I learned Johnny Leary’s Jig from Terry Bingham, at a workshop during the Russell Memorial Weekend 2013. It is a nice tune that you hear every now and then in sessions, but not too often.
X:1
T:Johnny Leary’s
R:jig
M:6/8
L:1/8
K:Amaj
|:cAA eAA|aga e2d|cAA eAA|Bcd Bcd|
cAA eAA|aga e2d|cde Bcd|cAA A2B:||
|:cAc ecA|dAd aed|cAc ecA|dcd Bcd|
cAc ecA|dAd aed|cde Bcd|cAA A2B:||
“Imelda Roland’s” is without a doubt one of my favourite reels. I learned if from the playing of concertina player Claire Keville, who recorded it on the album “An Trí is a Rian” with John Weir and Eithne Ní Dhonaile. In the sleeve notes of the album, Claire explains that she was told by Imelda Roland’s daughter that her mother used to lilt this tune while boiling potatoes for the pigs. The tune was picked up and made popular later by Joe Cooley and her brother Raymond Roland.
“Jim Coleman’s Hornpipe” is named after Michael Coleman’s brother who was, as far as I know, a flute player. I heard this tune played by the great banjo player from Doolin, Kevin Griffin, during a session at Gus O’Connor’s Pub. However, I actually learned it later John Wynne’s album “With Every Breath”.
I learned Kitty Hayes’ Hornpipe from the great album “Rooska Hill” by Tony O’Connell and Éamonn O’Riordan. Kitty Hayes recorded this tune herself as Junior Crehan’s. I couldn’t find this hornpipe in the book of Junior Crehan’s compositions, There is howver a reel called Crehan’s Banbhs in the book which shares a lot of similarities with this tune.
