Browse Content (196 total)
- Subject is exactly "Fiddle tunes--Ireland"
Thomas Reilly, Clerk of Fore
Rev. John Quinn from County Leitrim sent me this tune in the 1980s. It was a copy of handwritten music from The Mulvey Manuscript. Stephen Grier wrote it out on the twenty-fifth of May, 1883. Father John has supplied me with many tunes from his part…
Thomas Power's Polka
Thomas Power, fiddle player from Doonbeg, County Clare, had a repertoire of unusual old tunes. His son Michael, who lives in upstate New York, sent me a recording of his father playing this and a number of other tunes. Fiddle player Kevin Burke did a…
Thomas Power's March
Another tune from the playing of Thomas Power from Doonbeg in County Clare. On this track, I am joined by Kevin McElroy on bodhrán and Nicole Rabata on flute to perform our interpretation of the march.
Thomas Power's Jig
This jig, played here for us by Josephine Keegan from South Armagh, was learned from the cassette tape that Michael Power sent me of the playing of his father, Thomas Power, a lovely fiddle player from Doonbeg in west County Clare (see 'Thomas…
Thirteen Arches
A thirteen-arched bridge spans the majestic River Shannon as it flows through my hometown of Killaloe, County Clare. On the opposite side of the bridge is Ballina, County Tipperary. As a child I had fun saying, 'I can stand in Killaloe and Ballina at…
Terry's Jig
Here we have another melody composed by the Grand Lady of New Brunswick fiddle music, Mrs. Matilda Murdoch. Its performer on this track, who once again gives Matilda's music a genuine Irish flavour, is none other than Maeve Donnelly.
Tara and Dáire
Marie Reilly, the fiddle player from New York, played this reel at a Gaelic Roots Festival concert at Boston College, her alma mater. Thanks to Marie for bringing the tune to our attention. I did my utmost to find the tune's composer in order to give…
Swallows' Return, The
Another tune from the pen and heart of fiddle player Matilda Murdoch is the one played on this track by Maeve Donnelly. Maeve remains true to the spirit of Matilda's own style of playing, while giving it her own personal interpretation, weaving…
Summer's Waltz
A beautiful waltz played by its composer, Eliza Mette, from Cape Elizabeth, Maine, with Kimberley Fraser at the piano. Eliza made up this tune for her friend Summer, another young and talented musician. Eliza generously took the time (from doing her…
Stone Fiddle, The
Josephine Keegan, the prolific composer, fiddle player, and pianist, made up this top-notch tune. Thanks, Josephine, for sending it to me for inclusion in this collection.
Sporting Nell
A fine version of 'Sporting Nell', played here for us by one of my favourite young fiddle players, the talented Tina Lech from Boston. I first heard this reel in Chicago in 1972 played by another of my favourite fiddle players, the great Johnny…
Sitting in the Window
When my wife Chrysandra worked in Washington, DC, we lived across the Potomac in Alexandria, Virginia. During the summer months while she was working I would play my fiddle all day. I wish I had that same energy now! The tune that I play on this…
Shoemaker's Fancy, The
The young fiddle player Liam Lewis played this jig on a tape given to me by a friend one night after a concert. I stuck the tape into the cover of my fiddle case and forgot about it. Finding it later was a lovely surprise. My friend Laurel Martin…
Shandon Bells
Having lived in the beautiful and historic city of Cork in the 1960s, I often think back to the happy times I had while beginning to find my feet in the big world of city life. The clock tower of St. Anne's Church has special meaning for me because…
Séamus Connolly's
I am so honoured that my great friend, the prolific composer Bob McQuillen, wrote this tune for me. 'The Professor', as I call him, is a special person in my life and I have for many years admired his compositions and music. Bob is heard playing his…
Séamus Connolly's
I was honoured when Mrs. Matilda Murdoch from New Brunswick composed this hornpipe for me on her ninetieth birthday. After a night of playing music together at her daughter's home in Massachusetts, Matilda presented me with this very recording of…
Scully Casey's
John 'Scully' Casey, father to the great County Clare fiddle player Bobby Casey, was a well-known and respected fiddle player in his day. Bobby, in his generosity, recorded this reel for me years ago. It is played on this recording by Gráinne…
Savage Paddy
My nephew Damien Connolly plays his own composition on this track. I asked Damien for information on the tune and its title. He writes: 'I composed this tune on an old fiddle I purchased at an auction. The fiddle itself wasn't great, but it had a…
Sarah's Valentine
Eamon Flynn composed this slow jig for his daughter Sarah on Valentine's Day when she was five years old. Sarah asked her dad to 'do a song' for her. What a lovely present to get, one that will remain documented forever. This recording comes to us…
Sandy's Reel
The first time that I heard New England contra dance music was in 1972 in St. Louis, Missouri. It was on an LP recording of The Canterbury Country Dance orchestra from New England. Among the members of that band was Bob McQuillen, the prolific…