St. Patrick’s Day is a time when many embrace their so-called Irish roots, whether it’s by drinking green beer, wearing green clothing, or enjoying Irish Celtic music. In Burk’s Falls, Ontario, one man has found a unique way to celebrate his Irish heritage through the art of crafting traditional Irish drums.
Russell Duke, the owner of Bridget Drums—named in honor of his mother—spends his free time crafting handcrafted Irish drums when he’s not on duty as an Ontario Provincial Police officer.
Duke, who grew up in Newfoundland, said that he received his first drum as a teenager. However, he quickly realized it wasn’t of the quality he desired. This led him to make a promise to himself to create a better drum. Over time, his skills improved, and he eventually perfected his craft.
“The first one was okay. The second one I sold to an Irish guy and thought, ‘Maybe I’m onto something here.’ I kind of went from there. It kind of evolved,” Duke explained.
After moving to Ontario, Duke became a cabinet maker. His love for woodworking and drumming eventually merged, inspiring him to start Bridget Drums.
Duke emphasized that each drum is as unique as the player it’s made for. The process begins with crafting a shell from birch wood, followed by applying veneers. He uses aircraft-grade powder-coated aluminum for the tuning system and finishes it with goat skin. It typically takes him about a week to complete each drum.
As demand for his drums grew, so did his business. Distributors soon approached Duke, eager to sell his bodhrans in stores across Canada. He shared that offers to expand his sales across North America and internationally soon followed.
Now with 28 years of experience, Duke has sold “thousands and thousands” of custom-made drums. He frequently sees his instruments featured in concerts or on YouTube.
“It just gives me serenity as I’m building these things,” Duke said. “To see these things out there and people enjoying them really warms my heart.”
Duke’s passion for Irish drums allows him to reconnect with his youth. Historically, these drums were used by clans as battle drums to set the rhythm for marching. Today, the bodhran is a prominent feature in Celtic and East Coast music.
“I would say around the 60s, they really started becoming popular here,” Duke explained. “Certainly in Ireland, but it’s now a world percussion instrument. You can hear them in all types of music nowadays.”
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