The tambour, tambourin (no e) and bodhran are frame drums comporable to frame drums from around the world. The jingles on the tambourine (with an e) are a *relatively* recent addition in a structured music sense. (Used to play percussion in a symphony when in college/university... actually took lessons on playing the tambourine...)

The age and lineage of the bodhran is, frankly, indefinite. I've seen scholarly studies going both ways about "it is centuries old" and "it is recent". What is certain is that it was revived, knowingly, in the '50's. I know SOME hard-core traditionalists who swear that the bodhran has no place in true tradtional Irish music, and none at all in Scottish music. Of course, they also despise other recent innovations - the guitar, piano and button accordions and keyed flutes.

I suspect it is because most of them are academic types who dislike the rural associations with the drum - e.g., wren boys.

Ah well - I used to be an academic type, too, then quit working for universities after 6 years and went back to the real world.

Ah well -

Pete