The origin of bluegrass music can be traced to the people who migrated to America in the 1600s from Ireland, Scotland, and England and brought with them basic styles of music that are generally considered to be the roots of modern bluegrass music. 

The presbyterians led by the Reverend  James McGregor in the 1718 migration  brought with them their hyms and rhymes and it is easy to imagine how singing  may have helped to sustain them  during their perilous journey to the new world.

 

 In the 18th and 19th century settlers began to move south  into North and South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia where  they wrote songs about daily life in the new land.  Since most of these people lived in remote areas, many of the songs reflected life on the farm or in the hills.  This music was often referred to as country, hillbilly, or mountain music, and its development owes much to the gospel music sung and played by Scots Irish settlers.

 

The American Ensemble Apollos Fire appeared at Belfast Castle to celebrate some of this musical culture