin tray used for drawing turf (peat) on the bogs.It stirs the spirit when played with the "tipper" or beater hitting the skin in a racing style while a hand presses the back of the skin to vary the tone. Malachy is respected as a fine Bodhr\xe1n makers for 35 years.Most of the professional folk Musicians world wide use our Bodhr\xe1ns we are the only full time makers in the world. The skins are treated in hydrated lime mixed with ingredients that are the closely guarded secret of every Bodhr\xe1n Maker. They are soaked for 7-10 days in a solution of lime sulphide which softens the skin, de-hairs it and dissolves the fatty tissue. Sometimes the skin is buried in manure. It is finally stretched under tension onto a Birch frame. It is also glued on - this is important for Bodhr\xe1ns being sent abroad. It thus cannot "rip off" at the tack, traditionally the weakest part of the Bodhr\xe1n - when exposed to excess heat. The skin is stretched tight when new to give room for residual stretch.