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Ceol Rince na hÉireann
Volume I

NÓTAÍ    I dTAOBH NA bhFONN [NOTES CONCERNING THE TUNES]
1. Cailleach an Túirne ["The Hag of the Spinning Wheel"]: First printed by Rutherford about the year 1756 in his third volume of the "Compleat Collection of 200 of the most celebrated Country Dances" (106). He called it The Wild Irishman. Aird called it Norickystie ("A Selection of Scottish, English, Irish and Foreign Airs", 1,143) (c.1782) and a translation of that name, Norah with the Purse, was Bunting's title in his third collection (1840). Thomas Moore wrote Wreathe the Bowl to this air. The Road to Lurgan in O'Neill (O'N i, 94) is a poor version of it. Kiss me, darling is another O'Neill version in "Music of Ireland" (920). O'Neill reprinted the version of the air, The Wild Irishman, which was published in "Hibernian Muse" (c.1787) (O'N iii, 109). "Cailín A' Tuirna" (sic) is the title in "Irish Uilleann Pipes" published by T. Crowley in Cork (c.1934). Goodman's title is "Máire an Phórtair" (G i, p34). The Maid of the Spinning Wheel is the usual title among musicians now.

[from Sean Potts, pipes]

2. Pléaraca na Céise [The Humours of Kesh; as Jackson's Jig, CRÉ III, 17]: The first part of this jig is the same as the first part of O'Neill's The Gudgeon of Maurice's Car (O'N i, 288).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

3. Carraig an tSoip: Walsh called this The Cook in the Kitchen. O'Neill has a version, The Angry Peeler (O'N i, 251). Another version is The Boys of Thomastown (no. 14 here). Goodman's title is The Drunken Gauger (G i, p70).

[from Joseph Walsh, pipes]

4. Pingneacha Rua agus Prás [Coppers and Brass]: Larry Grogan is the original version in the books. This Grogan was a gentleman piper who lived in the first half of the 18th century in Wexford. This jig was first published (before 1736) by John Walsh in "Country Dances Book the Second" (p23).

The tune (or the first part) is the same as Aird's The Lasses of Melross (ii, 92), but the second parts are different. O'Neill has a poor version called Hartigan's Fancy. He has another version called Larry Grogan and part of this jig is the turn or second part of Finerty's Frolic. Other names that O'Neill has for it are By your leave, Larry Grogan, Little Fanny's Fancy and The County Limerick Buckhunt (O'N i, 3, 132 and 231 respectively). The Waves of Tramore is the title of another version in "Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody" (139). Green Sleeves is the name of the version published by Joyce (J ii, 142). It is also called The Humours of Ennistymon, The Humours of Miltown and Lynn's Favourite. Coppers and Brass is the usual title in English. [Paddy's the Boy in Ryan's Mammoth Collection, p82.]

[from John Potts, pipes]

5. Gleanntán na Samhaircíní [The Primrose Glen]: This jig is sometimes incorrectly called The Lark on the Strand. There is a version in "Irish Folk Dance Music" by J. [Jerry] O'Brien, published in Roxbury, Mass., U.S.A. [1952]. Wicky Sears is O'Brien's title (123).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

6. Tolladh an Leathair [Boring the Leather]: O'Neill has four version of this air. The Humours of Ayle House, The Kilfinane Jig, Come with me now and When you go home (O'N i, 261, 273, 312 and 334). The ending is wrong in the second and third of these and the key signature is incorrect in all of them. The Connaughtman is Levey's title (L i, 55) and Roche's is The Shoemaker's Fancy (R i, 93). Petrie has three versions but has no name for any of them (P iii, 964/6). Boring the Leather is Goodman's title (G iii, p99). The piper himself called it Down the Back Lane.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

7. An Fhuiseog ar an Trá [The Lark on the Strand]: This is the correct "Lark", according to the people of Sligo anyhow, and it is the title of a not very good setting in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (137). This jig is similar to The Stolen Purse (O'N iii, 160). The latter was adapted from The Old Woman Lamenting Her Empty Purse.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

8. Bruacha Thalamh an Éisc [The Banks of Newfoundland]: There is a setting of this in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (129).

[ from John Brophy, accordion]

9. Cathaoir an Phíobaire [The Piper's Chair]: Brogan got this from piper Willie Clancy. It was first published by Petrie as The Catholic Boys (P i, p144). He got it from the Lord Chief Baron of Ireland[1] on 15 January 1852. Petrie said that the old Irish name was lost but this was the name that Clancy had on it. Stanford did not bother giving any name at all to it (P iii, 282). Roche also calls it The Catholic Boys in a setting which is identical, more or less, to Petrie's (R iii, 91).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

10. Ballaí Lios Chearbhaill [The Walls of Liscarroll[2]]: There are other settings in O'Neill, The Merry Old Woman (O'N i, 72) and The Walls of Enniscorthy (O'N iii, 150); in Joyce, The Rakes of Newcastle West (J ii, 348); in Roche, Repeal of the Union (R i, 80/81); and in Hardebeck, Wollop the Potlid (H i, 20). The jig is also called The Walls of Liscarroll and The Mouse in the Cupboard. The first of these names is in Roche for the tune usually called Tumble the Tinker (R i, 89). [See CRÉ V 26, a minor version of The Mouse in the Cupboard.]

[from John Potts, pipes]

11. Port Uí Cheallaigh [Kelly's Jig]: also called The Killimer Jig [composed by Seán Ryan; printed, correctly or not, as The Killimor in "The Hidden Ireland", a collection of Ryan's compositions].

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

12. Port Liadroma [The Leitrim Jig]: The Lullaby for Irish Pipes published by O'Neill in "Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody" (9) is based on this jig. There is another setting of this jig or a related one, The Lasses of Limerick, in that book also (182). O'Neill took that jig from O'Farrell's "Pocket Companion for the Irish or Union Pipes". Other versions in O'Neill are Stack the Rags, The Humours of Castleoliver, Will you come down to Limerick (= The Munster Gimlet) and A Whack at the Whigs (O'N i, 379, 401, 415 and 424). Of the same stock are the airs mentioned and O'Neill's The Gold Ring (O'N i, 12) and The Pharroh or War March published by Bunting in his 1840 collection.

[from Michael Brophy, pipes]

13. An Maide Draighin [The Blackthorn Stick[3]]: John Potts called this The Blackthorn Stick; in O'Neill it is The Maid at the Well (O'N i, 24). He has another printed setting under the title The Milkmaid (O'N iii, 152). Roche calls it The Maids of Glenroe (R i, 83). Goodman calls it The Black Stripper and The Kilkenny Jig (G i, 35 and G ii, 139). It is also called Arthur McBride and The Castle Street Jig.

[from John Potts, pipes]

14. Buachaillí Bhaile Mhic Anndáin [The Boys of Thomastown]: Roche has a setting of this which he calls "Suirighe an Áilteora" (The Caffler's Courtship) (R iii, 90). He has the ending wrong. There is another setting, Away to the Bogs, in the "Collection of Traditional Irish Dance Music" (80) by P. J. Giblin (Dublin, 1928). It is related to "Carraig an tSoip" (no. 3 above).

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

15. An Boc sa gCoill [The Buck in the Wood]: The tune [first part] of this is the same as Humours of Ballingarry (O'N i, 92), but O'Neill's turn or second part is different. Other names for this are Out all night and Molly's Favourite.

[from John Brennan, flute]

16. Sean-Tiobrad Árann [Old Tipperary - another setting in CRÉ II, 23]: The second part of this air is almost the same as the first part of the Munster Lass published in "Walker's Hibernian Magazine" (May, 1787).

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

17. Bímíd ag ól is ag pógadh na mBan ["Let us be Drinking and Kissing the Women" - another setting in CRÉ II, 49]: This jig is named after a song written by Eoghan Rua Ó Súilleabháin in about 1780. Petrie gave the song and a setting of the air in the "Ancient Music of Ireland" (P i, pp130/1). Stanford gives this setting and another setting closer to my one (P iii, 1063/4). Anyone who hears Willie Clancy playing this jig and other old Munster jigs of this kind on the pipes will agree with Petrie in what he has to say in a note under this air about the music and people of County Clare. There are also settings by O'Neill in the "Music of Ireland" (479) and in "Irish Music" (O'N ii, 9). Let us be drinking, I court the fair maidens and My name is O'Sullivan are other names he has on it. [See also CRÉ II, 49 and CRÉ V, 56]

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

18. Ard an Bhóthair [The High Part of the Road]: Named by myself. [A version of The Blooming Meadows, O'N i, 304?]

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

19. Íoc an Reicneáil [Pay the Reckoning]: Eliz. Rhames called this Jackson's Bottle of Punch in a music broadsheet (leathnachán ceoil) she published in about 1785. O'Farrell called it Pay the Reckoning in the "Pocket Companion" (i, p17); from him I took the name. O'Neill has it as Bobbing for Eels, Fishing for Eels, Jackson's Jug of Punch and Jackson's Bottle of Brandy (O'N i, 145). Levey calls it The Bottle of Punch (L i, 23). It is also called The Butchers of Bristol and The Old Man's Jig. Goodman has it as Groom or Larry Grogan. It is unlikely that it is one of Jackson's. [Called The Bottle of Claret in Kerr's 3 p30].

