Gerdie Commane

The Lads of Laois (Reel) | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Lads of Laois (The)

The Lads of Laois is a beautiful reel that I associate with the playing of Gerdie Commane, concertina player from Kilnamona. Michael Queally (fiddle) also recorded this tune on the band Moher’s first album, “Out on the Ocean”.

Kitty Gone A-Milking (Reel) | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Kitty Gone A-Milking

Kitty Gone A-Milking is a common session tune in the area. It is a reel very much associated with concertina players from County Clare, and has been recorded, among others, by Elizabeth Crotty, Kitty Hayes, Gerdie Commane and Tom Carey. I learned this tune through various sessions.

The Kilnamona Barndance | Tunes From Doolin | Irish Traditional Music

Kilnamona Barndance (The)

I learned The Kilnamona Barndance from the playing of Gerdie Commane, in a video published by Custy’s Music Shop on their website a good few years back. John Williams, a great accordion and concertina player from Chicago who spent a lot of time in Doolin, also recorded this tune on one of the first albums of the band Solas.