Patsy Touhey’s
I learned Patsy Touhey’s many years ago from the playing of Terry Bingham and was recently reminded of this great tune by Jack Talty.
Terry Bingham
Josephine Begley’s
I first learned “Josephine Begley’s” many years ago from Terry Bingham’s album, on which he calls this tune “Mairtin O’Connor’s”. I only found out in February 2021 that this hornpipe was in fact a composition of Frankie Gavin. It is the great flute and concertina player from Laois Tommy Fitzharris who provided me with this information.
New Mown Meadow (The)
I learned “The New Mown Meadow” from the playing of Terry Bingham. It is a great reel that suits C#/D accordion players very well in particular and it is also quite common to hear this tune in A minor.
Lost And Found (The)
I learned The Lost and Found from the the playing of Terry Bingham. It was one of the first tunes I ever learned on the concertina and has been one of my favourites ever since. It is quite a common session tune too!
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.
Little Katie Taylor
Little Katie Taylor is a composition of Limerick flute player Paddy Taylor. I learned this reel from Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend back in 2013 I believe.
Lillies in the Field
I learned “Lillies in the Field” from Terry Bingham’s wonderful concertina album (he calls it “PJ Conlon’s on his album). It is a great reel which I have enjoyed playing for many years now and I also associate it with the playing of Tony MacMahon.
Larry The Beer Drinker
I learned “Larry The Beer Drinker” from Terry Bingham during a concertina workshop at the Russell Memorial Weekend 2014. Andrew MacNamara recorded this tune on his album “Dawn”, he plays it after one of my favourite jigs, “Contentment is Wealth”.
Kilmaley Jig (The)
I learned The Kilmaley Jig from Terry Bingham’s CD “Traditional Irish Music from Doolin, Co. Clare”, which is one of my all-time favourites. He follows this tune with “Billy McCormick’s”, another lovely jig. Kilmaley is a parish here in Co. Clare, close to Ennis.
Kilcummin (The)
“The Kilcummin” is a tune I learned from a session in McGann’s Pub with Yvonne Casey and Terry Bingham. They played it as a jig, but I think it is also played as a slide.
Jolly Tinker (The)
I learned “The Jolly Tinker” from Yvonne Casey and Terry Bingham at a session in McGann’s Pub. It is a great 5-part session tune and lately I’ve heard it a lot as part of a set that Kevin Griffin, Noel O’Donoghue and Sean Vaughan play together : Colonel Frazer, The Bucks of Oranmore & The Jolly Tinker.
Johnny Leary’s Polka
“Johnny Leary’s Polka” is a tune I learned from Terry Bingham at a workshop during the Russell Memorial Weekend back in 2013.
Johnny Leary’s Jig
I learned Johnny Leary’s Jig from Terry Bingham, at a workshop during the Russell Memorial Weekend 2013. It is a nice tune that you hear every now and then in sessions, but not too often.
Maho Snaps (The)
“The Maho Snaps” is a lovely little jig that I got from Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend a few years back. I believe Terry got this tunes from Cathal McConnell, the flute player with The Boys Of The Lough.
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 …
Jenny Picking Cockles
I learned “Jenny Picking Cockles” from Terry Bingham, who recorded it with Dermot Byrne on his album “Traditional Irish Music from Doolin, Co. Clare”. I also associate this tune with my good friend Paolo Cerato.
Jackie Small’s
“Jackie Small’s” is a jig that I learned from Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend back in 2015, and I believe got that tune from the playing of De Dannan. It also features on a great album called “The Bank of Turf” by Tommy Fitzharris (flute) and Donal McCague (fiddle).
If There Weren’t Any Women In The World
I learned this lovely barndance, “If There Weren’t Any Women In The World”, from a session with Terry Bingham, Yvonne Casey and Stéphane Germain at Fitzpatrick’s Pub back in 2012. I have played it with Terry on other occasions since and he likes to play it after a hornpipe called “Caisleán an Óir”.
Hole In The Hedge (The)
“The Hole In The Hedge” is a jig I picked up at a session in Gus O’Connor’s Pub with Eoin O’Neill, Quentin Cooper, Jon O’Connell, Terry Bingham and Thierry Masure. It is related to “Larry The Beer Drinker”.
Hold The Reins
I learned “Hold The Reins” from a session recording I made of a nice evening in Hotel Doolin back in 2008 with my friend Stéphane, Yvonne Casey and Terry Bingham. It was also recorded by accordion and concertina player from Chicago John Williams, who has spent a lot of time in Doolin over the years. It is also called “The Dublin Lads”.
