Common Tunes

Reels

The Ashplant:
Not to be confused with "The Drunken Landlady" which has a similar opening phrase.

The Crosses of Annagh:
This is sometimes called "Tommy Coen's." Named after a placename in Co. Clare, this can be related to Sligo reel "Down the Broom."

Dan Breen's:
This reel has been quite popular these days. It is actually much simpler than it sounds.

Down the Broom:
A Sligo tune closely related to another well-known reel "The Bag of Spuds." This was traditionally followed by "The Gatehouse Maid." The northern setting of the tune is called "Peter Flanagan's."

The Earl's Chair:
Another very popular session tune, which goes nicely with E dorian tunes.

Fisherman's Lilt:
Although in an unusual key in Irish music, this reel is a very neat traditional tune. Sounds nice on any instrument.

George White's Favourite:
Fine pentatonic tune which never grows old. It seems named after a piccolo player in New York back in the early 20th century.

Kitty Gone A-Milking:
A little bit old-fashioned but simple, lovely tune which occasionally pops up in many places. It is closely related to the more popular reel "The Steampacket."

The Lady on the Island:
An old classic tune for flute and fiddle duet playing. It is said that the title of the tune refers to Statue of Liberty in New York.

The Longford Tinker:
This is the Irish version of Scottish reel "Jenny Dang the Weaver."

Lucy Campbell's:
Another Irish reel of Scottish origin. It's related to some other popular tunes such as "The Lark in the Morning" and "The Boyne Hunt."

Maude Miller:
A classic tune for flute and fiddle duet. Of couse, it's nice on other instruments too.

My Love Is in America:
Another of old simple yet effective tunes. Closely related to "The Dunmore Lasses."

The New Copperplate:
Just like Rakish Paddy, this popular tune also derives from a Scottish pipe tune "Caber Feidh." Often followed by "The Old Copperplate."

The Old Copperplate:
Closely related to "The New Copperplate" and Rakish Paddy. You could play the three tunes together.

The Pigtown:
Another of quite standard session tunes. This version has some interesting variations in it.

Rakish Paddy:
Popular especially among Irish fiddlers, but originally it was a Scottish pipe tune. The variation here is an additional part which usually comes first when played.

The Roscommon Reel:
I'm not sure where this tune comes from, but it's often associated with Co. Donegal rather than Co. Roscommon. Click here for the tune which has the almost identical 2nd part.

The Tarbolton Lodge:
Well-known Scottish reel popular in Irish music sessions. It's also played in Cape Breton island, Canada.

Tommy Peoples':
Nameless Donegal reel which has been generally known as "Tommy Peoples'" since Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh and Frankie Kennedy recorded it.

Toss the Feathers:
Another of ever popular session tunes. Its mighty melody sounds nice when played both rather fast and slowly.

Toss the Feathers #3:
The least known setting of the well-known tune, but now it has become popular in many parts of the world. It seems to come from Co. Clare.

Jigs

The Banks of Lough Gowna:
This tune might be overplayed but is still a good session staple.

The Battering Ram:
A pupular tune especially among flute players.

Castletown Connors:
A rather common tune in County Clare. It works well when played as the last tune of the set, especially after a G major tune.

The Donnybrook Fair:
A real classic.

The Humours of Lisheen:
Lovely jig with fragile, melancholic feel. It seems more popular in Sliabh Luachra region than in any other part of Ireland.

The Killavil:
Another simple but effective tune. Named after a village in county Sligo, which produced a number of celebrated musicians such as Michael Coleman and Fred Finn.

The Lark on the Strand:
Another well-known, but not overplayed, traditional tune.

The Mist on the Mountain:
The jig version of Scottish air "The Mist-Covered Moutains." Attributed to Clare fiddler Junior Crehan.

My Darling Asleep:
This tune might be overplayed, but still a lovely tune you would hardly get sick of.

The Old Lark in the Morning:
More compact settin of the well-known pipe jig. It is popular in Co. Clare, but now it gets played outside the county.

The Rakes of Kildare:
This jig can be related to a well-known Shetland jig "Da Full-Rigged Ship," and a northern reel "Peter Flanagan's."

The Rose among the Heather:
Another neat classic tune.

Scatter the Mud:
One of the classic pipe jigs. While it has so many different versions, mine is mostly based on the playing of Kevin Burke.

The Trip to Athlone:
Another classic pipe jig. It's a nice D major tune to open a set with.

The Walls of Liscarroll:
A tasty jig, which is occasionally heard all over Ireland. It is also played down a note. Click here for an unusual version.

Slip Jigs

The Cock and the Hen:
Popular slip jig in an unusual key. It is often associated with Fermanagh singer and flute player Cathal McConnell.

Na Ceannabhain Bhana:
One of the most popular slip jigs. It is originally a song melody from Connemara region in Co. Galway.

Hardiman the Fiddler:
Good old tune, traditionally paired with "Taim in Arrears."

Taim in Arrears:
Originally a song melody. It is often followed by "Hardiman the fiddler."

The Whinney Hills of Leitrim:
Relatively well-known, fine Irish slip jig. There are lots of different versions being played in actual sessions, so you need to be careful when you play it in a new place.

Hornpipes

Cronin's:
Classic hornpipe associated with fiddler Denis Murhpy.

The Plains of Boyle:
Boyle is a town in Co. Roscommon. Often followed by "Cronin's."

The Stack of Barley:
Another of old favourites with a somewhat unusual structure.