[from John Potts, pipes]

20. An Buachaillín Bán [The Fair-haired Boy]: O'Neill has a setting, The Fairhaired Boy (O'N i, 158). He has another setting, The Last of the Lot (O'N iii, 193) which leaves much to be desired. Roche calls it "An Buachaillín Bán" (R i, 120). It is also known as The Boys from Carrickroe and The Freheen Jig.

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

21. Port an Bhráthar [The Monk's Jig]: John Potts called this Did you see my man looking for me? O'Neill has a jig of that name and a verse of a song that goes with it and this verse does not at all fit the jig I have (O'N iii, 24).

[from John Potts, pipes]

22. Port Shean tSeáin [Old John's Jig]: Myself that christened it [it is also called The Bank of Ireland, by association with the related reel of that name (O'N i 465, O'N ii 1186)]. John Potts would not play this jig or the one before it as fast as they would be for dancing. Levey has a jig (L i, 87), and O'Neill the same one, The Short Grass (O'N i, 197), a couple of bars of which would remind you of this jig.

[from John Potts, pipes]

23. Scaip an Puiteach [Scatter the Mud]: O'Neill has a setting (O'N i, 187) and Roche another, The Maids of Tramore (R i, 129). The tune [first part] which Roche has is faulty at the end, and the turn [second part] is not from this jig at all [The Eviction in Ryan's Mammoth Collection, p104, is almost identical to the Roche tune]. This jig is also called The Noonday Feast.

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

24. An Píosa Deich bPingne [The Tenpenny Bit]: RawleyRowley did not have a name for this. O'Neill's The Tenpenny Bit (O'N i, 162) is a version of this, and from it I took the name. This name is also given to another jig which is usually called The Three Little Drummers. [See also The Tenpenny Bit, CRÉ III, 32.]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

25. Luighseach Nic Cionnaith [Lucy McKenna]: White got this from the woman named in the title.

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

26. Droim Chonga [Drimcong, a place in County Galway]: RawleyRowley called it The Lark on the Strand but this name was used by me previously [no. 7 above]; I myself gave it the above name. [A version of Tim Hogan's Jig, O'N i, 226?] [from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

27. An Buachaillín Buí [The Little Yellow Boy[4]]: I took the name from the version published by O'Farrell in the "Collection of National Irish Music for the Union Pipes" (c.1797). He has two versions in the "Pocket Companion". O'Farrell also called this air Galloway Tom, but if he did it has no relation to the Gallua Tom in the Straloch manuscript or with the Galloway Tom in the "Scots Musical Museum" (325). O'Neill has six versions in the "Music of Ireland", four of them unknown to himself, one would think: The Little Yellow Boy (706); Galway Tom (744/5); The Thrush's Nest (855); The Goat's Horn (926); and The Spotted Cow (983). He has two settings in the "Dance Music of Ireland", Galway Tom (34) and The Spotted Cow (199). Joyce calls it Galway Tom (J ii, 806). Nowadays it is usually called The Lark in the Morning, but it is also called Come in the Evening, The Kelso Races, The Welcome and A Western Lilt.

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

28. Na Geabha sa bPortach [The Geese in the Bog]: The first two parts are printed by Petrie (P iii, 940) and also by O'Neill (O'N i, 279). This jig is related to Levey's Saddle the Pony (L i, 43) and Joyce's The Housemaid (J ii, 841). [See also The Geese in the Bog, CRÉ II, 53.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

29. An Ghaoth Aniar Andeas [The South West Wind]: This is now usually called Connie the Soldier, and this is the name O'Neill has on it (O'N i, 67). Goodman calls it Coffee and Tea (G iii, 178). It is also called Aineen's Double, The Cherry Grove and Jimmy the Tailor. The two phrases of the first part I have are slightly garbled. The first triplet of the third bar should rightly be moved along to the start of the seventh bar. From John Kelly I got the title and also a story giving its meaning. Petrie published two settings, a song and a jig; he called the song Banish Misfortune and the jig "Bacach na Cleithe" (P ii, p41). He got the jig from Patrick Coneely, a piper, in the year 1840. Petrie said that that song "Máire Inis Toirc" was sung to this air. It is not sung to it in Cois Fhairrge nowadays.

[from John Potts, pipes]

30. An Gandal i bPoll na bhFataí [The Gander in the Pratie Hole]

[from John Potts, pipes]

31. Banríon na Luachra [The Queen of the Rushes]: A version of this is Petrie's The Ladies March to the Ballroom (P iii, 936). It is also called The Battering Ram. There is another jig of the latter title.

[from John Potts, pipes]

32. Máirseál na nIománaithe [The Hurlers' March]: Willie Clancy got this air from his father, who called it The Hurlers' March. His mother called it The Humours of Ballyloughlin.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

33. An Bóthar Mór go Sligeach [lit., "The big road to Sligo", usually called The Tar Road to Sligo. The Races at Carrick, O'N i, 99, has the same first part but a different second part.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

34. Sparán Airgid na Caillí [The Hag's Purse or The Old Woman's Purse of Money]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

35. Port an Riagánaigh [Regan's Jig] [from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

36. An Ceoltóir Fánach [The Wandering Minstrel]: Versions of this jig are the first part of O'Neill's Willy Walsh's Jig and The Merry Maiden (O'N i, 88 and 267). I don't think that O'Neill's turn [second part] is from this jig. The Dandy Scholar is another name for it.

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

37. An Rós sa bhFraoch [The Rose in the Heather]: There is a setting in J. O'Brien's "Irish Folk Dance Music" (141).

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

38. Ruaig an Mí-ádh [Banish Misfortune]: Joyce was the first to print this jig, under the title The Bag of Meal (J i, 41). Roche calls it The Little Bag of Meal or The Humours of Mullinafauna (R i, 85). Banish Misfortune, The Humours of Mullinafauna and Nancy Hines are the names O'Neill has on his settings in the "Dance Music of Ireland" (53, 106 and 150 respectively). Petrie gave the first of these names to a version of The South West Wind (see 29 above). "Máire Ní Eidhinn" is his name for this jig (P iii, 1542). Another name for it is Round the Cart House.

[from John Potts, pipes]

39. Airgid Réalach [Sixpenny Money]: A version of this is The Madcap in the "Feis Ceoil Collection of Irish Airs" (27) published in the year 1914. Three hundred barrels of "sixpenny money" were put up by Clíona when she was trying to win Seán ac Séamais from his wife. This story is to be found in the "Seanchaí Muimhneach" ["Munster Storyteller"]. Sixpenny Money was the musician's own name for it, presumably a translation of the Irish name.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

40. An Píopa ar an mBaic [The Pipe on the Hob]: Another jig with the same name is in Petrie (P i, p114) and in O'Neill (O'N i, 9).

[from Michael Brophy, pipes]

41. Cailleach an Airgid ["The Hag with the Money"]: Petrie has a version called I was born for sport (P iii, 826). He wrote it down from Patrick Coneely in the year 1845. O'Neill's setting is very similar to my own (O'N i, 21). It is also called My Brother Tom. This is the chorus that goes with the air:

Sí mo Mhamó í, sí mo Mhamó í,

Sí mo Mhamó í, cailleach an airgid.

Sí mo Mhamó í, as baile Iorrais Mhóir í

Is chuirfeadh sí cóistí ar bhóithre Chois Fhairrge.

[Literally: She's my granny, she's my granny,

She's my granny, the hag with the money.

She's my granny, from the town of Iorras Mór

And she'd put coaches on the roads of Cois Fhairrge.]

[The Old Slipper Shoe, CRÉ II, 277, is a reel version of this tune.]

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

42. Gearrchaile Bhaile Uí bhFiacháin [Newport (Co. Mayo) Lass]: This is also called A Trip to Athlone.

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

43. Siamsa Mhuilte Farannáin [The Humours of Multyfarnham[5]]: This jig is also played a fourth higher. The first four bars of the turn are to be found in Aird's air Christmas Day in the Morning (iii, 440).

