<![CDATA[The Séamus Connolly Collection of Irish Music]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/items/browse?advanced%5B0%5D%5Belement_id%5D=49&advanced%5B0%5D%5Btype%5D=is+exactly&advanced%5B0%5D%5Bterms%5D=Folk+music--Ireland&page=2&output=rss2 Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:34:07 -0700 burnsref@bc.edu (The Séamus Connolly Collection of Irish Music) Boston College Libraries Zend_Feed http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss <![CDATA[Brave Irish Boys, The]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/545

Story

Irish céilí dancing was very popular in the late 1950s and early '60s, and dancers loved the idea of dancing to the music of different bands. In the late 1950s I was invited to join The Ormond Star Céilí Band, one of a number of bands that were formed around the banks of The Shannon and Lough Derg. The Ormond Star counted among its members many fine musicians, including All-Ireland champion button accordionist Paddy Ryan from Coolbawn, Nenagh, County Tipperary, and fiddle player Liam O'Connor, originally from Brosna, County Kerry. Liam taught me many tunes, including the one played on this track by my friend Nicole Rabata on flute, with myself on fiddle. Just for the record, The Ormond Star did travel to Dublin to make a long-playing recording – exciting times for me as a teenager.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
07-06_The_Brave_Irish_Boys-March.pdf
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<![CDATA[Dominick McCarthy's]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/417

Story

The many accordion styles in Irish and Scottish music have always held a fascination for me. The music of Mr. Dominick McCarthy is a mixture of the music of these neighboring countries. I first heard his music on Radio Éireann, and I remember seeing him perform with fiddle player Seán Ryan at one of the early All-Ireland Fleadhanna Ceoil in the 1950s. Both of these men played a lot together where they lived in the Midlands of Ireland. Dominick McCarthy played this fling for me in his own distinctive style when I was on a visit to his home in the 1980s.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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07-25_Dominick_McCarthys-Fling.pdf
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Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:43:10 -0800
<![CDATA[Thomas Power's March]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/546

Story

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.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
07-28_Thomas_Powers_March.pdf
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<![CDATA[Bells of Congress, The]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/550

Story

The Bells of Congress were presented to the United States by the Ditchley Foundation of Great Britain in 1976. A replica of the bells in London's Westminster Abbey, they are rung in honour of the opening and closing of Congress, and on state occasions and all national holidays. The Old Post Office in Washington houses the Bells of Congress and a guided tour of the building by the National Park Service is worth taking.

In the 1980s, as part of a musical delegation to Washington, D.C., representing the State of Massachusetts, I had the honour of visiting the Old Post Office and hearing the bells ring. When in full peal, the bells can take up to three and a half hours to complete their continuous performance. However, my composition on this track takes only a few minutes. I am joined by Gabriel Donohue on guitar.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
07-29_The_Bells_of_Congress-Planxty.pdf
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<![CDATA[Tigh an Cheoil]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/713

Story

My good friend Ann Mulqueen, one of Ireland's wonderful traditional singers, composed 'Tigh an Cheoil'. Tigh an Cheoil, the great pub in An Rinn in County Waterford, should be on everyone's list of places to visit when looking for a good pint, great songs, and music. Listen as Ann brings us back to her time as Bean an Tí sa Tigh an Cheoil. Beautiful words, beautiful singing by the author. This track appears on her CD, Mo Ghrása Thall na Déise.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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07-31_Tigh_an_Cheoil-Song.pdf
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Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:43:23 -0800
<![CDATA[Remembering Curly]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/401

Story

Paula, a fiddle student in one of my classes at the Rocky Mountain Fiddle Camp, asked me to 'make a tune' in honour of her late father, Curly. Paula really wanted to play something new at the student concert which was to be held at the end of the week of classes. I agreed at the time, but somehow managed to forget her request until one afternoon, I awoke from a nap in a panic. I had only then remembered my promise to Paula, and then panicked more. Never having known Curly or anything about him, it was not easy to make a tune for him. However, I did take out my fiddle and gave it a few strokes. Happily, I began to get some ideas into my head of what 'Remembering Curly' might sound like. With some shape to the tune, Paula was able to play it at the concert.

A more complete version of the tune is heard on this track, with my good friends the late John McGann playing guitar and Gabriel Donohue on keyboard. John was very involved with the transcription of the tunes for this project but, alas, he left us too soon. So in John's memory, perhaps 'Remembering Curly Remembering John McGann' might be a perfect title for this tune. Thanks, John, for all the music, stories, laughs, and friendship.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
07-37_Remembering_Curly-Air.pdf
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Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:43:09 -0800
<![CDATA[Curragh of Kildare]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/402

Story

The Curragh is a flat open plain in County Kildare, an area well-known for Irish horse breeding, training, and racing. My original source for this tune was Cathal McConnell, the master musician and singer from County Fermanagh. He played it for me when on that visit to Boston with his musical friends, The Boys of the Lough (see Cathal's Reel).

