Browse Content (34 total)
- Subject is exactly "Folk music--Ireland"
Parting Glass, The / The Peacock's Feather
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,…
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…
Lament for Mick Mackey
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…
Edward on Lough Erne's Shore
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.
I'll Always Remember You
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…
Miss Chrysandra Walter
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…
Montague Processional, The
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…
Curragh of Kildare
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…
Remembering Curly
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…
Tigh an Cheoil
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…
Bells of Congress, The
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…
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.
Dominick McCarthy's
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…
Brave Irish Boys, The
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…
Máire Mo Chara
This air, played here by its composer, Josephine Keegan, is a special tribute to her friend Máire McDonnell-Garvey, author of numerous books on the history and music of the West of Ireland. Máire worked all her life promoting…
Eochaill
My dear friend Ann Mulqueen, formerly of Castleconnell, County Limerick, and now living in An Rinn, the Gaeltacht area of County Waterford, is the singer on this track. Ann travelled throughout Ireland competing at Fleadhanna Ceoil, and she was much…
Old Man in the Hob
In this song, the old man sitting by the fireside calls his sons together to relate to them what it was like living and surviving in days gone by: true stories of tough times. Running somewhat parallel with the words of this song are words spoken to…
Turlough
Rodney Miller once again demonstrates that he is not only a fiddle player of extraordinary talent, but also a fine crafter of tunes. Here he plays his composition 'Turlough'.
Winifred's Well
Another composition by Margaret Lawrie, twin sister of Kathleen Lawrie, who plays on several tracks in this collection. The tune somehow reminded her of scenes she encountered in the Welsh Highlands, so Michael Burnham, who plays fiddle on this track…
Chúilfhionn, An
There are a number of versions of the ever-popular air 'The Coolin'. Two versions may be heard on this track, performed by harper/singer Pádraigín Caesar and her sister Siobhán on whistle. An English translation of the poem,…