Trip To Birmingham (The)
The Trip To Birmingham is a popular session tune that was composed by flute player Josie McDermott from County Sligo. I first learned this reel from the playing of Colette Coen, a lovely whistle player from Sligo…
Adrian McMahon
Morrison’s Jig
Morrison’s Jig is a very common Irish session tune associated with the great fiddler James Morrison from Sligo. I associate this tune this tune with my friend Adrian McMahon, a great flute player who learned many tunes from Peader Reilly. Kevin Griffin recorded this….
Sligo Maid (The)
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.
Plough And The Stars (The)
The Plough And The Stars is a reel I have learned through various sessions in the area. I also associate it with the playing of Murty Ryan, who recorded it on his duet album with Siobhan Peoples “Time On Our Hands”.
Boys of Ballinahinch (The)
I learned The Boys of Ballinahinch (also known as “The Strawberry Blossom”) from the Hugh Healy and Blackie O’Connell’s duet album “We Were Drinking And Kissing The Ladies”.
Young Tom Ennis
I learned “Young Tom Ennis” from a session in McGann’s Pub with Yvonne Casey and Terry Bingham. This jig was recorded on the wonderful album “In Good Company” by Kevin Crawford, on which he plays this particular tune with James Cullinan, the great fiddle player who lives in Doolin also.
John Dwyer’s
“John Dwyer’s” is a popular session tune composed by John Dwyer of the famously musical family of west Cork (John is a brother of Finbar, Richard and Micheal). I learned this tune from Christy Barry, Terry Bingham and James Devitt, and I now particularly enjoy playing this reel with Adrian McMahon, a great young flute …
Green Moutain (The)
I learned “The Green Mountain” from Kevin Griffin, the great banjo player from Doolin. He recorded this reel on the album “Live at The Burren Centre, Kilfenora”, which was a live recording of one of the Riches of Clare’s concerts.
Good Natured Man (The)
I learned “The Good Natured Man” with my friend Gilles Tabary (flute), on one on his visit to Doolin. I have enjoyed playing this hornpipe for many years now and it is still one of my favourites, which I particularly enjoy playing with Adrian McMahon, flute player from Kilfenora.
Galway Rambler (The)
A very common session tune, “The Galway Rambler” was one of the first reel I ever learned. It was my friend Gilles Tabary who taught it to me in Switzerland. I associate this tune with flute player Adrian McMahon from Kilfenora, with whom I have enjoyed many good sessions these past few years.
Cronin’s Hornpipe
“Cronin’s Hornpipe” is a popular tune that I learned from Terry Bingham. I also associate this tune with my good friend Adrian McMahon, a great flute player from Kilfenora. Adrian likes to play it after “The Rights of Men”, which makes a really nice change.
Boys of Bluehill (The)
“The Boys of Bluehill” is one of the most common tune in Irish Music. Some would say it is only a beginner tune, but I think it is a beautiful hornpipe. This is the version we play around Doolin, I think I got it from Terry Bingham. I like playing this tune with flute player Adrian McMahon, he usually plays it after “The Good Natured Man”.