I gave the recording to my good friend Jerry O'Sullivan, who plays the tune on this track, but with his very own arrangement and interpretation. The phrasing, as one will see, is different from that of the written transcription of Cathal's playing. Fascinating, really, when one thinks of how music can be changed to suit the performer and the instrument. Thanks to both these fine exponents for their contrasting versions.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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08-33_Curragh_of_Kildare-Air.pdf
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<![CDATA[Montague Processional, The]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/547

Story

David Kaynor graciously played his own composition for me, with Pete Sutherland at the piano, at the Northeast Heritage Music Camp held at Johnson State College in Vermont in 2009. David told me that this tune occurred to him after he hosted a fiddle convention, about 1985, in Montague Center, Massachusetts. David is well-known as a caller and fiddle player in the world of New England contra dancing. His tune is very popular at weddings and celebrations. One can certainly imagine a bride walking to this elegant and stately composition. Thanks, David, and a special thanks to Jay Ungar and Swinging Door Music for permission to include the tune in this collection.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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08-36_The_Montague_Processional-March.pdf
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Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:43:16 -0800
<![CDATA[Miss Chrysandra Walter]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/403

Story

Writing the stories of these tunes brings back many memories. When Sandy, my late wife, was diagnosed with kidney cancer, my life was turned upside down. We were so happy together and loved doing and planning different things: places to see, friends to visit, recordings to make. To help and encourage young and talented people, and to travel, were part of our dreams. After I left Chrysandra at the hospital, late at night whilst driving home I thought of how good she was to me and how she wanted to make my life comfortable and easy. She always said, 'When you are with me, Baby, all you have to do is breathe'. She gave her whole life to me and, until the day she left us, was dedicated to me and to her beloved National Park Service of the United States of America.

Anyway, as I drove home that night, many tears flowed like a river and the pain hurt, but the beginning notes of this tune came to me. As I sat in her hospital room for the next few days I worked on the air, writing it on the corners of the local paper 'The Boston Globe'. The end result is what you have on this track. It is played by my friend Bonnie Bewick Brown, a member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Bonnie also arranged 'Miss Chrysandra Walter' for cello and viola and invited her friends to perform it, and they did so beautifully. I am forever grateful to Bonnie for this wonderful arrangement and for all the help she gave to me on this project. I know Sandy would be very proud of this tune and how it was played. My dear wife and friend Chrysandra will be forever remembered by me, and through this tune her memory will live on!

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
09-01a_Miss_Chrysandra_Walter_full-Air.pdf
09-01b-d_Miss_Chrysandra_Walter_Parts-Air.pdf
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<![CDATA[I'll Always Remember You]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/404

Story

Performed by my friend Bonnie Bewick Brown on violin, along with her friends Julianne Lee on viola and Mickey Katz on cello, this tune came to me on the morning in 1988 when my mother passed on to her place of eternal joy and rest. Being away from one's homeland and receiving a phone call at 6 A.M. somehow sends chills through your body. Usually, these calls relay some bad news or something you would prefer not to hear. 'Yes, Mama has died,' my brother Michael said. For some unknown reason, when I hung up the phone the first thing that I did was take out my fiddle and play. And play I did, all the while thinking of the music we had in our home as I was growing up. I played some of the tunes that my mother taught me, and I thought of all that she did for me as I endeavoured to play the music that I loved. Somehow and from someplace, this tune came to me. I went to Ireland that night and said goodbye to my Mom and when I returned to this great United States I began to work on the tune and make it my own. Looking back now over the last twenty-six years, I have come to realise that this was the last tune that my mother, Lena, gave to me. The beautiful arrangement of the melody comes to us courtesy of Bonnie. Bless you, my friend. Lena Connolly will always be remembered.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
09-15a_Ill_Always_Remember_You_violin-Air.pdf
09-15b_Ill_Always_Remember_You_full-Air.pdf
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Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:43:10 -0800
<![CDATA[Edward on Lough Erne's Shore]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/715

Story

There are a number of songs that mention Lough Erne in County Fermanagh, and much has been written about this beautiful spot. Rita Gallagher's performance of this song is a dream. Listen as one of Ireland's great singers tells the story.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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09-20_Edward_on_Lough_Ernes_Shore-Song.pdf
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Fri, 12 Feb 2016 08:43:23 -0800
<![CDATA[Lament for Mick Mackey]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/716

Story

Poet Críostóir Mac Gearailt penned the words of this song in tribute to one of Ireland's greatest sportsmen, the mighty Mick Mackey from Ahane, County Limerick. Mick Mackey played hurling for his native county in the 1930s and '40s, and the county depended on him to bring home the McCarthy Cup, the prize for winning an All-Ireland championship. Like many before me, I had the honour of shaking Mr. Mackey's hand. My father had introduced me to him when they worked together for the ESB, the Electricity Supply Board of Ireland.