[from Joseph Walsh, pipes]

44. Pádraig Mac Giollarnáth: White got this from the man named in the title.

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

45. Port Tíneatha [The Tynagh Jig]: This is also called Delaney's Jig (referring to Denis Delaney, piper, from Ballinasloe).

[from Jack DerwinSeán Ó Dorbáin, fiddle]

46. Gearóid de Barra [Garrett Barry]: Willie Clancy got this jig from his father, who heard it from Garrett Barry, piper, who was active in West Clare sixty years earlier. Version of this are O'Neill's Sergeant Early's Jig (O'N i, 25) and my "Port an Achréidh" (no. 59 below). Hardebeck has another version called Tune the Fiddle (H i, 12). Another name is The Ladies' Fancy.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

47. Fáinne Óir Ort [lit., "A gold ring on you", also called The Old Gold Ring]: Brogan called this The Gold Ring. I changed the name because O'Neill has another jig of that title.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

48. Rogha Liadroma [The Leitrim Fancy]

[from Michael Brophy, pipes]

49. Port Uí Fhaoláin [Whelan's Jig]: The Whelan referred to in the title was a flute player in the old Ballinakill Ceili Band [Tommy Whelan]. It is also called The Rookery. The next jig is another version of this air.

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

50. Port Uí Mhuirgheasa [Morrison's Jig]: O'Neill has a version which he calls Paddy Stack's Fancy Jig (O'N iii, 157). [Junior Crehan called this The Stick across the Hob.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

51. Port Shligigh [The Sligo Jig, also called The Trip to Killavil, or The Killavil Jig]: Brogan got this jig from Freddy Finn, fiddler from Kiltycreen in Sligo.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

52. An Crú Capaill [The Horse Shoe, i.e., the name of John Kelly's shop in Capel Street, Dublin]: Kelly had no name on this; myself that christened it.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

53. An Lá i ndiaidh an Aonaigh [The Day after the Fair]: I would say that The Old Grey Goose was based on this. Petrie has a version, All Alive, that he got from an 18th-century manuscript (P i, p41). O'Neill has two settings, All Alive and Billy Barlow (O'N i, 295 and 102) [also The Day after the Fair, O'N ii, 868] and Roche has one that he calls The Wheels of the World or The Day after the Fair (R i, 84). Other titles that O'Neill has for it are His Home and Country; I know not whether to laugh or to cry; I would not give my Irish wife; and You're welcome to Waterford.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

54. An Seanchaí Muimhneach [The Munster Seanchaí (storyteller); called Bill the Weaver's Jig (1) in "Johnny O'Leary of Sliabh Luachra", ed. Terry Moylan]

[from Denis Cronin, Fiddle]

[Single Jigs, Slip Jigs, etc.]

55-56. Rogha Mháire Ní Bhraonáin [Mary Brennan's Favourite] and Éilís Ní Cheallaigh [Elizabeth Kelly - also called The Humours of Kilclogher]: Kelly got these from his mother [Elizabeth Kelly]; she got them from her mother [Mary Brennan]. For them they are named.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

57. Mo Ghrása ar Maidin [My Love in the Morning - also, I Found My Love in the Morning, O'N iii, 27; Johnny Mick Dinny's (slide), no. 95 in "Johnny O'Leary of Sliabh Luachra", also Art O'Keeffe's, Biddy Crowley's Ball]

[from Michael Tubridy, flute]

58. Cis Ní Liatháin [Ciss Lennon]: This jig is named after the woman from whom White got it. Goodman calls it Paddy McFadden (G i, 101).

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

59. Port an Achréidh [The Achréidh Jig, named after an area of mid-east County Galway]

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

60. Oíche Nollag [Christmas Night]: I would say this is a foreign jig. It is almost the same as There's nae luck about the house. Petrie's The Strawberry Blossom (P iii, 484) is a version of it. The first part of this and the first parts of Petrie's no.s 154 and 258 (untitled airs), of Mill Stream and of "Ghile Beag le m'Anam Thú" (P iii, 154, 258, 396 and 1151) are versions of each other. Joyce has the turn [second part] in the Irish Minuet (J ii, 207). It is also played as a reel.

[from Joseph Walsh, pipes]

61. An Brístín Mire [The Frieze Breeches]: Joyce has a setting of this (J ii, 287). From him I took the title. His third part does not belong to this jig. This is The Frieze Breeches, or Gallagher's Frolics, as a single jig. Here is a verse of a song sung to this air in Connemara:

"Cé hé sin thíos ag briseadh na gclaíocha?" (three times)

"Mise féin" a deir Connla.

"'Chonnla chroí ná teara níos goire dhom" (three times)

"Mhaisce, tiocfad", a deir Connla.

[Literally: "Who is that down there breaking the fences?"

"Myself" says Connla.

"Connla dear don't come any nearer to me"

"Wisha, I will", says Connla.]

Tomás Mac Diarmada [Thomas McDermott] from Lochán Beag gave me this.

[from John Potts, pipes]

62. Fiafraigh de m'Athair é [Ask my Father]: Version of this are O'Neill's Ask my Father (from which I got the name) and With all my Heart (O'N i, 367 and 368).

[from John Potts, pipes]

63. Bóthar na gCloch[6] [Stoneybatter, a Dublin thoroughfare; this tune is not related to the single jig of the same name in CRÉ IV]: This is usually called Bob and Joan. In old collections it is sometimes to be seen as Bobbing Joan. Here is a verse of a song sung to it:

Hi for Bob and Joan

Hi for Stoneybatter

Leave your wife at home

Or surely I'll be at her.

It is hard to say who first printed this jig because it is to be found in many collections without any date at all on them, but apparently published in the 18th century. The air was used in the opera "The Wife of Two Husbands"; Love and Whiskey was the name of the song made of it there. It was to this air that Thomas Moore wrote Fill the Bumper Fair. Roche prints a setting (R ii, 345). This is not related to the Bobbing Joe (Bobby and Joan or Bob in Joe) that Playford has in the "Dancing Master". It is called Hey for Stoney Batter in "Gems of Ireland" (p52) by J. Clinton (c.1840).

[from John Potts, pipes]

64. Pléaraca Dhoire an Chreasáin [The Humours of Derrycrosane]: This jig is related to The Foxhunters' Jig or "Nead na Lachan sa mBúta" ["The Duck's Nest in the Boot"] as it is called in Connemara.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

65. Óró, a Thaidhg, a Ghrá ["Oro, Tim, my love"]: On a stray page from a music book apparently published in America I found two settings of this jig called The Peeler Jig and Barney's Goat. Goodman's title for it is Skin the Peeler (G i, 34). Late Home at Night is another name for it in Kerry. Here is a verse of a song sung to it in Connemara:

's óró, a Thaidhg, a ghrá,

's óró a Thaidhg, a chumainnín,

's óró a Thaidhg, a Thaidhg,

's óró a Thaidhg, a chumainnín.

D'éirigh Tadhg aréir;

Chuaigh sé ag fiach na ngirríacha;

D'éirigh Máire ina dhéigh,

's lean sí é sna bonnachaí.

[Literally: And oro, Tim, my love

and oro Tim, my little darling,

and oro Tim, Tim,

and oro Tim, my little darling.

Tim got up last night;

he went hunting the hares;

Mary got up after him,

and she followed in his footsteps.]

I got this song, and Cailleach an Airgid as well, from Máire Áine Ní Dhonnchadha from Knock.

[from John Potts, pipes]

66. Pléaraca an Fuisce [The Humours of Whiskey. Similar settings are The Kitten and Yellow Stockings in O'N iii, re-printed from O'Farrell's "Pocket Companion" and "National Irish Music" respectively. The Humours of Whiskey in CRÉ II, 100, is a related but distinct tune.]

[from John Potts, pipes]

67. Cnoic Aiteannach Liadroma [The Whinny Hills of Leitrim - a different tune of the same name is in Breathnach's "Folk Music and Dances of Ireland", p135.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

68. Aoibhneas Éilís Ní Cheallaigh [Elizabeth Kelly's Delight]: Kelly got this from his mother.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

69. Cuir Barr Air [Top it off]: Levey's Connemara Jig (L i, 100) is a version of this.

[from John Potts, pipes]

[Reels]

70. Ríl an Bhreathnaigh [Walsh's Reel]

[from Denis Cronin, fiddle]

71. Máistreás an Tí [The Woman (lit., Mistress) of the House]: This is of the same stock as "Bean an Tí ar Lár" (no. 86 below). O'Neill has a setting in which the material of my two versions is evident (O'N i, 565). Joyce has another setting which he calls The Cows are a-Milking (J ii, 346).

