Irish Flute Tunes

Jackson’s censored Reel

As requested, here's an attempt at a flute version of a steadfastly fiddle tune.

 

 

X: 1
T:Jackson's Reel (sort of flute-friendly'ish)
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Dmaj
|:F|D2FD EDFE| DEFD EAcE|GE ~E2 GABd| ceAc dBAF|
D2FD EDFE| DEFD EFGE| ABce dBAG| F/2G/2F EG FDD:|
|:g|fd d2 ~d3f| edef edcB|A2cA BAcB| ABcA Bcde|
fd d2 ~d3f| edef edcB|ABde faea|1fd d2 ~d3:|2fddc d/2d/2c dB||
A3A B2AG| FAAF G/2F/2E F/2E/2D| ~E3F GFEG| Agec dBAF|
D2FD EDFE| DEFD EG ~G2| ABce dBAG| FAEG FDAF||

 

Here's the uncut version: https://thesession.org/tunes/1665

 

 

Peg McGrath’s reel

Here's a tune written by Josie McDermott in honour of Peg McGrath who made one of the nicest flute noises I've ever heard.

 

Carolan’s Concerto

Here's a different sort of tune by way of a change.  I've just played each part singly the first time round.  If I appear to be rushing a bit during the quicker version that's probably because I was being distracted by the smell of the 'Young's Chip Shop Fish Fillet in Crisp Bubbly Batter' which is in the process of being turned into my dinner in my oven.  I bet Carolan never had that problem.  If he did occasionally salivate over the notion of some 17th / 18th century convenience food it was probably not too much of an encumbrance on his harp playing anyway.

Cois Abhann na Séad (slow air)

I can't think of any quick tunes at the moment so here's a slow one.  I want to spell this "Cois Abhainn na Seod" but forces I don't understand take me to the spelling I used instead.  This is a song air which comes from Cúil Aodha in Co. Cork.  I probably have it all wrong but I never go to Cork so I should be safe from close quarter retribution at least.  (The title in English is "Beside the River of Gems /  Jewels - I know how to spell that anywaieieieiy).

The Glen Road To Carrick (reel)

Here's a version of a popular reel from South West Donegal.  There's at least one other version of this tune and once I've got over the trauma of trying to remember this one I'll try to remember it too. I've put 2 tunes on today as it being the twelfth of July, there are lots of other flute players and their friends clogging the streets of Belfast and causing businesses and places of entertainment to close. This gives me a lot of time to spend in the house this sunny Saturday.

The Morning Thrush (reel)

I was asked to play this reel and here's my attempt to oblige. Séamus Ennis's father wrote the tune and there's a great rendition of Séamus playing available on a CD. I think youtube even has a video of the same performance. My attempt at picking through the tune is far from what the real thing is but at least it's in 'D'. (I had to find some good point to refer to).

Brian O’Lynn (jig)

This is a fairly common tune. I'm sorry if it appears hurried in places but I was getting withering looks from a baby while I played it and that put me off a bit.

Tripping Up The Stairs (jig)

Here's a very popular jig which I was asked to play.  It's especially popular among people who are learning to play the flute or the tin whistle.  Stair carpets have a lesser regard for it.

Colonel Frazer’s Reel

I've been asked to play this one so here it is.  There are lots of versions of it and I'm never sure which one is closest to a standard one.  I'll not guarantee than this effort will make people any the wiser as to the answer to that question.

The Beauty Spot (reel)

As with a lot of apparently simple tunes, there are lots of variations of this reel.  This is in danger of not being any of them.

The Stack of Barley (hornpipe)

Here's a very common hornpipe. I'm sorry about the sound. I listened back to it (I normally don't) and it sounds as if I recorded it in a particularly cavernous public lavatory. May it was the same one in which some 1970s record companies used to record their traditional music LPs.

The Stage Hornpipe

I've been asked to try this one.  Well, at least I tried.  I sort of learned it once off a Michael Coleman record but I don't have that record any more so I'm relying on memory; never a wise move in my case.

The Monaghan Jig

Maybe safer with the twig if time is an issue.

