Search Results

James & Gus McElroy These two recordings of James McElroy and his son Gus were kindly given to me by Jim Walsh of the McElroy family. Reels - The Maids of Castlebar and Drowsy Maggie James McElroy (1892 - 1982) playing the well-known reels the Maids of Castlebar and Drowsie Maggie. Recorded c. 1960. Maids of Castlebar & Drowsy Maggie - Reels James McElroy 00:00 / 02:19 Reels - Cooley's Reel and The Mason's Apron James and his son Gus McElroy playing the well-known reels Cooley's and the Mason's Apron. Recorded c. 1960. James and Gus McElroy - Cooley's Reel & the Mason's Apron James McElroy 00:00 / 02:56 Eddie McMullan Jigs - Untitled, Gerry's Beaver Hat, Biddy the Bold Wife Eddie McMullan plays three jigs, the first one is untitled followed by Gerry's Beaver Hat & Biddy the Bold Wife . Untitled, Gerry's Beaver Hat, Biddy the Bold Wife Eddie McMullan 00:00 / 02:13

Map of Central Down (West) William Kennedy The O'Neills of Kilpike, Banbridge The Legacy of the O'Neills The McKinleys of Drumnaferry Fr Tom McConville Marie Lavery, The Laverys of Redhill Jim Creaney of Mullaghcarton

The Old Time Fiddler c.1963 Tom Miskelly, Danny Cromie, Willie Savage (younger) & Alec Crawford Blackthorn Céilí Band c,1960 Peter Gallagher, Sean Quinn, Harry Magee, Gus McElroy & Maurice Rodgers Blackthorn Céilí Band c.1962 Sean Quinn (piano accordion) on the left, Gus McElroy (fiddle) & Dan McElroy (piano accordion) on the right Baile's Dance Band, 2003 Jackie Bailie (fiddle), John Bailie (banjo) & his wife Anne (keyboards) - Village Hall, Greyabbey. Blackthorn Céilí Band c,1960 Peter Gallagher, Sean Quinn, Harry Magee, Gus McElroy & Maurice Rodgers 1/5 The Dundrum Céilí Band c.1957 Joe Cardwell, Michael Rodgers, Kevin Cunningham, Harold Hurley, Billy Redmond, Johnny McKeating & Eddie Mason John Burns Dance Band, Irish Club, Bristol, 1962 Harry Grover (button accordion), Michael Cotter (drums), John Burns (fiddle), the names of the piano accordionist & pianist are not known Céilí Band, Ashley Hall, Belfast, 1993 Davy Graham (Bangor), Willie Coyle (Kircubbin), Nigel Boullier (Bangor), Dianna Skillen (Bangor) & Michael Herron (Coalisland)

Step Dancing Videos Maggie Pickens Maggie Pickens, also known as Maggie Pickie, was a very popular step dance throughout Down and much of Ulster. It is danced solo or as a two-hand dance. Interestingly several fiddle players were keen step dancers - Jackie Donnan, Willie McCloy, Willie Herron and James McElroy - to name but a few. Both Jackie and James danced Maggie Pickens, in fact James McElroy would often have asked Jackie to play the tune for James to dance to. Bernie Graham and Bernie Corr (dancing below) learned this version of Maggie Pickens from Margaret Rea and Joe McGuigan of County Derry. Dancers - Bernie Graham (Bangor, County Down) & Bernie Corr (Randalstown, County Antrim) Fiddles - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Gweedore, County Donegal) and her daughter Nia Ní Bheirn. Recorded - 23rd July 2022 in Belfast on the Titanic Dock. Dance Instructor, Bernie Graham (Bangor, County Down) front row in the centre, leads her step-dancing class in dancing Maggie Pickens for Belfast Trad in the Rosemary Hall, All Souls Church, Belfast 2020. Fiddle - Martin Dowling (Belfast) Mazurka The original Mazurka was danced as a set of four couples; it derived from a Polish Folk dance from the province of Masovia in the 1840s. The two-hand dance the Polka Mazurka then derived out of the Polka but was danced to Mazurka music. The Polka Mazurka is a popular dance around East and Central County Down; the only other area that I have the seen the Polka Mazurka danced is in Glenties in County Donegal. In Down and Donegal the Mazurka is generally a two-hand dance. Bernie Graham learned the following Mazurka danced solo from M argaret Rea, the step dancer from Derry City. It came from C é line Tubridy who learned it in Gortahirk in North-West Donegal where she was raised. The steps can be found on page 90 of A Selection of Irish Traditional Step Dances , 1998 written by Michael Tubridy ( C é line's widower) where it is titled the Little Dutch Dance . Dancers - Bernie Graham (Bangor, County Down) & Bernie Corr (Randalstown, County Antrim) Fiddles - Mairéad Ní Mhaonaigh (Gweedore, County Donegal) and her daughter Nia Ní Bheirn. Recorded - 23rd July 2022 in Belfast on the Titanic Dock.