[from John Potts, pipes]

72. An Ghaoth Aniar [The West Wind]: The tune (or first part) of this is the same as the reel called James Ryan's Favourite in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (153).

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

73. Ríl an Ghabha [The Blacksmith's Reel]: O'Neill's Green Garters is a version of this (O'N i, 706). It is also called The Blacksmith's Daughter.

[from Joseph Walsh, pipes]

74. An Gearrchaile taobh thiar den Bheár [The Maid Behind the Bar; also Kiss the Maid behind the Barrel (CRÉ V 170)]: O'Neill has a version of this, Kiss the Maid behind the Barrel (O'N i, 571). Petrie has five settings which are similar to each other, Clonmell Lassies, The Bruisus or Kiss the Maid behind the Barrel(s) (P iii, 479 and 884/7). I never heard this reel with the F natural which Petrie writes. It is also called Kiss the Maid behind the Barn and The Maid behind the Bar.

[from Tommy Reck, pipes]

75. Cailíní deasa Mhuigheo [Pretty Girls of Mayo]: Joyce has a bare, untitled setting (J i, 51). Sweet Biddy of Ballyvourney is O'Neill's title, but his turn [second part] does not go with the tune [first part] (O'N i, 566). "Peigín Leitir Mór" is sung to this air. It is also called Sweeney's Reel. [See also Tameen's Reel, CRÉ II 159]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

76. Buachaillí Chill Sairn [The Boys of Kilsarne]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

77. An Mheaig Chabach [The Chattering Magpie]

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

78. Coirnéal Mhac Ruaidhrí [Colonel Rogers]: The turn [second part] of this is similar to the turn of Petrie's no. 154 (P iii, 154) [untitled].

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

79. Garranta Glasa Mheiriceá [The Green Fields of America]: This reel, which is also called Mollie Brannigan, is similar to Cossey's Jig first published in "Jackson's Celebrated Tunes" (1774). There is a version of the jig under the name Jimmy O'Brien's Jig and of the reel as The Green Fields of America in O'Neill (O'N i, 206 and 513 respectively). It is also called Judy Brannagan, Charming (and Pretty) Molly Brallaghan as well as Judy Brallaghan.

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

80. Gearchailliú Chontae Mhuigheo[7] [Mayo Lasses]: A version of this is O'Neill's The Old Maids of Galway (O'N i, 654). It is also called The Green Meadows, The Ballina Lass, The Hag's Reel and Paddy's gone to France.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

81. Bearna na Gaoithe [The Windy Gap]: This is also called Ah Surely [CRÉ III, 129] and Killabeg's House[8]. There is a setting with the latter name [Killybegs House] in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (185).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

82. Éilís Ní Bhrógáin [Elizabeth Brogan]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

83. Gilibeart Mhac Fhlannchadha [Gilbert Clancy]: Also called John Reid's Favourite.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

84. Fuiseog an tSléibhe [The Mountain Lark]: O'Neill has a version which he calls The Steam Packet (O'N i, 517). Other titles in O'Neill are The Gauger and The Mountain Lark. Goodman calls it Lady O'Brien's Reel and The Frieze Kneebreeches (G ii 41 and ii 158), and Hardebeck calls it Father Henebry's Reel (H ii, 22). Roche has a bad setting which he calls "An Colamór Súgach" (R iii, 78). It is also called The Connacht Rangers and O'Connell's Reel.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

85. Ríl Uí Dhiolúin [Dillon's Reel]: O'Neill has a version called Dillon's Fancy (O'N i, 540).

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

86. Bean an Tí ar Lár[9] [usually called The Woman of the House]: see note to 71 above.

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

87. An tÉan ar an gCrann [The Bird on the Tree - also, The Bird in the Bush]

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

88. Tim Ó Maoldómhnaigh [Tim Mulloney]: This was first printed in the "Feis Ceoil Collection of Irish Airs" in the year 1914. It is called Molony's Reel in that collection.

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

89. Budógaí Chonnacht [Connacht Heifers]: Petrie has a faulty version which he calls The Silver Mines (P iii, 913).

[from John Potts, pipes]

90. Bascadh Thomáis Mhic an Bháird [Tom Ward's Downfall]: O'Neill's setting is called The Mourne Mountains (O'N i, 477). O'Neill also calls it The Long Hills of Mourne and Peggy, is your head sick? Roche calls it The Purty Girl (R i, 177).

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

91. Cailín Bhaile an tSratha [The Lass of Ballintray]: Joyce has a setting (J ii, 356). It is also called The Mountain Dew. [See also The Lass of Ballintra, CRÉ V, 192.]

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

92. An Chois Tinn ["The Sore Foot"]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

93. Barr an tSléibhe [The Mountain Top - recorded by James Morrison as The Holly Bush, a name nowadays associated with a Finbarr Dwyer composition also called Richard Dwyer's.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

94. An Mála Beag Fataí [The Little Bag of Potatoes]: Michael Tubridy called this The Bag of Potatoes; I changed the name because I already had a reel of that name. This reel and the one before it are reels for a set. Each part usually consists of one phrase repeated. This type is very widespread in County Clare, Tubridy told me. They are a class of their own but it is easy to make proper reels out of them.

[from Michael Tubridy, flute]

95. Brian Ó Láimhín: White got this from the man named in the title.

[from Pat White, tin whistle]

96. Píopaí Greig [Greig's Pipes]: The setting published by O'Farrell in the "Pocket Companion" is printed by O'Neill in "Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody" (288). In his notes, O'Neill said that it was Joshua Campbell who composed this reel and that he printed it in the year 1779. It was printed before that by Nial Stíobhard (1761). The first part of O'Neill's Edenderry Reel (O'N i, 770) is a version of the first part of this reel. Limber Elbow, which he also prints (O'N iii, 268), is a poor version. In County Clare this tune is called Connolly's Reel. The Kerry Huntsman is another name. Many musicians call it Kregg's Pipes but this is incorrect

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

97. Rogha Sheoirse de Faoite [George White's Favourite]: There is another setting in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (162). It is also called The Lass of Carrowcastle[10].

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

98. Ríl Thomáisín Uí Dheaghdha [Thomaisin O'Dea's Reel - O'Neill has a related tune, The Glenmore Hunt, O'N iii, 223.]

[from Michael Tubridy, flute]

99. An Garda Nua [The New Policeman]: O'Neill has a setting titled The New Policeman (O'N i, 511). From this I took the name. O'Neill also calls it Paddy Bolster's Reel and The Twinbrothers' Reel. Goodman calls it Lady Cork's Reel (G iii, 65). Another name for it is The Tinker's Stick. [Another version is The Monsignor's Blessing, CRÉ III 157.]

[from John Keegan, flute]

100. Na Garranta Sailí [The Sally Gardens]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

101. Gol agus Gáire na hÉireann [The Smiles and Tears of Erin]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

102. An Ceirtlín Snáithe in Aimhréidh [The Ravelled Hank of Yarn]: This reel and O'Neill's Kate Kelly's Fancy, Nellie O'Donovan and The Ravelled Hank of Yarn (O'N i, 483, 638 and O'N iii, 233) are of the same stock. O'Neill also calls it The Cat that ate the Sidecomb.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

103. An Gearrchaile sa gCrann Silíní [The Maid in the Cherry Tree]: The Curragh Races is O'Neill's title for his settings of this reel (O'N i, 544 and O'N iii, 285) [O'Neill also has a different reel called The Maid in the Cherry Tree, O'N i, 754]. Roche's The Humours of Old Knockaney (R iii, 83) is a version of this. It is also called Coleman's Fancy. [See also The Curragh Races, CRÉ V 154.]

[from John Potts, pipes]

104. An Chloch sa nGarraí [The Stone in the Field]

[from John Potts, pipes]

105. Cnoic Fhada Mhughdhorna [The Long Hills of Mourne]: O'Neill has a version called Captain Rock (O'N i, 781) and Petrie has another of which he says that it is a County Clare reel (P iii, 907). It is also [more commonly] called The Old Bush and The Bush Reel.

[from John Potts, pipes]

106. Peata Mamaí [Mamma's Pet]: These are O'Neill's versions: Timothy Downing in "Music of Ireland" (1334); Downing's Reel (O'N i, 591) and Mamma's Pet (O'N iii, 222) [also Paddy's Pet, O'N iii, 319, which more closely resembles this tune]. Hardebeck has a faulty version which he calls The First House in Connaught (H ii, 3).