The Antrim Rose (reel)

Here's yet another reel. It differs from the others which I've posted in that it is called "The Antrim Rose" while they are not. I am currently sitting in said county with a thorny, fragrant flower of the genus rosa within 8 feet of me. I don't think that has anything to do with this choice of tune though. There are plenty of other things even closer to hand than roses but I'm not about to play "The Dirty Mug".

Colonel Rodney’s Reel

I'm sorry about the clicky G# key in this one.  I think my fingers may need a drop oil too.

The Tempest (reel)

Here's a slightly dry-mouthed and dry-fluted go at "The Tempest".  My mouth is now so dry after playing it that I can't even type any more nonsense about it.

The Flowing Bowl (reel)

Here's one I was asked for.  For some reason (maybe because I almost never go out playing) I haven't heard this tune for a while so this version mightn't be very up to date.  It may have a chance of being recognised as at least a relative of the "Flowing Bowl" which does get played by people who do go out.

Hanley's Tweed (reel)

I've recently been reminded of this one.  I never knew its name until about ten minutes ago.  Maybe in another ten minutes' time I'll know the notes as well. I think Paddy O'Brien wrote it.  It was probably a lovely tune when it left his fingers first ... like they say in Belfast about the Titanic - "it was all right when it left here".

The Sailor's Hornpipe

I don't know that I've ever played this tune before but I've been asked for it so here is an attempt. I'm more of a terra firma person myself but I hope this maritime melody has survived my mal de mer. I've put the apostrophe before the last "s" thinking that this tune was the property of a single salt.

Ríl Gan Ainm

I know there is a name out there somewhere for this reel so I'll not write a whole pile on nonsense just now about the lack of one as I'll probably only have to change it soon anyway.

The High Level Hornpipe

Here's a tune which I think is named after a bridge.  Talking of bridges, I think I learned this on the fiddle in B flat.  My fingers seem unwilling to coax this tune out of a 2 keyed flute in that key so here it is in C.  I'm not sure whether C belongs to it but that's how it came out this time.

Molly on the Shore (reel)

Here's one I've been asked to record.  I had to look it up and I'm a bit uncertain of ho it goes.  This version is probably sufficiently washed-up to at least have some shore connections anyway.

Paddy Kelly’s Reel

Here's one for flutes with flats.  It's a bit vague here as per usual but it's a nice wee tune.

The Independent Hornpipe

This is one I was asked to play.  I don't know whether the version of the first part that goes up to a high 'C' is the normal one or whether the more land-based one rules the waves or waves at those who rule the land.  I think I heard this tune from a recording of Leo Rowsome who as Rí na bPíobairí ruled over something himself. If anyone listening is fussy about tune versions then this particular one will probably send them straight to www.vexed.com.  Hopefully most other people will either like or ignore as they prefer.

Mullingar Lea

As usual the playing here is a bit vague.  The tune just occurred to me so I thought I'd play it while the sausages were cooking.  They're done now - probably about as half-baked as this recording.

The Ivy Leaf (reel)

Here's a reel which I was asked to play. I'm not writing a disclaimer with the "Iwas asked to play" bit. It's just that I'm so glad to have been asked that I can't help but mention the asking in the posting. I used to think this was a new fangled sort of a tune but the likes of Willie Clancy played it and Francis O'Neill has it in his collection from 1907 (I missed the centenary balloons anuraidh). Here's my Friday evening go at it anyway. (The name makes me think of taking leaves intravenously. I've (y) more chance of taking leave of my ....).

Bunker Hill (reel)

I've been asked to play this.  Having tried to play it I think I know why it I never did before now (I think it might be awkward on the flute).  I couldn't even work out what the first note ought to be.  I don't think I have enough of a bunker mentality. Anyway, here's a sort of run at it.  I hope there are only 3 parts in the tune.  That's certainly all there are here. Maybe this rendition will offend someone out there into learning the tune properly.  I'm away out now to get wet and educated.