David Carse - Part 3 1 Reel - New May Moon Reel - Craig of Ailsey 2 Reel - The Opera Reel 3 Reel - The Maids of Galway (HD ref WMcC98) Reel - Dick's Reel Jig - The Campbells are coming (HD ref JW294) 4 Hornpipe - The Cuckoo's Nest (HD ref JD147) 5 Reel - Jenny among the hay Reel - Carrickmannon Lasses (HD ref WS128) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The Quaker generally titled Merrily danced the Quaker (HD ref JD158) 6 Waltz - The Scotch Waltz, also locally called The Girl from Foley's Hotel or Sweet Sixteen (HD ref WS135) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - 3rd Lancers locally titled Whut wud ye dae if yer Rump was brok (HD ref JS123) 7 Jig - Father O'Flynn Reel - Glasgow Reel 8 Schottische - Come and Go Schottische 9 Reel - Gypsy Lass (HD ref WMcC97) Hornpipe - Untitled Hornpipe 10 Hornpipe - Untitled Hornpipe Strathspey - Untitled Strathspey 11 Reel - Carrickmannon Lasses (HD ref WS128) Reel - Jenny among the Hay Polka - Ballroom Polka 12 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Duncan Davidson (HD ref WS128) Polka - Dargon Polka Schottische - What's a' the Steer 13 Song - Home fires burning Reel - Purty Kate 14 Polka - Heel and Toe Polka Jig - Paddy get up (HD ref JE179) Reel - The Blackbird (HD ref WMcC97) 15 Reel - Scotch Mary (HD ref JW321) Hornpipe - Untitled Hornpipe 16 Hornpipe - The Caspier's Hornpipe Hornpipe - The West End Hornpipe 17 Reel - The Black Haired Girl Reel - The Wine that shook the Barley Jig - Rory O'Moore 18 Hornpipe - The First of May (HD ref JD148) Hornpipe - The old Wife of 80 years 19 Figure Dance - Bessy Black (HD ref WS113) Country Dance - Princess Royal (HD ref WMcC93) 20 Indecipherable Jig - Aprons On (HD ref RQ203) Jig - The Royal Arch Mason (HD ref JW298) 21 Jig - Jackson's Trip (HD ref JS82) Jig - Tilerugan Lodge Jig - The Connaught Man's Rambles (HD ref WMcC95) 22 Untitled Strathspey - Miss Lyle's Strathspey (HD ref JD163) 23 Jig - Killyban Braes Reel - Mason's Apron (HD ref WMcC98) 24 Jig - Trip to the Cottage Reel - Push about the Joram (HD ref RQ205) 25 Polka - Untitled Polka (last 3 bars) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled locally titled Whut wud ye dae if yer Rump was brok (HD ref JS123) Reel - Miss McLeod's Reel (HD ref JW319) 26 Reel - Touch me if you dare (HD ref JRQ206) Hornpipe - The Blackbird 27 March - The White Cockade Polka - The Wooden Stane Dyke 28 Waltz - Untitled Waltz Reel - Katy got her clinkin generally titled The High Road to Linton (HD ref JD161) 29 Waltz - The Woodland Whisper (HD ref JW341) Waltz - The Dewdrop (HD ref RQ207) 30 Schottische - The Governor Schottische Schottische - Untitled locally titled John Simpson's Schottische (HD ref JS85) 31 Waltz - The Cornflower Waltz (HD ref WS135) Jig - The Blackthorn Stick occasionally called The Moorhall Jig (HD ref JSav124) 32 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled generally known as 4th figure Patience Lancers (HD ref WS124) 2nd part Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled (Jimmy Ward's No 6 for 1st of the Lancers HD ref JW313) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled generally known as 4th figure Patience Lancers (HD ref WS124) 1st part

Map of East Down The Savages of East Down Jackie Donnan, Willie Lindsay The Jimmy Savages, Jimmy Bonar, Bobby Geddis The Miskellys of Ballygowan The Fiddler Orr and 1798 at Carricknacessnagh The Edmond Brothers, Godfrey Downey, Jimmy McVeigh Robert McVeagh, Hughie Hunter, Henry Harris, Willie Silcock The Quinns of the Glass Moss

