Gifty Lawson Kearns, General Manager and wife of Malachy Kearns

The skins are treated in hydrated lime mixed with ingredients that are the closely guarded secret of every Bodhrán 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 Bodhráns being sent abroad. It thus cannot "rip off" at the tack, traditionally the weakest part of the Bodhrán - when exposed to excess heat. The skin is stretched tight when new to give room for residual stretch.

In the hands of a skilled player the Bodhrán can be a subtle and exciting instrument - striking the skin in a variety of ways, one hand tucked in behind the skin, pressing and moving to vary the colour and intensity of the sound. The side of the beater is also used to good effect on the wooden rim. Genuine Goatskin is a natural 'live' material, expands and contracts slightly with changing temperatures, it has an infinite variety of subtle 'veining' and it's rich lustre becomes more beautiful with age.