The Dublin coastal town of Dun Laoghaire was taken over by a unique breed of musician last month for Ireland’s annual ukulele festival, the Ukulele Hooley.
Over the weekend of 18 and 19 August, Dun Laoghaire was a meeting point for a colourfully dressed assortment, with Hawaiian shirts, floral garlands and, of course, the distinctive-sounding ukuleles in tow.
This mini-guitar has always been associated with Hawaii, but is actually not native to the Pacific islands: the ukulele was first brought there by Portuguese immigrants in the late 19th century.
Initially known as a machete, it soon became famous among locals, who gave it the name ukulele, which means ‘jumping flea’ in Hawaiian.
The small size, low cost and ease of learning to play helped spread the ukulele phenomenon across North America and Europe – even Marilyn Monroe played a ‘uke’ in the classic 1959 comedy Some Like It Hot.
Nowadays, even if the ukulele is not as famous or respected as its bigger cousin the guitar, it has inspired a fervent subculture with aficionados all around the world, the Emerald Isle included.
This was the third year that the Ukulele Hooley was hosted in Dun Laoghaire and it was an enjoyable weekend, thanks in part to the mild summer weather.
The two-day programme included a beginners and children’s workshop, a free day-long concert an open mic which gave the opportunity to anybody to go on stage and sing a song.
Some players were really good, some others a bit out of tune, but everybody there was happy to listen to the chiming strings of the ‘jumping flea’.
By Noemi Lavorato