Andy Dickson 2 The following audio tracks were recorded at the Tivoli Bar Folk Club, Donaghadee on 17th April 1978 by Denis Reynolds which he later digitised. Reel - The Man from Bundoran & The Glass of Beer Andy Dickson (fiddle), Dermy Diamond (banjo), Tara Bingham (flute) accompanied b y Eugene "Spooly" Kelly (guitar) and Sammy Weir (bodhran) play two reels - The Man from Bundoran and The Glass of Beer. The Man from Bundoran, The Glass of Beer Andy Dickson 00:00 / 02:37 Reels - McDonagh's & Charlie Lennon's No.4 Andy Dickson (fiddle), Dermy Diamond (banjo), Tara Bingham (flute) accompanied b y Eugene "Spooly" Kelly (guitar) play two reels - McDonagh's and Charlie Lennon's No 4 McDonaghs, Charlie Lennons No 4 Andy Dickson 00:00 / 03:08 Reels - The Crosses of Annagh, Crowley's & Fergal O'Gara Andy Dickson (fiddle), Dermy Diamond (banjo), Tara Bingham (flute) accompanied by Eugene "Spooly" Kelly (guitar) and Sammy Weir (bodhran) play three reels - The Crosses of Annagh, Crowley's and Fergal O'Gara. Crosses of Annagh, Crowleys, Fergal OGara Andy Dickson 00:00 / 03:58 Reels - Farewell to Ireland & The Tarbolton Andy Dickson (fiddle), Dermy Diamond (banjo), Tara Bingham (flute) accompanied by Eugene "Spooly" Kelly (guitar) and Sammy Weir (bodhran) play two reels - Farewell to Ireland and The Tarbolton. Farewell to Ireland, The Tarbolton Andy Dickson 00:00 / 05:29 Jigs - The Black Rogue & Richard Dwyer's Andy Dickson (fiddle), Dermy Diamond (banjo), Tara Bingham (flute) accompanied by Eugene "Spooly" Kelly (guitar) and Sammy Weir (bodhran) play two jigs - The Black Rogue and Richard Dwyer's. The Black Rogue, Richard Dwyer's Andy Dickson 00:00 / 03:12

Step Dancing to fiddle music below Spence's Mountain, east Mourne Mountains, 1874 Hans & Annie Donnan c.1900 Champion step dancer Hans Stephenson Donnan (1859 - 1900) Dancing on Bangor Boat, 1906 Square Dancing, Bangor, 1963 Hans & Annie Donnan c.1900 Champion step dancer Hans Stephenson Donnan (1859 - 1900) 1/13 Dancing Half Sets at Lambeg on the River Lagan, c.1930 Dancers are thought to include; Dorothy Beattie, Patricia Mulholland, Roy Lillie & Joe Stewart (gentleman in the top hat). Fiddlers thought to be Paddy O'Rafferty and his daughter McElroy's Ceili, 1949 Clea Ball, 1900 Waringsford Orange Hall, 1920 McElroy's Ceili, 1949 1/12 Greyabbey Village Hall, 2006. American students visit the weekly dancing class Back row - US student, Philip Robinson, Andy Brown, US student, John Bailie, Phyllis Goodall, US student, Hammy Lawther, Betty Schofield, Betty Woods, Margaret Gibson, John Davidson, Jim Cuthbertson Middle row - Rachel McAvoy, US students Front row - two US students, Nigel Boullier (fiddle), Jackie Donnan (fiddle), Bob Traite

Map of the Ards Peninsula John Macpherson Mulhollan Ned & Tom McCarry Andy Hanlon of Portaferry Sam White, Joe & Mary Walker, John & Annie Eadie Jimmy Bailie, the Kearneys, Barney Smyth, Brigid McGrath Harry Coulter Jim McBride, Agnes White Francis Donnelly, Eddie Devine, James Tomelty James Bailie, Frank & Bob Caughey, James Reid & Johnnie Dunn Eddie McMullan, Stevie Egan

