Tin Whistle (An Fheadóg Stáin)

A simple six-holed woodwind instrument, iconic in Irish folk music.

The Tin Whistle (or penny whistle) is perhaps the most accessible and recognizable instrument in Irish music. It is a simple six-holed woodwind instrument, traditionally made of tin with a plastic mouthpiece, though high-end whistles are made from various metals and woods.

Despite its simplicity and low cost, the tin whistle is capable of incredible nuance and speed. In the hands of a master, it can produce the complex ornamentation—cuts, rolls, and crans—that define Irish traditional music.

It gained mass popularity in the 19th century as a cheap, mass-produced instrument (hence "penny whistle"), allowing even the poorest families to make music. It remains the starting point for many Irish musicians.