Langstrom's Pony

Here's another tune I was asked to post. Posting ponies; is that like Pony Express are are they just post ponies? Anyway, I'm never too sure of the first part but that wasn't the focus of the query to which I'm trying to respond here. I hope I haven't forgotten about any parts either. It's a good job that the latter bits (another equine apparatus related term) hadn't too many low notes as on finishing the tune I noticed that my foot joint (hoof?) had fallen off. I hope that the tune is OK, though, and promise that no animals were hurt in the recording of it.

The Mooncoin

Here's a fiddle tune.  The flute's only really a fiddle with more holes and fewer strings so it's probably acceptable to play fiddle tunes on it.  It even starts with the same letter. I vaguely remember being in a group once, many years ago, and "Mooncoin" was the polite one of the two names it had.  That's my only connection with Mooncoins.

The Eel in the Sink

I've just been asked to play this tune so here is an attempt at it. I'm about to go and do the washing up now and am feeling a bit uneasy about what may be lurking under last night's saucepans. A few wriggling elvers may actually be quite an effective dish dirt dislodger though.

The Merry Blacksmith

Here's a reel I was asked to play. My postings of late have been about as frequent as my blacksmith sightings, merry or otherwise, but being reminded of this tune at least stirred me into a brief flurry of activity. This particular tune is very suitable for the flute and provides ample opportunity for anvilesque hammering sounds on the D notes. On this occasion I seem to have let most of these opportunities slip by but at least it's nice to know that they will still be there the next time I try the tune.

Kiss me Kate (reel)

Here's a common reel.  I thought I'd probably have played this one already but I didn't see it on the site.  Maybe I called it by another name ("don't kiss me Kate" perhaps). I hope this version is OK.  My recall facility for tunes has been a bit vague lately.

Paddy Fahy’s Reel (1)

I'm not really the right person to be playing this great composer's tunes but as I'm the one who happens to be nearest this computer, I'll have to do.  I've just called this No.1 to mark it out from any subsequent PF reels which I might play in future.

The Finnish Polka

This is yet another tardy response to a request to record a tune.  I'm delighted to be asked to play specific tunes as it saves me having to think them up for myself. I had to look this one up on the internet as I didn't know it.  I hope my dot to note transfer has allowed the tune to arrive without being too scathed. I think this tune is in B minor.  My bad spelling allows me to think of digging in the ground for stripy, stingy things (stingy as in needle-arsed rather than tight arsed) but that's neither here nor there in the context of this tune. (Sorry for using the 'a' word).

The Enchanted Lady (reel)

Here's a fairly popular one, as are many enchanted things and persons.

The Graf Spee (reel)

Here's another tune I was asked for.  I've tried to oblige but I haven't quite got my sea legs.  I might have been better scuttling this attempt.

The Trip To Cullenstown (reel)

Here's another request.  I'm afraid I didn't recognise the name of the tune so I looked it up in www land.  It sort of sounds familiar; mouth organs spring to mind (if that's a thing they can do) and by the end of the tune I thought I maybe knew the start.  The version is at the mercy of whoever put it on the internet and whether he or she has the use of a reliable set of ears.

The Rakes of Clonmel

Here's a tune I was asked to play.  I'm sorry it took me so long getting round to it.  There are a few other tune requests that I'm currently in the process of taking even longer over. I played a three part version at the end of this recording.  I've heard three parts from a few people, one being Paddy Canny.  My problem regerding part 3 may be that in fact Paddy can whereas I canny play it but I thought I'd try anyway.

The Chicago Reel

I was asked to post this tune and am grateful to have been asked.  I don't know why I hadn't thought of it myself.  The setting here may be a bit dodgy but that may help to take the bad look off some of the other tunes I have played recently. I have another reel which I've been asked to play but I think I'll need to excavate a particular tape recording before I can chance the second half of it.  I'm off now to look for a shovel.

Martin Wynne's No.1 (reel)

Here's another Martin Wynne thing. I'm not sure where I learned it but it seems to have been hovering about in quite a few places. If I can think of MW3 I'll have a got at it too.

