Clinton - not so quick - mine are stained with the blood of people who tell bodhran jokes. Shield? You bet. Metaphorical maybe but I have to admit to not banging it with a sword (or pen-knife).

Now the real reason I am posting, I have just got the Pete McCarthy book "the Road to McCarthy". His chapter on Monserrat refers to "a percussion instrument related to the bodhran" so no more info than the program. However I have written to him, snail mail preferred despite the website http://www.petemccarthy.co.uk

I will post any info he offers. watch this space.....

let's see where it leads us.