Sessions The Bus Pass Ceili Band - Rice's International Bar, Newtownards Reel - The Boy in the Boat Jackie Flynn (accordion), Bernie Stocks (fiddle), Davy Graham (guitar-bouzouki), Trevor Stewart (pipes), Dianna Skillen & Nigel Boullier (fiddles), Paul Bell (flute), Ian Hull (bodhran). Recorded 4th January 2023. Jig - Connie the Soldier Jackie Flynn (accordion), Bernie Stocks (fiddle), Davy Graham (guitar-bouzouki), Trevor Stewart (pipes), Dianna Skillen & Nigel Boullier (fiddles), Paul Bell (flute), Ian Hull (bodhran). Recorded 4th January 2023. Ards Peninsula Sessions - Coach Inn, Portaferry Reels - Austin Tierney's & Return to Miltown From the left; Shirley Howard (fiddle), Davy Graham (mandola), Anita Anderson (piano accordion), Bob Torrens, Ernie Swain, Marie & Deirdre Shannon, Dianna Skillen (fiddles). Recorded 4th November 2012. Reels - Sailing into Walpole's Marsh & the Galtee Ben Healy (flute), Davy Graham (mandola), Bob Torrens, Ernie Swain, Marie & Deirdre Shannon, Dianna Skillen (fiddles), Ian Hull (bodhran). Recorded 4th November 2012. Jig - Sean Ryan's No. 3 This jig was known as Sean Ryan's Number 3 in the Comber and Balloo sessions because it was played in a set after two other compositions of Sean Ryan's. It is generally titled the Dooney Rock . Davy Graham (mandola), Shirley Howard, Bob Torrens, Ernie Swain, Marie & Deirdre Shannon, Dianna Skillen (fiddles). Recorded 4th November 2012. Ards Peninsula Sessions - The Portaferry Hotel, Portaferry Reel - Music in the Glen From the left; Brian Harte (guitar) off screen, Liam McQuillan (bouzouki), Ian Hull (bodhran), John Savage & Ernie Swain (fiddles), Ben Healy (flute), Bob Torrens (fiddle), Trevor Stewart (pipes). Recorded 2017.

