Bird’s (The)
The Bird’s Hornpipe is a tune I learned from Noel O’Donoghue, great flute player from Kilfenora. Hugh Healy also recorded this tune on his wonderful album Ceolaire.
Hugh Healy
McGivney’s Fancy
McGivney’s Fancy is a hornpipe associated with Éamon McGivney, a great fiddle player from Co. Longford originally but resident of West Clare for many years and one of the directors of Scoil Samhraidh Willie Clancy since the early 1980s.
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…
Sliabh Russell
Sliabh Russell (or “Slieve Russell”) is a well known jig all over Ireland. I learned this tune from my friend Tom Delany. It was also recorded on many albums, such as Hugh & Colm Healy’s “Macalla na hÓige”
Matt Peoples’
Matt Peoples’ is a great session tune that I learned from Noel O’Donoghue, Hugh Healy & Sean Vaughan. It is the second tune on the famous opening track of the fantastic album recorded by Tommy Peoples, Matt Molloy and Paul Brady.
Master Crowley’s
Master Crowley’s is a reel I learned from Hugh Healy, a great concertina player from Corofin in Co. Clare. It is sometimes played with a third part which is actually the first part of “The Roscommon Reel” (also known as Master Crowley’s!), and I’ve even heard the two tunes play together as a 5-part reel.
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”.
Mac’s Fancy
I learned “Mac’s Fancy” from the playing of Josephine Marsh, who recorded it on the great compilation album “The Sanctuary Sessions”, recorded live at Cruise’s Pub in Ennis. This jig is usually played after “Winnie Hayes’ Jig” around Doolin.
Laurel Tree (The)
“The Laurel Tree” is the second reel I have ever learned! I learned it from my friend Tom Delany during a lovely afternoon back in 2006 in the garden of Magnetic Music Café, where I used to work back then. I had this tune stuck in my head as it was the opening tune on Hugh and Colm Healy’s album “Macalla na hÓige”.
Lady on the Island (The)
The Lady on the Island is a very common session tune. I first learned it from James Cullinan & PJ Crotty’s album “Happy to Meet”. It was also recorded by Dympna O’Sullivan on her beautiful CD “Bean chairdín” and by Hugh Healy and Blackie O’Connell.
John McHugh’s
“John McHugh’s Jig” is a very common session tune here in Doolin. I learned it at one of the Super Sunday sessions in O’Connor’s Pub with Noel O’Donoghue, Sean Vaughan and Hugh Healy. It is part of one of my favourite set, which is associated with the Kilfenora Ceili Band.
Jackson’s Morning Brush
“Jackson’s Morning Brush” is an old tune that was composed in the 18th Century. I learned this jig from Hugh & Colm Healy, which they recorded on their album “Macalla na hÓige”.
Bill Collin’s Jig
I learned Bill Collin’s Jig from Hugh Healy and Blackie O’Connell’s album “We Were Drinking And Kissing The Ladies”. It is a very nice jig that is quite common in sessions. They call it “The Harty Boys” on their album
Humours of Ballingarry (The)
“The Humours of Ballingarry” is a popular jig around Doolin. It is the last tune of a set that I learned from James Cullinan abd PJ Crotty’s album. The First two jigs of this set are “Happy to Meet and Sorry to Part” and “Dooney Rock”. Hugh & Colm Healy also recorded “The Humours of Ballingarry” on their CD “Macalla na hÓige”.
George White’s Favourite
A reel I like very much, “George White’s Favourite” is a tune that I associate with Christy Barry, Terry Bingham and James Devitt. It was also recorded by Hugh & Colm Healy on their album “Macalla na hÓige”, for which particular set they were joined by Noel O’Donoghue and Eric Healy.
Galway Hornpipe (The)
I learned “The Galway Hornpipe” from Hugh & Colm Healy’s album “Macalla na hÓige”. I always enjoy playing “The Good Natured Man” after it, I think it is a very nice change.
Gaelic Club (The)
“The Gaelic Club” is not a common session tune, but I’ve loved playing it for many years now. I learned it from Hugh & Colm Healy’s album “Macalla na hÓige” and it was also recorded in 2015 by my friends Tom Delany and Caroline Keane with their band FourWinds.
Father Kelly’s
“Father Kelly’s” is quite a common session reel. I learned it after a Sunday evening session at Gus O’Connor’s Pub with Hugh Healy, Noel O’Donoghue and Kevin Griffin.
Drumraney Lass (The)
“The Drumraney Lass” is a jig that I learned from Hugh Healy and Blackie O’Connell. They recorded it on their album “We Were Drinking And Kissing The Ladies” back in 2010. X:1 T:Drumraney Lass, The M:6/8 R:Jig K:Ador |:A2A ABA|GEE G2B|A2A ABd|edB gdB| A2A ABA|GEE G2B|dBA GAB|ded dBA:|| |:def g2g|agf g2e|def g2d|edB dBA| def gfg|agf …
Drag Her Round The Road
I learned “Drag Her Round The Road” from Hugh Healy & Blackie O’Connell’s duet album “We Were Drinking And Kissing The Ladies”. It is a great reel which I have enjoyed playing for many years now and never get tired of it!
De’il Among The Tailors (The)
“The De’il Among The Tailors” is a setdance I learned from one of Doolin’s legends, concertina player Packie Russell. This being said, I actually first heard this tune on Hugh Healy & Blackie O’Connell’s album “We were drinking and kissing the ladies”. They mention Packie Russell as their source and so I learned it from the album “The Russell Family” as well.
Con Cassidy’s (Jig)
“Con Cassidy’s” is a jig from Donegal which I learned from the playing of the great flute player Frankie Kennedy, who recorded it on his wonderful duet album with Mairead Ni Mhaonaigh. Hugh and Colm Healy also recorded it on their album Macalla na hÓige.
Christmas Eve
“Christmas Eve” is a very popular session tune, and not only at Christmas time! This reel was composed by fiddle player Tommy Coen and I learned it from Hugh Healy & Colm Healy’s album “Macalla na hÓige”, which came out in 2004 and is full of great tunes.
Chief O’Neill’s Favourite
I learned this hornpipe from Hugh Healy and Sean Vaughan. There are different versions “Chief O’Neill’s Favourite” (with only F# for example), but this is what I think is the most common setting in the area.
Bucks of Oranmore (The)
One of the greatest session tunes, “The Bucks of Oranmore” is a classic reel. I learned it through various sessions, but I would associate the tune with the great banjo player Kevin Griffin.
Bird in the Bush (The)
“The Bird In The Bush” is a very common reel in sessions all over the world. It was one of the first reel I ever learned and I got it from Hugh Healy & Colm Healy’s album “Macalla Na hOige”.
Behind the Haystack
“Behind the Haystack” is a jig I learned from Noel O’Donoghue and Hugh Healy, on the second Riches of Clare CD. It is sometimes called “Munster Buttermilk” as well.