I learned The Maid in the Meadow from Yvonne Casey’s first album. It is a great tune that you hear a good bit in sessions in the area. This reel is also sometimes called “The Dream of Home”, as collected by Breandán Breathnach. Kevin Crawford recorded this tune as well, on “D Flute Album”.
X:1
T:Maid in the Meadow (The)
R:Reel
M:4/4
L:1/8
K:Dmix
|:d2ed cAGB|Add^c dfag|fded cAGE|~E2cE EDD2:||
fdd^c d2 (3Bcd|eaag efge|fdd^c d2 (3Bcd|eaag edde|
fdd^c d2 (3Bcd|e2ag efge|f2fg eA (3Bcd|eaag efge||
I learned ”The First House in Connaught” from a one of Doolin’s legends, concertina player Packie Russell. It is an old favourite amongst concertina players in County Clare and has been recorded by Paddy Murphy, Tom Carey and Dympna O’Sullivan among others.
“The Earl of Thomond” is a barndance composed by Charlie Lennon. He wrote this tune for Tony O’Connell, concertina player from Limerick, who recorded a lovely album with Ben Lennon (Charlie’s brother) called “Rossinver Braes”.
“The Collier’s” is a common session tune and one of my favourite reels. I associate this tune with the great Tommy Peoples, but also with my friend John Fitzgerald, who is a great local whistle player here in Doolin with a style that reminds me very much of Micho Russell.
