You don't just hit it, one of the reasons that Bodhrans have such a bad name is that some people do just that, hit them. Played properly they are a wonderful sensitive percussion instrument that should keep the rest of the players in time. By beating them in different places or by incresing/decreasing pressure on the skin using the palm of the hand to apply tension a good Bodhran player can create glorious nuances of sound.
Sadly most people just beat the S H one T out of them.

Sweetfire, you still have exams to come, get some revising done !