Uncommon Tunes

Reels Jigs Strathspeys Slip Jigs Hornpipes Barndance Others

Reels

Aughacashel:
Though I learned it in Yorkshire, this great tune seems rather common in Co. Clare. I didn't know much about it but was recently informed it was written by Armagh fiddler Josephine Keegan.

Ballinamore:
Another gorgeous tune I picked up in Leeds, West Yorkshire. This seems sometimes associated with legendary Belfast fiddler Sean Maguire. It might sound like a composite of two well-known reels, "The Sword in Hand" and "The Roscommon Reel."

Colonel McBain:
Simple, straight-forward tune of Socttish origin. It sounds great especially when played slowly.

Dobbin's Flowery Vale:
Beautiful Irish reel. According to Frankie Kennedy, this is originally a song melody while some say it is a recent composition.

The Drummond Lasses:
The title suggests this reel has a Scottish origin. This setting comes from Co. Fermanagh, south Ulster.

Gan Ainm:
Nameless Breton tune with Irish flavour. It was collected by Diarmaid Moynihan, the founder and great composer of the band Calico.

Garrett Barry's:
This is a variant of popular reel "Miss McLeod's," and East Galway flute player Mike Rafferty jokingly renamed it "Mister McLeod's."

Handsome Sally:
Probably the simplest and most beautiful variant of "Drowsy Maggie." This setting comes from Co. Fermanagh, south Ulster.

Jenny Dang the Weaver:
Like many tunes of Scottish origin, this one is played in Cape Breton and Donegal as well. The 3-part Irish setting is known as "The Longford Tinker."

John Egan's:
This is a nameless traditional Irish tune which was named after the Sligo flute player. According to Paul McGrattan and Paul O'Shaughnessy, John Egan "saved it from being lost."

Mama's Pet:
This was originally a very local East Galway version of the tune, which is often associated with Eddie Moloney of Ballinakill. Now it has become popular among flute players through the recordings of Michael McGoldrick, Kevin Crawford, and Catherine McEvoy.

Mary McMahon:
A lovely tune from Co. Clare. It's not so uncommon, but certainly not overplayed.

Micho Russell's:
This tune is locally well-known in Leeds, West Yorkshire, but probably not in any part of the world.

Da New Rigged Ship:
This is probably the most popular traditional Shetland reel. It is actually not uncommon in Scottish music sessions, and often paired with "The Full Rigged Ship."

The Night We Had the Goats:
Fine, simple Scottish pipe reel which derived from an old Gaelic song. Also played in Cape Breton island, Canada.

O'ot Be Est Da Vong:
Another Shetland reel. In Scottish mainland, this is known as both the melody of mouth music and a pipe tune.

Peter Flanagan's:
Northern setting of "Down the Broom." Popular with Fermanagh flute players.

The Primrose Lass:
This is a Cape Breton version of well-known Irish tune. Maybe not Irish in origin.

The Reel with the Birl:
Obviously, it is related to well-known reel "Drowsy Maggie." The word "birl" refers to the technique of fiddle playing. This used to be popular in some parts of Ireland, but not very much now.

Sonny's Return:
Another of beautiful but not overplayed reels. It's sometimes associated with Paddy Lynn, an accordion player of Co. Mayo. The version here is the one for flute.

The Templehouse:
This is a relatively well-known tune, so might be very commonly heard somewhere. I suspect it's related to "The Ships are Sailing."

The Trip to Cullenstown:
One of the easiest tunes to learn for flute or whistle players. Also played in A major.

Tyrone Ashplant:
A variant of popular tune "The Ashplant." It's also closely related to other well-known tunes such as "Within a Mile of Dublin" and "The Mountain Top." The two parts are sometimes switched around.

Up Against the Buachalawns:
I'm not sure, but this tune might be quite common somewhere. Very straight-forward and sounds gorgeous on any instrument.

Jigs

The Banks of Newfoundland:
A very straightforward and effective tune. It works well when played nice and slowly.

The Boys of Coomanore:
It may sound like a composite of "The Rolling Waves" and "The Hag with the Money."

By Golly:
The title of this tune is the expression often used by Chicago fiddler Johnny McGreevy. Simple but beautiful tune.

