Acknowledgements

I would like to thank all the staff at the Irish World Academy of Music and Dance in the University of Limerick for their help and expertise throughout the course of my studies there. In particular I would like to thank my supervisor for this project, Dr. Sandra Joyce, along with Dr. Niall Keegan, Dr. Colin Quigley, Dr Oscar Mascareñas, Prof. Helen Phelan, Dr. Orfhlaith Ní Bhriain and Jim Higgins, all of whom provided me with valuable insights which informed this project.


I would like to thank Colm Murphy for his kind permission to use examples of his self-developed bodhrán notation.


I would like to thank my parents Tim and Maura for all their help and support through the years, along with my siblings Dónal, Pat and Tríona. A special thanks also to my nephew Seán Delaney for accompanying me for my final performance, as well as my other nieces and nephews whose company (and music!) I enjoy so much: thank you Cian, Caoimhe, Gormfhlaith and Amhlaoibh!


Finally, a big thanks to all the musicians who I have played with and learned from over the years.