Martin Wynne's No.2 (reel)

I was asked ages ago to play this tune.  I'm sorry it took so long but I always got distracted any time I set about playing it. I think this is the number two variety of Martin Wynne reel.  I'll have to get round to recording at least one other so as to bring about a Wynne Wynne situation.

The Merry Harriers (reel)

I can't think of anything to write about this reel so

Elizabeth Kelly's Delight (Jig)

I can't promise that this tune will provoke as enthusiastic a reaction in other people as it did in Bess. Maybe she didn't get out much. I think it's a decent tune all the same which maybe doesn't get out enough either.

The Boys of Ballynahinch (reel)

I was asked to play a reel of this name.  I know there are several boys, and more than one Ballynahinch for that matter, in this country so I hope I have correctly identified all parties involved.  If I have got the wrong tune please let me know and I'll try to mend my ways.

The Callan Lasses (Donnelly's) - Reel

I've finally got around to playing this one which I was asked to play ages ago. The second part has always been a bit of a mystery to me. I hope I haven't made it even more of one with this effort. I think some of the notes are right and the order in which they appear is mroe or lses KO. (This tune had a helium fit earlier. If it is still all Pinky and Perky tomorrow I'll record it again. In the meantime I'd recommend slowdown software). (26/01/2008 - I've rerecorded the tune now.  The only problem may be that I've forgotten some of it in the meantime).

The Providence Reel

This is my recollection of a fairly common reel.  I was asked to record this one and I has taken me that long to do so that I can't even remember when I was asked.  Maybe I wasn't asked at all.  I think I have at least one other reel I'm meant to be putting on as well.  Once I improve the organisational state of my life even to the lower reaches of chaos I will do the other tune too.

Paddy Ryan's Dream (2)

Here's another Paddy Ryan's Dream.  Mr. Ryan must have been some sleeper. I think this one is close to the version that John Doherty used to call "Mooney's Reel".

Paddy Ryan's Dream (reel)

Here's my attempt to play this tune as requested to do so.  I'm not too familiar with playing it on a flute and I fear that my playing may be straying in the direction of being the sort of dream Paddy Ryan, or anyone else for that matter, may get after consuming too much cheese at bedtime. I know a different version of this tune which I'll maybe try once this one I've woken up from this one

The Green Fields of Rosbeigh (aka The Kerryman) - Reel

This is a very popular reel which I just remembered I hadn't played on this site yet.  I'm running out of popular tunes to play by this stage so when I do recall one I get a temporary happiness boost which is most welcome, especially on a dark Sunday evening like this one.  I try not to remember tunes on Friday afternoons as happiness boosts on those occasions would send me over.  I'm not sure about the two names this reel gets called by.  I suppose when someone wasn't able to remember one of them then the other sprang to their mind as an obvious alternative.  

Good Morning to Your Nightcap (reel)

I think that daycaps, mornigcaps and other headgear have left me vexed and clueless regarding the name of this reel. It was recorded by Michael Coleman around 80 years ago. I don't think he had a name for it. I'm not sure where this name came out of but it conjures up some interesting images though I can't quite tell what they are of.

The Reel of Rio

I was asked to record this which is a good thing as otherwise my memory wouldn't have stumbled upon it. Now my mental recall has been provoked, I hope this is the same Reel of Rio that got lost in it years ago. I don't know what the "Rio" in question is. Maybe its just that the name sounds better that "The Reel of Lagan".

Eddy Duffy's Barndance

Here's the one which comes after the one which I haven't posted yet.  This one and the one which isn't here are tunes from Fermanagh.

Gan Ainm (Tom Busby’s Jig)

Here's another port gan ainm. Níl port le hainm fágtha agam faoin am seo. I seem to have run out of names of tunes to post so I'm going to have to start ganning ainms for the next while. I learned this jig from a piper who has an ainm - Robbie Hannan - but whose ainm for this jig escapes me just now. I was never sure just how the two parts of the tune got on with each other but sometimes I can sense an uneasy peace between them.

Miss Ramsey's (highland)

This tune is also played as a reel with an extra bit thrown in. I'm sorry about the mess up at the end. I suddenly realised that I had seven minutes to finish the tune, upload it, write a comment, digest my dinner (I suspect that may actually take days) and catch the start of the film which appears to be the only thing on TV tonight. I'll try the reel version soon.

