The world of instrument making in Ireland and the complex history of each instrument are revealed in this highly acclaimed 12-part music documentary series.

Twelve different instruments within the tradition have been chosen for the series. Ceird an Cheoil also features those which are not immediately associated with Irish traditional music, such as the piano, the bouzouki and the harmonica.

The series was produced by Belfast musician, Meabh O’Hare, herself an accomplished fiddle player. She made six of the programmes with Stirling Productions in Belfast and the other six in her own company, Sonas Productions. The programmes were originally funded by the Irish Language Broadcast Fund and TG4.

The series focuses on some of the top craftspeople in Ireland and explores the complex and dedicated lives these instrument makers lead in the quest for perfection. Throughout each programme there are performances and interviews from leading musicians, revealing their passion and love for their individual instrument.

The first programme looks at the accordion and features accordion maker Martin Connelly from Ennis, County Clare. A true character, he leads viewers through the history of the accordion and introduces viewers to great accordion players such as Joe Burke, Joe Cooley, Dermot Byrne and many more.

The piano is the focus of the second programme, which looks at the wide and varied history of the instrument within Irish Traditional music.  Instrument makers and repairers, Jeffers of Bandon, County Cork demonstrate the most intricate work in the restoration of the instrument. We also hear performances from its top exponents such as  Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, Geraldine Cotter, Peadar O’Riada and Caoimhín Vallely.  

The bouzouki programme features Joe Foley, one of Ireland's leading craftsmen, who has made instruments for some of the top bouzouki players. This episode follows Joe through the process of making a bouzouki; exploring the history of the instrument and its introduction to Irish traditional music through Johnny Moynihan. There are also performances from players such as Dónal Lunny, Andy Irvine, Brendan O’Reagan and Gary Ó Briain.

The harmonica – or mouth organ, is an instrument normally associated with jazz or blues music but has emerged in recent decades as a valued addition to the traditional Irish music session, thanks to a small handful of players. This programme looks at Harmonica maker and maestro player Brendan Power and we hear performances from John, and Pip Murphy; Mick Kinsella and Rick Epping.

The low whistle is a relatively new instrument to the tradition yet has seen great popularity within contemporary traditional music. This programme follows instrument maker Hammy Hamilton through the journey of designing and making a low whistle and we also have performances from players such as Cormac Breathnach, Emer Mayock and Brian Finnegan.

The guitar, like the piano and bouzouki, is also more known in Irish music as an accompanist’s instrument. Its style of playing within in the tradition has developed remarkably in a short space of time. In this programme we meet the renowned guitar maker Sam Irwin who makes guitars for top musicians all over the world. The programme also features from Steve Cooney, Ed Boyd and Arty McGlynn.