[from John Potts, pipes]

107. An Ríl Cam [The Crooked Reel]: The song Follow me down to Carlow is of course sung to this air. O'Neill has two settings, Follow me down and Follow me down to Carlow (O'N i, 547 and 988). Goodman calls it Miss Murphy (G ii, 156 and G iii, 182). It is also played as a jig [e.g., as a single jig in CRÉ II, 84]. In Scotland it is called Bonnie Annie. It is printed in the "Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music" (i, p;23), from a collection by Dow published c.1775. Aird also printed it (iii, 548).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

108. Caisleán Uí Cheallaigh [Castle Kelly]: Joyce has a setting (J ii, 359) and Roche has one which he calls "Cumar na Cathrach" (R iii, 75).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

109. An Bothán sa bPortach [The Hut in the Bog]: O'Neill has the first and third parts under the title The Cashmere Shawl (O'N i, 599). The second part I have was not previously printed.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

110. Ríl Liam Uí Airt [Bill Harte's Reel]: This reel is named after the accordion player from whom Brogan got the tune.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

111. An Mála Fataí [The Bag of Potatoes]: O'Neill has another version, The Sligo Dandy (O'N iii, 321).

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

112. Tarraing thar timpeall an Bhóthair í [Drag her around the Road]: The Pullet and The Pullet and the Cock are Petrie's names for the two versions he found of this reel (P iii, 458 and 585).

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

113. An Chloch Aoil [The Limestone Rock]: Tit for Tat is O'Neill's name for another version of this (O'N i, 688). [See also CRÉ IV 166.]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

114. Cailín na Gruaige Duibhe [The Blackhaired Lass]: O'Neill calls this The Blackhaired Lass (O'N i, 585). Goodman's The Dark Gate Girl (G i. p158) is a version of this. It is also called The Dark Haired Girl and "An Cailín Donn" ["The Brown Girl"].

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

115. Rogha Thomáis Uí Dhubhda [Tom Dowd's Favourite]: This is related to The Ash Plant (my no. 116).

[from John Keegan, flute]

116. An Maide Fuinnseoige [The Ash Plant]

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

117. An Chearc is a hál [The Hen and her Clutch]: Goodman calls this The Galway Harebait (G iii, p145). Another name for it is The King of the Cellar.

[from Tom Mulligan, fiddle]

118. Gearrchaile Shliabh Cisco [The Maid of Mount Kisco - attributed to Paddy Killoran; Mount Kisco is in New York State]: There is a setting of this, The Maid of Mount Kisco, in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (180).

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

119. An Sceach [The Thornbush]: Joyce has a faulty untitled version (J i, 62). O'Neill has almost the same setting. He called it The Five-leaved Clover (O'N ii, 248 and O'N i, 519). In "Waifs and Strays" he has it as The Heel of the Hunt (O'N iii, 311). It is also called The Hunter's Purse [the usual name] and The Haymaker.

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

120. An Teach ar an gCoirnéal [The Corner House]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

121. Iníon Mhic Aonghusa [Miss McGuinness]

[from Tommy Reck, pipes]

122. An Chomdháil [The Congress - said to be named in honour of the Eucharistic Congress held in Dublin in 1932.]

[from Pat Brophy, pipes]

123. Mothar Riabhógach [Mohereavogue][11]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

124. Gearrchaile Shligigh [The Sligo Maid]: O'Neill's The Glendowan reel is a version of this (O'N iii, 325). It is also called The Glendoan Fancy.

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

125. Méaracán an Táilliúra [The Tailor's Thimble]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

126. Streancán an Iascaire [The Fisherman's Lilt]: The turn [second part] of this and of "Port Shean tSeáin" (no. 22) are the same. The ending itself is the determining factor in changing the format. I would say that the reel was derived from the jig, because this reel is the same as the single reel or "old polka" called The Siege of Ennis (R iii, 139). Oddly enough the first part of the reel is similar to the second part of Lady Mary Lindsay ("The Glen Collection of Scottish Dance Music", i, p10). Glen took it from a collection of Scottish reels composed by John Riddle and published about 1766. O'Neill has two settings, Cunningham's Fancy and Molly what ails you? (O'N ii [correction: i], 555 and 652). The Pretty Girls of the Village is O'Brien's name for another version ("Irish Folk Dance Music", 178)[12]. Funny Eye was the title to this air on a music broadsheet (leathnachán ceoil) published by Hime in Dublin in about 1810. Another name for it is You're right my Love. [Also The Banks of Enverness in Ryan's Mammoth Collection, p34; see also The Berkshire Heights, CRÉ II 257.]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

127. An Turas go Darmhagh [The Trip to Durrow]: The third part is an alternative version of the first part which John Potts heard from some flute player.

[from John Potts, pipes]

128. Aisling Uí Chiardha [Carey's Dream]: Joyce has a setting of this (J ii, 236) and O'Neill has another (O'N i, 731). O'Neill calls it The Cameronian Reel [the usual name].

[from John Potts, pipes]

129. Aisghairm na hAontachta [The Repeal of the Union]: O'Neill has a setting (O'N i, 459). It is also called Kate Gaynor's Fancy, The Gurtaglanna Reel and Roll her in the Rushes.

[from John Potts, pipes]

130. An Seomra in Uachtar [The Upper Room]: O'Neill has two settings of this, Miss Wallace and The Wallace Twins (O'N i, 685 and O'N iii, 298). It is also called The Moving Bog, New Tobacco and The Bog Ranger's Wife.

[from John Potts, pipes]

131. Fearghal Ó Gadhra [Farrell O'Gara]: It is sometimes asserted that the man referred to in the title is the Lord Moy O'Gara who gave shelter to the Four Masters. If so, it was not in his time, I would say, but much later that the tune was composed.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

132. An Buachaill sa mBearna [The Boy in the Gap - see also the three-part version, CRÉ III, 101; called The Boys of Cappoquin in O'Neill (O'N i 617)]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

133. Pádraig Spóirtiúil [Sporting Paddy]: O'Neill calls it Irish Pat (O'N iii, 263).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

134. Gearrchailiú Chaisleán an Bharraigh [The Maids of Castlebar] [McFarley's Reel, CRÉ V 110, is a version of this tune.]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

135. An Ball Seirce [The Beauty Spot] [See also The Tailor's Thimble, CRÉ V 153.]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

136. An Sean-draighneán [The Old Blackthorn]: O'Neill has a setting of this which he calls The Rising Sun and Jolly Clam-diggers. [In Ryan's Mammoth Collection under the latter titles and also as Brightest Eyes; see also The Rising Sun, CRÉ II 214.]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

137. Ríl Uí Chruaidhlaoich [Crowley's Reel]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

138. Ríl Uí Mhaolmhuaidh [Mulloy's Reel - recorded by Paddy Killoran as Molloy's Favourite]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

139. Slán le hÉireann [Farewell to Erin]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

140. Ríl Uí Mhuirgheasa [Morrison's Reel; see Green Trees of Athol in Ryan's Mammoth Collection]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

141. Sliabh Bána ["The Silver (or White) Mountain"]: Roche's The Silver Tip is a version of this (R i, 170). Goodman has a version which he calls The Top of the Cliff (G i, p38), and Joyce has another one, The New Mown Meadows (J ii, 61). It is also called The Silver Spear [by far the most common name] and Miss Lane's Fancy.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

142. Cathaoir an Iarla [The Earl's Chair - composed by East Galway flute player Pakie Moloney.]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

143. Gearrchaile Oileán Píce [The Spike Island Lasses]: O'Neill's Reidy's Reel is a version of this (O'N iii, 304), but the second half-phrase of the turn [second part] that he has belongs with The Bank of Ireland.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

144. An Claíomh i Lámh [Sword in Hand]: Another name that Brogan had for this was The Little Pig Lamenting the Empty Trough. Goodman calls it The Cork Lasses. Sally on the Shore is another name for it. [Related to The Kerry Reel, CRÉ IV 112.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

145. Pádraig Réice [Rakish Paddy]: This is Scottish by rights. O'Neill says that Bremner published it in the year 1768 under the title Caper Fey in the "Second Collection of Scots Reels or Country Dances" and that it is usually given the correct name, Cabar Féigh or The Deer's Horns, in music books for the Highland pipes. He is incorrect in saying that Sporting Pat (O'N ii, 297) is a version of this tune. That reel is much closer to The Copperplate than to Rakish Paddy (O'N iii, 269). This tune is also called The Castle Street rReel and Glastertown's Downfall.