The Humours of Glendart (jig)

Here's my attempted response to a request for this tune.  Like most old and popular tunes it has lots of versions.  I hope that this is at least in some way related to some of them.  The Christmas to New Year period is left my memory more muddled than usual.  I hope to be more organised in 2008.

The New Custom House (reel)

I never knew much about customs, new, knew, known or none in particular but here's a tune relating to them which I hope isn't too taxing.

Gan Ainm (jig)

Here's a nameless wonder.  I don't suppose it would be very sociable of me to spend time posting tunes on the internet tomorrow, even ones with names,  so here's my Happy Christmas effort.  I hope Santa is kind to everyone and the tunes make it down the chimney without too much incident. 

The Heathery Breeze (reel)

Here's a reel from my holidays.  I don't play this very often so I hope my version has survived the years of neglect I've so lovingly administered to it. 

Smash the Windows (jig)

Here's a jig which I think is actually a single jig.  I don't really understand all these different jig types so I'll just play the notes and leave the counting to those better qualified than I am.  I think I first learned this tune from a book of the same name by Francie McPeake.  This version is probably a bit different but as I can't find the book I can't be sure.

Christmas Eve (reel)

I'm better at knowing what time it is than knowing what day or year may be around about me.  As it is cold and often dark quite early, I suspect this tune to be fairly seasonal about now.  My version of this tune becomes less reliable as the day approaches but people who really know the tune will hopefully still recognise this approximation. I'll try to think of something else to play between now and the Santa season's epicentre.

The Golden Keyboard (reel)

I can't really see what particular use could be made of a golden keyboard apart from for naming a tune after.  It's a while since I either heard or played this tune (apart from about 3 minutes ago) so I can't guarantee that some keys on this particular board may be a bit more pig ironish than golden.

The Green Mountain (reel)

Sorry it's been so long since I posted a tune.  The last thing I can remember is thinking that I was getting seasonal amnesia  (I don't rightly know whether Santa will be able to fit it down the chimney, though).  This tends to reduce the regularity of tune postings. Here's one anyway.  I'm not sure whether the title refers to the said mountain's hue or to its being made of recycled hills.  It certainly can seem on occasions to be a fairly recyclable reel.  It's a nice one all the same and helps flute players to believe that tunes aren't all that hard after all.

The Top of Cork Road (jig)

Here's a jig I nicked off a record of Johnny Cronin and Joe Burke (that's Burke with a beard and banjo rather than a beard and box).  The name is sometimes given to Father O'Flynn's jig as well.

The Cottage in the Grove (reel)

(Thanks Bernie for telling me the name of this tune). Here's a reel which is as un-ainm-ated as I feel today having been at an over-crowded, over-priced and over-cooked Christmas (it's barely even December) dinner last night. At least now it's just an over dinner without a hyphen in pursuit. Whatever about the name, I know enough about this tune to be able to say that I'm playing it in the key above its normal one. The present key is much easier on the flute than its G minor neighbour. I have to go out into the rain now and listen to the shouts of the man who drinks beside the bus stop. He appears very placid in good weather but anticyclones seem to upset him. Hopefully the bus won't be too long in arriving.

The Knights of Saint Patrick (jig)

Here's my very belated response to a request to post this tune.  I hope late turns out to be better than never.

Smith's Favourite (hornpipe)

This is the name this hornpipe is given in Alan's Irish Fiddler. I think I've heard other names, and none, for it too. It's a good tune for exercising the G# key. I've included instances of both hitting and missing it throughout the tune.

Francis John McGovern's Reel

Here's a reel which I think has Fermanagh connections.  If I knew about FJMcG I'd be more sure of this. I played the tune in a big, empty room so each note probably repeats itself about ten times.  Just like my cooking.