Harvest Moon
“The Harvest Moon” is a reel that was composed by Paddy O’Brien. I first heard it on PJ Crotty & James Cullinan’s album, but I learned it through various sessions, with Stéphane, Yvonne Casey & Terry Bingham in particular. Adam & Dave Shapiro also recorded it on their album “Cape to Clare”.
Goat On The Green (The)
“The Goat On The Green” is the first tune I ever learned on the concertina. It comes from Terry Bingham’s album, as part of a set called “Charlie Harris'”. It is not a very common session tune but you hear it every now and then. It also goes by the name “The Frog In The Well”.
Glenside Cottage (The)
“The Glenside Cottage” (also known as “The Old Ruined Cottage In The Glen”) is a reel I learned from Terry Bingham’s album. It is the first tune of a set that Terry learned from Jackie Daly, the great accordion player from Sliabh Luachra who now resides in Miltown Malbay. The second tune in the set is “I Have No Money”.
Girls of Banbridge (The)
I learned “The Girls of Banbridge” at a workshop with Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend a few years back. I don’t remember hearing this jig in sessions but I think it’s a really nice tune nonetheless.
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.
I Have No Money
I learned “I Have No Money” from Terry Bingham’s album. It is a reel that comes from the playing of Jackie Daly, the great accordion from Sliabh Luachra who now lives in Miltown Malbay. He recorded it in a set after “The Glenside Cottage”, and Terry Bingham recorded the same set.
Flowing Tide (The)
“The Flowing Tide” is a hornpipe that is very much associated with the playing of the legendary Chris Droney, concertina player from Bell Harbour. I actually learned it from Christy Barry, James Devitt and Terry Bingham.
Eel In The Sink (The)
I learned this reel from Terry Bingham’s album, but it is also a tune I associate with Sean Vaughan, a great accordion player from Kilmaley who plays in Doolin often. It was also recorded by John Williams on his first album. He plays it after “Thadey Casey’s” and this is a set I play regularly.
Eddie Moloney’s
I learned this lovely jig, “Eddie Moloney’s”, from Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend back in 2012. Eddie Moloney was a flute player from East Galway and this particular tune was recorded on one of my all time favourite albums, “The Thing Itself” by Maeve Donnelly & Peadar O’Loughlin. X:1 T:Eddie Moloney’s M:6/8 L:1/8 …
Durrow Reel (The)
This reel was written by John Nolan and was originally called “The Boogie Reel”. I learned it from Terry Bingham’s album, on which he calls it “The Durrow Reel”.
Donegal Reel (The)
“The Donegal Reel” is a tune I learned from Terry Bingham at a workshop during the Russell Weekend 2012. It is a favourite of my friend Pat Lynch, fiddle player from Kilfenora.
Doctor Gilbert’s
“Doctor Gilbert’s” is a great reel which I associate with Terry Bingham and Christy Barry. There is also another version of this tune known as “The Dispute At The Crossroads”, is associated with the late John Doherty, the fiddle player from Donegal.
Dinny O’Brien’s
I learned “Dinny O’Brien’s” at a workshop with Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend a few years ago. It is a reel written by the great composer Paddy O’Brien from Tipperary.
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.
Cavan Reel (The)
I got “The Cavan Reel” at a session with Terry Bingham & Yvonne Casey at McGann’s Pub. Mary MacNamara also recorded it on her album “Blackberry Blossom”, and it is known as Mike Flannagan’s as well.
Caisleán an Óir
Caisleán an Óir (The Golden Castle) was composed by Junior Crehan from Miltown Malbay. I learned it from Terry Bingham, who often plays it after “If there weren’t any woman in the world”. It was also recorded on Matt Molloy and Sean Keane’s brilliant album “Contentment is Wealth”.
Butcher’s March (The)
I learned “The Butcher’s March” from Yvonne Casey and Terry Bingham. They recorded this jig on the great CD in support of the Doolin Coastguards, back in 1994.
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”.
Billy McCormick’s Jig
I learned “Billy McCormick’s Jig” at a workshop with Terry Bingham during the Russell Memorial Weekend in 2012. Terry also recorded this tune on his album, after “The Kilmaley Jig”. He associates it with fiddle player Connie Connell’s.
Banks of Newfoundland (The)
“The Banks of Newfoundland” is a very nice jig I heard during the Russell Weekend 2013 with Christy Barry and Terry Bingham. Terry got it from John Blake, Lamond Gillespie and Mick Leahy’s album “Traditional Irish Music From London”.
Apples in Winter
“Apples in Winter” has been one of my favourite jigs for a very long time. I first learned it from a session recording I made of Yvonne Casey, Terry Bingham and my friend Stéphane.