One other thing, you do not always have to use a cipin, you can get some nice soft sounds by using the knuckle finger, either middle or index is what I use. You can also use this as a method of getting a rythm without having to use cipin if you are not sure. Once you have the basic hand movement the use of the cipin can follow.

Ignore the jibes, we bodhran players have to be more thick skinned than our instruments on many occasions. But it is good advice to know when not to play.