Maudabawn Chapel (reel)

Here's another tune I was asked to put on. One of my problems with playing this tune is that is seems to have far more notes than I do.  Another is trying to identify what these notes are and in which order they ought to come.  I tried looking at Reavy's book "Where The Shannon Rises" to see whether his version would shed any light on the matter but this just reinforced my view that none of his tunes are normally played the way he wrote them. Anyway, here's an attempt at an average of the myriad settings of this tune which tend to be lurking about the place.

Her Long Hair Flowing Down Her Back (hornpipe)

Here's a tune which it was suggested I play.  It was written by Junior Crehan.  The tune is maybe a bit too melodic for the likes of me to play so I hope I haven't mangled it too much. I've often had rain flowing down my back but that doesn't normally inspire anything other than cursing.

Darby the Driver (jig)

I was told this name for this tune by someone I sometimes trust.  I'm not sure whether this is one of those occasions. I hope it's a nice jig whatever its name is.

The Twenty One Highland

The first part of this tune should really be played an octave lower on a fiddle,  complete with nice growly bits.  I'm afraid a flute is all I had to hand so this is the best I could do.  I'm never sure how to end this tune on any instrument.  Maybe not starting it would work.

The Ladies of Tullybardee (reel)

This is a John Doherty tune which is also known as the Monaghan Switch.  There are a few versions on the go but this is the one which is stuck in my head at the moment.  It's more or less the same as the version in the book "The Northern Fiddler".

Barney Brannigan's (slip jig)

I was asked to play this tune and am very grateful to have been reminded of it.  I apologise if my evening's libatory recreations have blurred Barney's notes too much.  There's a flute player from my town who recorded this tune in a more sober manner.  If my version's vagueness is too vicissitudinal then verification could be found in the vicinity his CD. He is called Marcas. Oíche mhaith, Michael.

The Dispute at the Crossroads (reel)

This is a version of Dr. Gilbert's Reel.  I could do with the services of the same Mr. Quack as my hearing, breathing and tuning are all away with it.  I Think it's just what's known as a cold but I intend moaning about it all the same.  Sorry if this sounds worse than normal.  It's hard to sneeze and maintain in-tune-producing breaths down a flute at the same time.  Maybe I should try dissolving the Lemsip rather than snorting it.

Big Pat's Reel

Comes from big cow's?

Rakish Paddy (reel)

Here's a very popular reel. I don't know a wild pile about it.

The Devil in the Kitchen (Highland)

I think I have one of these which helps me cook.

The Flaxdresser (jig)

Here's a nice plain tune which shouldn't do anyone too much harm.

The Tailor's Twist

Here's a hornpipe I was asked to post here. It took me about ten minutes to put the flute together as I'm tired after being away for a few days. I do the travel thing very badly. If I can put myself together in ten days I'll be doing well. As for putting this tune together ...

The Butcher's March (jig)

A popular jig. I can't tell you much about it now as I have to rush off now.

The Sandpiper (reel)

Related to the emery bard.

Anach Cuain (jig)

Here's a song turned into a jig. Sorry for the higgledy-pigglediness of the posts over the next few days. I'll tidy them up next week.

The Humours of Tuaimgreine (hornpipe)

Here's a nice hornpipe from County Clare.  Some nice things do come from that county, so I'm told.

The Woods of Old Limerick (jig)

Here's one I was asked for.  I'm not too sure of the second part so I looked it up.  I hope I didn't mess it up too.  The tune itself should be nice enough and strong enough to survive the slight mangling I gave it.

Is Trua Gan Peata an Mhaoir Agam

Here's a nice, simple reel which is really a song.  I think I probably heard it on a recording of Michael Tubridy at some stage. I stole my wife's flute to play it here.  There could be a slippery slope here somewhere.

The Factory Smoke (hornpipe)

I think this tune is also known as "The Brown Coffin". I thought of the first title, and hence the tune, when I went into the kitchen to check on my dinner and was greeted by acrid fumes which made my eyes feel like I was wearing contact lenses made from slithers of onion. Now that I have eaten the dinner the second title is starting to annoy me. I think this tune is much nicer than my cooking. I've moved it up one from the G minor key some people play it in.

