Lambeg drum

An Orange Order Lambeg drumming contest in Coagh, County Tyrone, in 2002.
Percussion instrument
Other names	Lambeg, tibbies, slashers, killymans
Classification	Membranophone Struck membranophone Directly struck membranophones
Hornbostel–Sachs classification	211.2121 (single cylindrical drum with two usable membranes)
Related instruments
bass drum, davul, gran cassa

A Lambeg drum is a large drum, beaten with curved malacca canes.[1] It is used primarily in Northern Ireland by Unionists and the Orange Order traditionally in street parades held in the summer, particularly on and around 12 July ("The Twelfth").[2] The weight of the drum means that it had been replaced with smaller replicas for most parades, but the full-sized instrument has started to reappear in recent years, usually on floats.[3][4] It is also used by the Ancient Order of Hibernians, having historical significance for parts of the nationalist community, as well.[5]

The Lambeg drum is, together with the bagpipe, one of the loudest acoustic instruments in the world, frequently reaching over 120 dB.[6] It measures approximately 3 feet 1⁄4 inch (92.1 cm) in diameter and 2 feet (61 cm) deep, and weighs 35–40 pounds (16–18 kg). Usually it is carried by the drummer while marching, using a neck harness.[7]

The origin of the Lambeg is unclear.[8] It is commonly believed to have come to Ulster with English settlers in the early-mid-17th century. Other accounts state that it came to Ireland with the Duke of Schomberg's men of the army of William of Orange during the Williamite war. Having its roots in 17th-century European military instruments, it was originally smaller. Traditionally it was accompanied by the shrill fife, a small transverse flute similar to the piccolo. Over time, the drum grew in size through emulousness between players. The drum eventually reached such a size that the fifes were drowned out. Today, the fife and the Lambeg together are the exception, rather than the norm in parades; the combination is most common in County Antrim. Most of the original Ulster fifers were of Flemish descent. A number of French Huguenots had followed William's army into Ireland and the Flemish, English and Scottish Protestant groups had united into the Orange Order.[9]

The name comes from the village of Lambeg, County Antrim, which is situated ten miles southwest of Belfast and two miles from Lisburn.[10]Tradition has it that it was in the Lambeg area that the instrument was first played with canes. The drum is sometimes also called "tibbies", "slashers" or "killymans".[11]

The Lambeg drum's shell is generally made of oak. Lambeg drum heads are made from goat skins, they are very thin and strong, and of even thickness and consistency as far as possible.[12] A Lambeg skin will also receive "special" treatment that is a secret to each maker. Because of their qualities they are also sometimes used for smaller drums such as bodhráns.[13]

The Lambegs are different from other large drums in the quality of their tone.[14] The thin heads are pulled tight until the tone is bright and hard. There are no mechanical screws on the drums. The heads are held on with a wooden rim and, traditionally, linen ropes.[15]

The Lambeg drum's unique acoustic power caught the attention of Kate Bush, who purchased a custom drum from maker William Hewitt in Sandy Row, Belfast, during the 1980s.[16][17] The Lambeg loud and atmospheric sound was used on her hit "Running Up That Hill". The Lambeg was also used on the Hounds of Love album, specifically on the track "Jig of Life", to create a visceral and atmospheric style.[18]

In September 2021, the largest gathering of the Lambeg took place at the Parliament Buildings, Stormont, to mark the centenary of Northern Ireland.[19][20] Organized by the South Ulster Drumming Association alongside the Ulster-Scots Agency, the "Drums for Ulster" event featured 150 Lambeg drums played simultaneously on the mile-long Prince of Wales Avenue.[21] Tens of thousands of Orangemen were in attendance for the centenary parade, with a large crowd of spectators of over 100,000.[22]

In March 2022, the inaugural Sir Edward Carson Memorial drumming match was held in Dublin, marking the first time a traditional Lambeg drumming contest was staged in the city. Organised by the South Ulster Drumming Association, the event took place on Northumberland Road and featured drummers from Dublin, Wicklow, and South Ulster.[23][24] Organizers noted that while Lambegs had previously been displayed in the city for limited exhibitions, this event followed traditional competitive "match" formats where judges mark the instruments based on their specific note and tone rather than rhythm or decoration.[25]

• Different Drums (Northern Irish group that uniquely combine the drums of both communities)
• "The Tradition of the Lambeg Drum in Ireland"
• "Lambeg Drum" by Paul Marshall, from Drum Dojo site
• Video clips of Lambeg drums
• Video clips of the Ulster-Scots eXperience playing Lambeg drums
• "Luton and Bedford Lambeg Drumming Club, England"
• Drumming match at Slatt, Ballymena
• Ulster-Scots Agency feature on Lambeg Drum