In addition to Mick Mackey, the Limerick teams back in the 1930s and '40s that won All-Ireland championships had among them on the field men like Paddy Clohessy and the star goalkeeper Paddy Scanlon, who, as the song says, was 'defiant in the goal'. I got to know this great County Limerick goalkeeper and had the special honour of sitting beside him on a number of occasions when both of us travelled on the Killaloe-to-Limerick bus that wound its way through Castleconnell, where Mr. Scanlon would board. We talked at length about hurling and about other greats such as the mighty Christy Ring from Cloyne in County Cork. I have always had a fascination with the game's goalkeepers and, with my encouragement, Paddy would discuss the great ones. Doctor Tommy Daly from County Clare was many times mentioned in our discussion, as was the legendary Tony Reddin, who played in goal for counties Galway and Tipperary. I mentioned to Paddy Scanlon that I knew Tony Reddin: Tony lived in Banagher, County Offaly, and he often visited my sister's home, where I had the honour of chatting with him. Paddy Scanlon's praise for Tony Reddin was like that of many others, regarding him as one of the greatest goalkeepers of all time.

Today, May 24, 2015, it is by some strange coincidence that I write these few lines whilst listening via Internet radio to counties Limerick and Clare battling it out in Semple Stadium, Thurles, County Tipperary, in the first round of the Munster Hurling Championship. This stadium has over the years established itself as the leading venue for Munster hurling finals and a field where other Limerick teams of the past paraded with pride before capacity crowds. And so, you stalwart heroes of the 1930s and '40s, Mick Mackey, Paddy Scanlon, and Paddy Clohessy, I somehow know that your hearts would be filled with pride were you to watch the Limerick team of today running up and down the pitch in Thurles, as they hopefully make their way to Croke Park, the stadium in Dublin where the All-Ireland hurling finals are played each September, to reclaim the McCarthy Cup.

Ann Mulqueen sings with pride Críostóir Mac Gearailt's song about Ann's neighbour, the great Mick Mackey, and the giants of hurling of days now long gone. A lot of ramblings, one might say, but memories worth remembering! The ramblings themselves are part of an Irish tradition whenever our national game of hurling is discussed. And always looking for a win, the hurler on the ditch could be heard desperately shouting, 'Come on, let the game begin! Never mind the ball, play the man!'

Thank you, Críostóir, for your lovely song and for permission to use it here. Thank you Ann, and thank you Micheál Ó Conghaile and Cló Iar-Chonnachta for permission to use this recording, along with the two other songs that Ann beautifully sang for us in this collection. All of the songs were taken from her CD Mo Ghrása Thall na Déise.

P.S. I, too, played in Croke Park, but not with a hurley!

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries
10-09_Lament_for_Mick_Mackey-Song.pdf
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<![CDATA[Sitting in the Window]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/702

Story

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 track came together out of nowhere. I worked on it on and off for years and finally gave up on it. Not having a recording device the day I finished it (or was trying to), I phoned my good friend Laurel Martin and asked her if she would record it as I played it over the phone. Thanks to Laurel, the tune surfaced again and survives in this form.

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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10-22_Sitting_in_the_Window-Slide.pdf
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<![CDATA[Parting Glass, The / The Peacock's Feather]]> https://connollymusiccollection.bc.edu/document/717

Story

The majestic vocals of the one and only Len Graham bring us near the end of this collaborative collection as he sings 'The Parting Glass'. His is an old County Antrim setting of the song, one that he and Joe Holmes sang together in the Guild Hall, Derry, shortly before Joe passed away. For those wishing to further their knowledge of the music, song and traditions of an Ulsterman, Len Graham's book, Joe Holmes: Here I am Amongst You, is a must read! In 'The Parting Glass', Len wishes us goodnight and bids joy to all, but the feeling is tinged with the sadness of a goodbye. Len told me that Joe used to speed up the slow air of the song until it became the dance tune 'The Peacock's Feather'.

'The Parting Glass' somehow makes me nostalgic, bringing to mind many wonderful moments of joy and laughter as I reminisce on the years of recording and collecting for this project. These memories, the songs and music, will forever remain in my heart. Not wanting to say goodbye, I would prefer something a little more upbeat, in the spirit of what my father always said to me as I was leaving home: 'Never say goodbye, always say Cheerio'. So, I have chosen Len's song as a way of saying not goodbye, but for now, 'Cheerio'. Len, my friend, thank you for the wonderful singing, and for 'The Peacock's Feather' schottische at the end, a happy surprise!

Publisher

Séamus Connolly
Boston College Libraries

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10-28_The_Parting_Glass-Song.pdf
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