The Showman's Fancy (hornpipe)

The first part of this tune seems to have about as many endings as prople who play it.  It's a cheerful sort of tune for all that.

The Greencastle Hornpipe

Here's a melodic sort of a tune.  It used to be the theme tune of the TG4 programme "Geantraí".  It may well still be but it's on past my bedtime these days so I haven't seen it or heard its intro. for a while.

The Cocktail Reel

This might be related to Scotch Mary's tipple choices.  It's definitely related to the Dublin Reel.  I've heard this tune called "The Cock's Tail Reel" too.  As for this rendition (very ordinary), I can't quite recall when I played it but I hope it isn't so bad as to be offensive.

Scotch Mary (reel)

Ta CW for reminding me of this tune on C&F. I'm never too sure about C# vs. Cnat in pt.3 but I love this reel. As for Mary's taste in whiskey (or whisky) ... what's wrong with Power's or Jameson's? (apart from the paranoia they induce)

Maggie in the Woods (polka)

This was recorded by Tom Morrison in 1928 and probably by several other people since.  Maggie may be in them and I'm note sure that I'm out of them yet myself. This is the 500th posting I've put on this site so I'm away for a lie down and to think of a few tunes for the next thousand.

The Lillies in the Field (reel)

I once heard someone I know describe 2 women as being standing like "frillies in a field" but I have had little exposure to paddock based arums. This is a fairly popular tune which seems happy to have as much or little done to it is one may prefer.

The Good Natured Man

Here's a tune which seems to be going through my head a bit recently.  I think this os because Raidió na Gaeltachta are using it as the theme music for their pick of the week show "Rogha na Seachtaine", which often seems to call out from my radio when I'm washing potatoes for dinner.  With the soon to arrive winter here, the tap water will get colder and I'll get sore hands washing the spuds.  Three months of crunching at gritty tubas awaits me if I'm to save my fingers aching with the cold.

The Shetland Fiddler

Here's the tune I used to hear at sessions all the time played along with Dinky Dorrian's. For some reason it and Mr. Dorrian's reel seem fairly absent from the sessions I hear these days. Sometimes absence makes the heart grow fonder. In my case it just makes my recollections of this, and of "Dinky's", grow vaguer. In any case, here what remains of my recollections of it. I'm sure www land contains some less time-bevaguened versions.

Dinky's 'lite'

The Dermis can be taken from the feline by various means.  This one might be less painful (but you'd really have to ask Tiddles). 'E's between the 'A's in the second part seem the ease the journey a bit.  Just a notion but it might sound normal enough in a crowded pub.

Dinky Dorrian's Reel (Dinky's)

Here's a reel which was released into the wild by Francie "Dearg" Byrne who was a fiddle player from Kilcar, Co. Donegal. It is often just known as "Dinky's". I was reminded of it by its being mentioned on the C&F flute forum today. I didn't know it was a hard tune until I tried to play it here. I think it is easier on a bowed flute with strings but it is probably quicker to practice it a bit on the flute than to go off and learn the fiddle just for this one tune. It's worth getting hold of RTÉ's CD "The Donegal Fiddle" to hear the late, great Mr. Byrne playing it.

The Ballykett Courthouse

Here's a single reel from Co. Clare.  I've always been well behaved when in Co. Clare so all I know of this courthouse is that it has a reel named after it.  I suspect it hasn't heard the clatter of a gavel for some time.

Dever The Dancer (slip jig)

I'm never quite sure the title of this tune refers to someone's name or is an instruction. It is a very popular tune and is on a lot of recordings.  Packie Duignan recorded a particularly nice version of it.

Lord Gordon's Reel

This reel started out as a perfectly respectable 2 part creation but Michael Coleman threw a whole pile of other bits at it.  He must of been either having a very bad or a very good day. Here's my attempt at remembering it.

The Congress Reel

I don't think I've recorded this one already.  If I have then the previous attempt is buried in the oblivion which befits its qualities.  This tune is probably usually played in something approaching A minor.  It also seems to quite like being played a key up the ways so I've 'B' ten as well.  I think that's as far along the alphabet as I'll venture today.