I learned “Polca Dálaigh” (Daly’s Polka) from Breanndán Ó Beaglaoich and Caoimhín Ó Raghallaigh on their album “A Moment of Madness“. As you probably all know, we don’t play many polkas here in Clare, but when that album came out I had to learn a few. It is a really great album which I highly recommend.
X:1
T:Dhá Pholca Dálaigh
R:Polka
M:2/4
L:1/8
K:Ador
|:eA BA|eA A B/d/|eA BA|G2 g>f|
eA BA|eA A B/d/|ed dB|A2 A2:||
|:ed ef|ga g2|ed e/f/g|a2 g2|
ed ef|ga ge|dB GB|A2 A2:||
I learned “The Killarney Boys of Pleasure” a good few years back on the tin whistle from my good friend Johannes Perritaz, a great flute player from Switzerland. This reel is quite common in sessions around Clare.
The Sligo Maid is one of the most common reel in Irish traditional music. I associate this tune with two musicians in the area : Seán Vaughan, the great box player from Kilmaley, and Christy Barry, whistle and flute player from Ennistymon.
“Connaughtman’s Rambles” is one of the most famous traditional Irish tunes and you can hear it at sessions all over the world, including in Doolin! I associate this tune with Kevin Griffin, one of Ireland’s top banjo player who I am lucky to play with here in Doolin.