Castletown Connors:
There are two tunes with the same title, but this is less common one. This is a real gem among other old-fashioned tunes.

The Green Fields of America:
The jig version of a well-known reel. It's been in the repertoire of the musicians in Leeds, West Yorkshire and Co. Clare. Probably some other parts of the world as well.

The Hills of Glenorchy:
Another of very international tunes of Scottish origin, which is especially popular among the fiddlers. In Cape Breton, it's normally played in A dorian with funky variation.

The Holm Band Tune:
A jig from Orkney isles, Scotland. It might be related to Irish jig "The Maid at the Well."

The Kinnegad Slashers:
A lovely pipe jig, whose title is said to refer to an uprising against England.

Mrs. O'Sullivan's:
Another title of this jig is "I Ne'er Shall Wean Her." Sure enough, it sounds a little sentimental.

The Munster Bacon:
I don't know much about this lovely old-fashioned jig, but it's regularly played in some places.

Over the Hills:
An Irish version of "The Hills of Glenorchy."

The Piper's Chair:
A traditional Irish pipe jig named after a rock formation on the cliffs near Doolin, Co. Clare. Often associated with Micho Russell from the village.

The Rolling Waves:
I recently found this jig is fairy uncommon in many places. But it's a really lovely tune suitable for beginning whistle and flute players.

The Tenpenny Bit:
The lesser known one of the two jigs with the identical title. This is often associated with the Sligo musicians, Peter Horan and Fren Finn.

The Yellow Wattle:
Another of Irish pipe jigs. It is known as a particular favourite of West Clare whistle player Micho Russell.

Young Tom Ennis:
A tasty Irish jig, which is also known as "Banshee's Wail Over the Mangle Pit." It can be played in various keys, but my version here is the whistle- and flute-friendly one.

The Walls of Liscarrol:
Belfast flute player Harry Bradley's version of a well-known jig. It seems his version is based on the transcription which appears in "The Roche Collection." Click here for the normal version.

Strathspeys

A.A. Cameron's:
A fine, simple strathspey. The triplet in the last phrase makes it easier to move on to a jig.

Bidh Eoin:
This is actually a highland from the north of Ireland. It derives from an old Scottish song "Seallaibh Curraigh Eoghainn," meaning "See Hugh's Boat."

Captain Campbell:
Scottish in origin, this tune is being played both in Cape Breton and Donegal. A straight-forward but very effective tune.

The North Brig o' Edinburgh:
Another simple, melodious strathspey. The north bridge of Edinburgh is the biggest bridge in the city, but it was built across the rail roads, not a river.

Slip Jigs

My Mind Will Never Be Easy:
This tune seems to derive from a Scottish song. This version is mostly based on the playing of Sligo band, Dervish. Double jig settings of this tune are known as "Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part."

Down in Abbey:
A very rare East Galway tune. Abbey is actually a placename in Co. Galway. It seems related to "Hardiman the Fiddler."

Hornpipes

The Blackbird:
There are several tunes with the title, but this one is probably least known. It's a lovely tune and should be played more often.

The Humours of Tullycrine:
A dramatic hornpipe. Tullycrine is the name of a town in Co. Clare. My version here is based on the playing of two great concertina players, Mary MacNamara and Niall Vallely.

Miss Galvin's:
This tune was originally a fling called "Garrai na Saileog," which means the Willow Garden. Now it's commonly played as a hornpipe.

Tom Connor's:
A fine hornpipe from the repertoire of Denis Murphy, the legendary fiddler from Co. Kerry.

Barndance

If We Hadn't Any Women in the World:
Although having a very unusual name, this is a very lovely tune. Nice on flute with simple fingerings.

Miscelleneous

Andy Kerrin's:
A lovely set dance from the repertoire of Cathal McConnell, the Fermanagh flute player and singer.

Christmas Day Ida Moarnin':
Shetland tune with a haunting melody. The legend says it was composed by a fiddler Fredaman Stickle in the 19th century. It should be played throughout the year.

Airs

Farewell to Glasgow:
Strangely enough, I've met no Scottish musicians who know this extremely beautiful slow air.

The Mist-Covered Mountains:
Beautiful melody from old Scottish song tradition. The Irish jig with the same title is a composition of Junior Crehan based on this slow air.