[from Willie Clancy, pipes]

146. Salamanca [also in CRÉ II, 209]: The usual or straightforward version is in Levey (L i, 54) and O'Neill (O'N i, 603). It is said that this tune is played as a hornpipe but I never heard it being played so sluggishly.

[from Tommy Reck, pipes]

147. Cill Abhail [Killavil - also called The Killavil Fancy]: Brogan got this from Freddy Finn.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

148. Na Bruachanna Gréine [The Sunny Banks]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

149. An Chéim Cloiche [The Stoney Step]

[from Treasa Potts, accordion]

150. Tabhair Póg don Bhrídeoig sa Leaba [Kiss the Maid in Bed]: Roche calls this Bumper Allen's Delight (R iii, 79). O'Neill calls it The Maids of Tipperary (O'N iii, 246). It is also called Kiss the Maid in Bed and Tom the Fisherman. [Closely related to The Dairymaid, CRÉ III, 191.]

[from John Potts, pipes]

151. Gearrchaile Bhaile Mhistéala [Maids of Mitchelstown]: O'Neill has another version (O'N i, 650).

[from John Potts, pipes]

152. Mungo Ó Ceallaigh [Mungo Kelly]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

153. An Cat d'ith an Coinneal [The Cat that ate the Candle]: Tommy Reck got this from John Potts. Hardebeck has a faulty version which he calls The Morning Star (H i, 10).

[from Tommy Reck, pipes]

154. Luighseach Chaimbhéal [Lucy Campbell - also in CRÉ II, 185]: This is a Scottish reel originally titled Miss Louisa Campbell's Delight. John Glen says that it was first published in the year 1780. The Bridal O't is the name of a song which was written to this tune. [This is also known in Scotland as Lucy Campbell (there's a six-part strathspey version in The Beauties of Gow Book 3, p3). Other Scottish names for this tune are Ball Na Grandach, Miss Lucia Campbell, Cheap Meal, Miss Lucy Campbell, Miss Lucy Campbell's Delight and Cairngorm/Cairngorum (information from Nigel Gatherer)].

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

155. An Baisteadh [The Christening]: O'Neill has a setting of The Christening (O'N i, 551). That is where I found the name. It is also called The Spout Reel.

[from Michael Tubridy, flute]

156. An Fhuiseog [The Skylark - composed by James Morrison; the original key was C.]

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

157. Bairéad an Mháirnéalaigh [The Sailor's Bonnet]: O'Brien has another setting in "Irish Folk Dance Music" (176).

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

158. Thar an gCnoc [Over the Hill]: This is also called Up against the Boughalauns [and Miss Lyon's Fancy, CRÉ III, 103,].

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

159. Buachaillí na Locha [The Boys of the Lough]: O'Neill's straightforward version is called Johnstown Reel (O'N ii, 304). Roche has another setting under the name The Rose of Castletown (R i, 139) [The Boys of the Lake, CRÉ II, 164, is a different tune].

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

160. Seán Ó Braonáin as Sligeach [John Brennan from Sligo]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

161. Máire Bhéiceach [Roaring Mary]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

162. An Sean-Cholúr ar an nGeata [The Old Pigeon on the Gate]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

163. Ríl Mhic Aindriú [Anderson's Reel - see note and footnote to no. 126]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

164. An Spiora Airgid [The Silver Spire; in Ryan's Mammoth Collection as Bennett's Favourite and Great Eastern]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

165. Ríl Sholais Uí Laighléis [Solus Lillis's Reel]: This reel is named after the musician from whom Tubridy got it.

[from Michael Tubridy, flute]

166. An Ceolchumann ["The Music Club"]: The name refers to Ceolchumann Naomh Mhuire [St. Mary's Music Club] in Dublin. Member of this society were the base of musicians from whom I got the music in this collection. [In Ryan's Mammoth Collection as The Belles of Tipperary and The Braes of Auchentyre (correctly, Auchtertyre, as in the Gow and Skye collections) and in the Armagh Pipers Club book "Play 50 Reels" as The New Policeman.]

[from John Keegan, flute]

167. An Smólach sa Stoirm [The Thrush in the Storm]

[from John Brennan, flute]

168. Rothaí an Domhain [The Wheels of the World]

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

169. Ríl na Cordaile [The Cordal Reel]

[from Denis Cronin, fiddle]

170. Aoibhneas Philip Uí Bheirn [Philip O'Beirne's Delight]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

171. Páirc na Nóiníní [The Daisy Field - recorded by Michael Coleman as The Wild Irishman and by James Morrison as The Irish Girl; the latter is transcribed in CRÉ III, 151]: O'Neill has a setting of this (O'N i, 538).

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

172. Ríl na Gaibhle [The Gowel Reel - another setting is in CRÉ III, 142, as McCahill's Reel or Danny Meehan's]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

173. An Buachaill sa mBád [The Boy in the Boat]

[from Michael Brophy, pipes]

174-6. Cáit Bhóideach [Bonnie Kate]: The two settings here [three, counting the original Scottish setting] are intended to illustrate the style of the two kinds of musicians to be found amongst practitioners of traditional music. One group makes no significant change in any phrase of the music no matter how often played, and another group tries to make variations and twists in every section of the tune. Despite its sparseness the first setting is as difficult as the second, to one who plays it correctly.

Bonnie Kate is properly a Scottish reel. Neil Gow says that it was Donald Dow who composed it ("Complete Repository", etc., third volume, p25). Gow called it The Bonny lass of Fisherrow. John Glen says that it was first printed by Nial Stíobhard [Stewart] in the year 1761. The basic setting that I give was published in "Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances" (V, p25). It is called The Bonny lass of Fishirron in that book and "Dances 1786" is printed over it. Joyce printed an untitled setting (J ii, 126). O'Neill calls it Bonnie Kate and The Boys of Limerick (O'N i, 545).

174. from Thompson's Compleat Collection of 200 Favourite Country Dances

175. [from John Potts, pipes]

176. [from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

177. Baintreach na Radaireacht [The Ranting Widow - also untitled in CRÉ II, 292]: O'Neill has three versions of this: The Youngest Daughter, The Mountain Lark (O'N i, 494 and 516) and Hopetoun House (O'N iii, 320). O'Neill says in a note to the last of those tunes that it was first published by Robert Bremner in the year 1760. Sweet Molly was O'Farrell's title for the setting he published in the "Pocket Companion". Hardebeck has two settings (H i, 2 and H ii, 4). He called them The Tap Room and The Tap House. He has the wrong turn [second part] in the first setting and the ending incorrect in the second one. Goodman calls it Cock your pistol, Charlie (G ii, 163). It is also called Captain Murray's Reel and Polly's Reel.

[from John Potts, pipes]

178. Rogha Phádraig Uí Thuathaigh [Patsy Tuohey's Favourite]: O'Neill has two settings (O'N i, 595 and O'N iii, 309). O'Neill says that the second of these is a special setting taken from a manuscript of Tuohey's. Oddly enough the first part is faulty and the second part belongs with Jenny's Wedding.

[from John Potts, pipes]

179. Na Coillte Críona[13]: Brogan got this from Freddy Finn. A twin of the one before it.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

180. An Dochtúir Gilibeart [Doctor Gilbert - in CRÉ II, 228, as The Dispute at the Crossroads; according to Caoimhín Mac Aoidh, John Doherty also called this Loughros Point Reel.]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

181. Páirceanna Glasa Ros Beithe [The Green Fields of Rossbeigh]: O'Neill has a setting called The Green Banks of Rossbeigh (O'N ii, 289). It is also called The Kerry Reel and The Witch of the Glen.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

182. Seán Frank: O'Neill's Colonel McBain is a version of this (O'N i, 645). Levey calls it Sporting Molly (L ii, 63) and Petrie could not make out what name he himself had for it (P iii, 915[14]). O'Neill says that it was first printed by Bremner, under the title Colonel McBain, in the year 1768 and that it was called The Duke of Clarence Reel in "Lavenu's New Country Dances" for the year 1798 (O'N iii, 279). It was called The Devonshire Hunt in a music sheet (billeoig cheoil) published by B. Cooke in Dublin in about 1795. Rhames called it General McBean and Logier called it Brian Boru in music broadsheets they published at the start of the last [i.e., 19th] century. It is also called Dan Sullivan's Reel.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

183. Ríl Liadroma [The Leitrim Reel]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

184. Bailitheoir Longphoirt [The Longford Collector]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

185. Cois an Ghiorria [The Hare's Foot]: O'Neill calls this Jim Kennedy's Favourite, The Lowlands of Scotland and The Hare's Foot (O'N i, 561). Joyce called the setting he published The Silvermines (J ii, 27). It is also called The Bundle of Straw, Follow me to Carlow and Tralee Lasses.

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

186. Pléaraca Chaisleán na Finne [The Humours of Castlefinn]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

187. Ríl an Loinsigh [Lynch's Reel]: It was Hardebeck who first printed this (H ii, 5).

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

[Note: no. 187 is credited to both George RawleyRowley and Ned Stapleton, while no source is given for no. 188. Since Ned Stapleton is also credited as the source for no.s 189-192, I have shown him also as the source of no. 188 (the grace note shown in the first bar would be unusual on the fiddle), and RawleyRowley as the source for 187.]

188. An Bhean Uasal ar an Oileán [The Lady on the Island]: O'Neill has another version (O'N ii, 303).

[from Ned Stapleton, flute - but see note to previous tune]

189. Gearrchailiú an Dúin Mhóir [Dunmore Lasses]: It is also called The Road to Knock.

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

190. An Biadánaí [The Cabin Hunter - untitled in CRÉ III, 143][15]: One would think that the first part of this was made from The Tailor's Thimble (no. 125) and that the turn [second part] was made from the second part of The Upper Room (no. 130). In English it is called "The Cabin Hunter" (i.e., biadánaí).

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

191. Pléaraca Lios an Daill [The Humours of Lissadell]: O'Brien has a setting of this ("Irish Folk Dance Music", 168).

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

192. Gearrbhodaí Laoise [The Lads of Laois]: A Scottish reel correctly titled The Lads of Leith [or Adam Ferguson's Reel].

[from Ned Stapleton, flute]

193. Gearrchailiú Bhaile Átha Cliath [The Dublin Lasses; also Tie the Ribbons (CRÉ III 179), and The Rover (CRÉ IV 177)]: O'Neill calls this Murtough Molloy (O'N i, 741). The turn [second part] of this is the same as that of Eight and Forty Sisters printed in the "Feis Ceoil Collection of Irish Airs" (9). [See also Eight and Forty Sisters, CRÉ II 289.]

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

194. Diúc Laighean [The Duke of Leinster]: O'Neill's The Dandy Reel is a version of this (O'N ii, 294).

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

195. Craith na Cleitheacha [Toss the Feathers - also in CRÉ II, 291; these are Clare versions; another version in D is CRÉ III, 112]: Petrie has a version (P iii, 462) [which resembles the Clare one] and O'Neill another (O'N i, 502) [which resembles the CRÉ III version].

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

196. Cill Beathach [Kilbaha - near John Kelly's birthplace in County Clare]: There is a faulty version titled Tom Steele (a colleague of Daniel O'Connell) in "Kerr's Violin Instructor and Irish Folk Song Album" (83). It is also called The Laurel Groves.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

197. Banríon Bhealtaine [The Queen of May]: This is also called The Tap Room [and Kitty Losty's Reel, O'N i 498, and The Bashful Beau, O'N iii, 241].

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

198. Giorria sa bhFraoch [The Hare in the Heather]: This is also called The Morning Dew.

[from Matthew Tiernan, pipes]

199. Tiarna Wellington [Lord Wellington][16]: The tune [first part] of this is the same as O'Neill's Fairy Hurlers or Walsh's Favourite (O'N iii, 245). It is also called The Galway Rambler and Paddy Finlay's Favourite.

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

200. Ríl na Tulaí [The Tulla Reel]: This is also called Cooley's Reel.[17]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

201. Ríl Mhic Eoin [Johnson's Reel]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

202. Ríl Roscomáin [The Roscommon Reel][18]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

203. Tiarna Gordon [Lord Gordon - also in CRÉ II, 213, and CRÉ V, 191]: This is another example of the ornate style I got from Tommy Potts. This reel was composed by [John] Marshall. It is called The Duke of Gordon's Rant in McGlashan's "Collection of Strathspey Reels" published c.1780.

[from Tommy Potts, fiddle]

[Hornpipes]

204. The Liverpool Breakdown: The Breakdown was a type of hornpipe or "clogdance".

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

205. Chuir mé feisteas ar mo Theachsa ["I furnished my House"]: Here is a verse of a song that Kelly had for this:

I furnished up my house as well as I was able,

With a three-legged stool and a fine old table.

That wouldn't do I had to get the cradle

And look for the bottle in the morning.

This is also called The Humours of Tullycreen.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

206. Cornphíopa Sheoirse Uí Roghallaigh [George RawleyRowley's Hornpipe]

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

207. An Londubh [The Blackbird]: Here is a verse from a song which the RawleyRowley family have with this:

The Maytime is come and the gay flowers are springing;

The wild birds are singing their loving notes o'er.

But all the day long through my lone heart is ringing

The voice of my blackbird, I'll never see more.

[from George RawleyRowley, fiddle]

208. Cornphíopa Uí Bhroin [Byrne's Hornpipe]: O'Neill has another setting (O'N i, 865).

[from John Potts, pipes]

209. An Ránaí [The Ranger]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

210. An Comhra Donn [The Brown Chest (or Coffer)]

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

211. Rogha Bhean Uí Ghealbháin [Mrs. Galvin's Favourite]: This tune is named for the woman from whom Kelly got it [Mrs. Ellen (Nell) Galvin].

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

212. Cornphíopa Thomáis a Chnoic [Tom Hill's Hornpipe]

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

213. Cornphíopa Uí Mhurchadha [Murphy's Hornpipe]: Kerr prints a version with just two parts (Fourth Collection of Merry Melodies, Book XI, 280).

[from Sonny Brogan, accordion]

214. Rogha Mhicí Uí Cheallacháin [Micky O'Callaghan's Favourite]: Kelly got this tune from the man referred to in the title, a neighbour of his in County Clare.

[from John Kelly, fiddle]

Na Ceoltóirí a bhfuair an tÚdar na Foinn uathu

[The Musicians from whom the Author got the Tunes]

Mac Aodhgáin, Seán [John Keegan] flute player no.s 99, 115, 166.

Ó Braonáin, Seán [John Brennan] flute player no.s 15, 167.

Breathnach, Seosamh [Joseph Walsh] piper no.s 3, 43, 60, 73.

Ó Brógáin, Sonny [Sonny Brogan] accordionist no.s 2, 5, 7, 9, 28, 33, 34, 35, 47, 50, 51,

67, 78, 80, 81, 82, 92, 93, 96, 97, 100, 101,

107, 108, 109, 110, 114, 131, 132, 133, 144,

147, 160, 161, 162, 163, 164, 179, 180, 181,

182, 199, 200, 201, 202, 209, 210, 213.

Ó Bróithe, Mícheál [Michael Brophy] piper no.s 12, 40, 48, 173.

Ó Bróithe, Pádhraic [Pat Brophy] piper no.s 11, 20, 23, 41, 90, 91, 116, 122.

Ó Bróithe, Seán [John Brophy] accordionist no. 8.

Ó Ceallaigh, Seán [John Kelly] fiddler no.s 52, 53, 55, 56, 68, 77, 195, 196,

204, 205, 211, 212, 214.

Ó Cróinín, Donncha [Denis Cronin] fiddler no.s 54, 70, 169.

Ó Dorbáin, Seán [Jack Derwin] fiddler no. 45.

de Faoite, Pádhraic [Pat White] tin whistler no.s 14, 25, 44, 58, 59, 88, 95.

Mac Fhlannchadha, Liam [Willie Clancy] piper no.s 6, 16, 17, 18, 32, 39, 46, 64, 72,

83, 84, 85, 102, 141, 143, 145.

Ó Maolagáin, Tomás [Tom Mulligan] fiddler no. 117.

Potts, Tomás [Tommy Potts] fiddler no.s 27, 36, 37, 75, 76, 79, 124, 134,

135, 136, 137, 138, 154, 159, 170, 171,

176, 184, 185, 193, 194, 197, 203.

Potts, Treasa accordionist no. 149.

Potts, Seán [John Potts] piper no.s 1, 4, 10, 13, 19, 21, 22, 29, 30, 31,

38, 61, 62, 63, 65, 66, 69, 71, 89, 103,

104, 105, 106, 127, 128, 129, 130, 150,

151, 175, 177, 178, 208.

Riabhach, Tomás [Tommy Reck] piper no.s 74, 121, 146, 153.

Ó Roghallaigh, Seoirse [George RawleyRowley] fiddler no.s 24, 26, 123, 126, 152, 172, 183,

186, 187, 206, 207.

de Stabaltún, Éamonn [Ned Stapleton] flute player no.s 112, 113, 120, 125, 139, 140, 142,

148, 168, 187, 189, 190, 191, 192.

Mac Tighearnáin, Maitiú [Matthew Tiernan] piper no.s 42, 49, 86, 87, 111, 118, 119, 156,

157, 158, 198.

Ó Tiobraide, Mícheál [Micheal Tubridy] flute player no.s 57, 94, 98, 155, 165.

[Note: no. 187 is credited to both George Rawley/Rowley and Ned Stapleton, while no source is given for no. 188. Since Ned Stapleton is also credited as the source for no.s 189-192, I have shown him also as the source of no. 188, and RawleyRowley as the source for 187.]

Scaoileadh na Nodanna [Key to Abbreviations]

G i/iv Goodman Manuscripts (four volumes) in the Library of Trinity College, Dublin.

H i Cnuasacht Port agus Cor don bPianó Cuid a haon. C. G. Hardebeck, Dublin 1921 [Collection of Jigs and Reels for the Piano, Volume 1]

H ii Cnuasacht Port agus Cor don bPianó Cuid a dó. C. G. Hardebeck, Dublin 1921 [Collection of Jigs and Reels for the Piano, Volume 2]

J i Ancient Irish Music P. W. Joyce, Dublin, 1912 (re-print)

J ii Old Irish Folk Music and Song P. W. Joyce, Dublin, 1909

L i The Dance Music of Ireland (the first collection of) R. M. Levey, London, 1858

L ii The Dance Music of Ireland (the second collection of) R. M. Levey, London, 1873

O'N i The Dance Music of Ireland F. O'Neill, Chicago, 1907

O'N ii O'Neill's Irish Music (Enlarged Edition) F. O'Neill, Chicago, undated

O'N iii Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody (Second Edition, Enlarged) F. O'Neill, Chicago, 1922

P i The Ancient Music of Ireland G. Petrie, Dublin, 1855

P ii Ancient Music of Ireland G. Petrie, Dublin, 1882

P iii The Complete Collection of Irish Music C. V. Stanford (ed.), London, 1905 (as noted by George Petrie)

R i Collection of Irish Airs, Marches and Dance Tunes F. Roche, Dublin, undated (new edition carefully revised by the author) Vol. I

R ii Collection of Irish Airs, Marches and Dance Tunes F. Roche, Dublin, undated (new edition carefully revised by the author) Vol. II

R iii Collection of Irish Airs, Marches and Dance Tunes F. Roche, Dublin, undated (new edition carefully revised by the author) Vol. III

Footnote no. 9 - curly quotes replaced with straight.


[1]   This resoundingly-titled person was the father of the collector John Edward Pigot (Breathnach, Folk Music and Dances of Ireland, p 114).

[2]   Not the same as the tune of that name in O'Neill (O'N i 8, O'N ii 704), nor The Old Walls of Liscarroll (O'N iii 179).

[3]  This is also the name of a another, perhaps better-known jig (O'N i 13, O'N ii 711), so it may be better to call this one by either of the names O'Neill uses: The Maid at the Well or The Milkmaid.

[4]   Better known, as Breathnach says at the end of his note, as The Lark in the Morning - a sort of stew of several other tunes, including Galway (or Galloway) Tom, The Goat's Horns, The One-legged Man (O'N ii 938), The Spotted Cow, The Thrush's Nest, and The Yellow Little Boy. O'Neill's Lark in the Morning (O'N i 240, O'N ii 1019, 1020, O'N iii 124) is nowadays usually called The Trip to Sligo.

[5]   Perhaps better known as Munster Buttermilk (e.g., Matt Cranitch's "Irish Fiddle Book", p131; Bernard Flaherty's "Trip to Sligo", p174); however, Breathnach uses that title for the jig which is itself better known as Behind the Haystack (CRÉ II, 29 and O'N i, 141).

[6]   This and no. 65 are clearly related to the Scottish Jacobite song air "Cam' Ye Ower frae France" and also to Tommy Potts's The Butterfly. The song includes a reference to "Boban (or Bobbin) John", a nickname of the Jacobite leader the Earl of Mar; as Boban John, the tune was in Robert Petrie's "Fourth Collection of Strathspeys, Reels and Jiggs" (1796).

[7]   Known in Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, as The West Mabou Reel and sometimes there attributed to Dan (Domhnull Iain an Táillear) Beaton (1856-1919), though the Irish tune is likely to be the original.

[8]   Killaghbeg House is Paddy Fahy's family home in County Galway, famous for music sessions.

[9]   In the translator''s experience, this usually refers to the different tune of the same name, CRÉ II 199, and not to CRÉ I 86, which is usually called The Woman of the House. Bean a'' Tí ar Lár is a problematic title, not usually translated, but generally understood as ""the woman of the house, on the spot, present"", or ""on the floor (i.e., for dancing)"", if ar lár is read as ar 'lár, short for ar an urlár. Caoimhín Mac Aoidh, in his book ""Between the Jigs and the Reels"", says that this tune is sometimes called Bean a' Tí Faoi Chláir, and suggests that ""ar lár"" is a corruption of ""faoi chláir"", which in Donegal Irish means ""in a coffin"", ""dead"" (literally ""under a board"").

[10]   Commonly, but incorrectly. George White's Favourite and The Lass of Carracastle (or Carrowcastle) are two different tunes, recorded as a set in 1934 by Sligo fiddler Paddy Sweeney, who often played with Paddy Killoran. When a tune combination becomes established in the repertoire, the names may easily become confused, and George White's Favourite was being called The Lass of Carracastle as early as the 1950s recording by The Kincora Ceili Band. The Lass of Carracastle itself was called Miss Langford on James Morrison's 1935 record and is in Matt Cranitch's book under the latter title. (Thanks to Philippe Varlet for this information). Miss Langford or The Lass of Carrowcastle is also in CRÉ II, 144.

[11]   A place name in County Leitrim, also anglicised as "Moherravogagh". According to P. W. Joyce in "Irish Names of Places" (Edmund Burke, 1995, three vols.), it means "tree-cluster of the tit-larks".

[12]   Pretty Girls of the Village should perhaps be considered as a separate tune, better known nowadays as Anderson's, after Michael Anderson, a Sligo piper living around the turn of the century; that tune is no. 163 in CRÉ I. According to Harry Bradshaw's biography of Michael Coleman, in which there is a photo of Anderson, he was an influence on Coleman's playing (information on Anderson from Michael Feely).

[13]   Fred Finn's homeplace in County Sligo, literally "the old woods", anglicised as "Kiltycreen".

[14]   The note in Petrie reads "Reel - queer name?"

[15]   This name is sometimes applied to Charlie Lennon's The Road to Cashel (Dr. Lennon himself, in his book "Musical Memories", says that they are the same tune) but while the first parts are virtually identical, the second parts are different. John Kelly (senior) described The Cabin Hunter as "an old Clare reel", and his playing of it on the 1968 Gael Linn LP "Seoda Ceoil" (transcribed in CRÉ III, 143) is essentially the same as the CRÉ I tune. This and the references to other related tunes in the note above suggest that The Cabin Hunter is an older tune than, and distinct from, Charlie Lennon's Road to Cashel.

[16]   This name, or Wellington's, is also sometimes applied to another reel, otherwise Sheehan's Reel; see CRÉ II, 161 (untitled) and CRÉ III, 110 (Wellington's Reel, recorded by James Morrison). Michael Coleman recorded two Wellington's Reels, the first of which is basically the same as the above tune, while the second is better known as The Copperplate.

[17]   It is widely accepted that this reel was composed by Galway accordion player Joe Mills in 1938; he called it Luttrell's Pass. Mills and Joe Cooley played together in the Aughrim Slopes Ceili Band; reportedly, Cooley liked the tune so much that he played it all over the place and it became known under his name (information from Philippe Varlet). It is sometimes attributed, with rather less evidence, (a) to Joe Cooley, (b) to Joe Cooley and his brother Seamus, and (c) to the latter pair attempting to reconstruct a tune heard once from an old concertina player (see the interview with Seamus Cooley in "The Blooming Meadows", Vallely/Pigott).

[18]   Sometimes played after Master Crowley's (or Miss Patterson's Slipper) (CRÉ II 227, CRÉ III 180) so as to form a four-part reel; thus in "The Northern Fiddler", p 71.

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 Nigel Gatherer, Crieff, Perthshire | nigelgatherer@mac.com