Dances, Box Socials, Surprise Parties & Games! When I visited John Jess (1909 – 2010) in 2009 he was quick to show me his fiddle that he had played for over 90 years; he proudly commented “you couldn’t imagine the amount of money this wee lady’s made for me!” [John started playing the fiddle at the tender age of 7 purely because he loved the music. After many years playing at dances and social gatherings he was still playing the fiddle at home into his 90s. Clearly his love of fiddle music was his main driver; however earning money was also a factor.] I asked John about the various dances he had played at; these were numerous, where dances were regularly held on Friday nights in various local halls and regular dancing classes were held two or three nights a week in different halls within the area. The dances were similar to those that John Simpson, Willie McCloy and Willie Savage played for. John described the 1920/30s craze for “Surprise Parties” where a number of folk were organised by a friend to arrive at an unsuspecting house for a private party and dance, usually to celebrate a birthday or the like. “Box Socials” or “Canadian Box Socials” were also popular. At these social functions young ladies would bake a cake and put it in a box. These were auctioned during the latter half of the evening and the gentleman who was the highest bidder not only got the cake but walked the young lady home as well. John sadly declared that the women ruined the Box Socials as they would put a distinguishing feature on the box, or tie the box with a recognisable ribbon to ensure, by prior arrangement, that the man of their choice successfully bid for them. But John’s most surprising reply was to my question; “Well John, you played at loads of dances in all these various halls, but did you ever play in Church Halls?” “Oh, I’d say I did.” “For dancing?” “No, no, no. For games.” I enquired what the games may have been. John, aged 100, lapsed into silence, but his daughter Betty suggested these may be; “the farmer wants a wife”, “musical chairs”, the grand old Duke of York”. Two years later when I discussed this with Will Patterson and Thomasene Rodgers they had recollections of “The Haymaker’s Jig”, “The Waves of Troy (I assume Tory)” and “Sir Roger” (which I assume is short for Sir Roger de Coverley). A social held in 2nd Dromara Lecture Hall in connection with St John’s Parish Church Choir, was reported in the Leader, 1st February 1947, which stated; Mr James Pollack, who acted as M.C., introduced a number of popular games, the music being supplied by Messrs. James Steenson and James Jess. Prizes for “musical knees” were won by Miss J. Lindsay and Mr J. Fee, and for the “honeymoon express” by Miss M. Maguire and Mr J. Rankin. (Dromore Leader 1st February 1947) In reality then, whilst Church Socials weren’t called dances many, in reality, weren’t far short of them. Surprise Parties The following report of the “greatest surprise party ever held in this neighbourhood” was described in the Dromore Leader ; “The greatest “surprise party” ever held in this neighbourhood took place on last Friday evening at Mr A. Chambers, Ballykeel. Over 400 persons were present, young and old, great and small being there – indeed one individual humourously remarked “they were there from the four winds of the earth.” At any-rate there can be no mistaking the popularity which Mr. and Mrs. Chambers enjoy. When it became known that Mr. Chambers was leaving the Cross Roads and going to reside at Sunnyside, a little further down the road, having sold his farm to Mr. Richard Graham, the opinion of all was that he would have to be given “a night,” and this was truly carried out. The accommodation, large though it is, was taxed to its fullest capacity in dealing with such a numerous company, and all bent of course on a jolly night’s amusement. The spacious barn, which is over 100 feet long, made an impromptu ballroom and in this the merry throng of dancers chased “the fleeting hours” until six o’clock the following morning. Messrs. James Alexander and Alex. Young having their “violinistic” abilities tested to the fullest extent. Mr. Joseph Alexander as M.C. had “some time” discharging the duties connected with the office. The catering for the wants of the mammoth gathering was carried out in Mr. Chambers’ dwelling-house, The Misses Jess, Miss Lily Walsh and Miss Clarke having a busy time as teamakers, and Messrs. James Murdock, John Alexander, and Dick Young as stewards. During the night songs were given by – Miss Nellie Kingan, The Misses Graham, Miss L. Stewart, Messrs. William Wright Skelly, John Patterson, John Spence, Jack Eaton, Abraham Martin, and James Alexander. Before separating in the morning, Mr. Lavery, on behalf of the organisers of the event, thanked all for coming. He specially thanked the ladies who brought cakes, and the teamakers and stewards for the manner in which they had put forward the tea. He was sure he was voicing the sentiments of all when he said they rejoiced to know that Mr. and Mrs. Chambers were not leaving the neighbourhood, but only going a little further down the way. At M’Adams Cross Roads they would still be on the borders of Ballykeel. (Applause.) To their new home they certainly carried with them the best wishes of old and young. (Hear, hear, and applause.) Dromore Leader 11th February 1922 Quilting Parties Quilting Parties are not generally associated with Irish culture, being most popular in North America, particularly the Appalachians. Quilting Parties were a social gathering where women met up to make a quilt and have a chat whilst doing it. The custom was generally linked in producing a quilt for a couple about to be married or a girl shortly “coming of age”. The soirees generally took place through the day, with the men folk joining the company after their normal day’s work was done. The party then took the traditional role of music, dancing and merrymaking. Quilting parties are known to have taken place in the Low Country, around Ballyhalbert. The following description, which dates around the 1890s, was collected from Sally Young by Mark Thompson and Dick Glasgow; James’s wife, Elizabeth Bailie, was a quiltmaker and would hold quilting parties when 8 – 10 other local women would come to the Bailie’s farmhouse and spend a few days making a quilt. When the quilt was done and the men had come back from their day’s work they would clear the barn and hold a celebratory barn dance for the completion of the quilt. (Mark Thompson from Sally Young, August 2000. Sally is from Ballyfrench, a townland just south of Ballyhalbert.) Another County Down reference to quilting parties was reported in the Dromore Leader in 1932, when it reported the death of William Coulter, a weaver born around 1834; Mr William Coulter, Ballymacormick died on 28th October 1937 at a ripe old age. He was born at the Rock, Ballyvicknakelly. Mr Coulter in his early years took a keen interest in social evenings and dances, especially the old “quilting dances. Dromore Leader 5th November 1932 House Warming Parties House warming parties were another opportunity to indulge in the obviously very popular past-time of dancing; this is a brief description of one such party at well-sinker Thomas McClurg’s new cottage at Crossgar, Dromara as reported in the Dromore Leader in 1927. (Two of Thomas’s sons, Jimmy and Charlie were well-known dance music fiddle players.) House Warmer at Dromara A most enjoyable “house warmer” was given at Crossgar, Dromara, a few evenings ago by Mr. Thos. McClurg and his sons, who have lately taken over occupation of a new cottage. About fifty guests were present, and after a couple of hours of dancing to the strains of melodious music contributed by Messrs. Chambers and Morgan, tea was served in excellent style Mrs. W.J. Moore, The Misses Rowan and Miss. M. Thompson. Dancing was subsequently indulged in with vigour and delight, songs being rendered at intervals by Mrs W.J. Moor, Mrs. J. Moore, Messrs. T. McClurg, J. Steele, W.J. Moore, and others. Before dispersing, Mr. Thos. Fee proposed that the best thanks of the company be given to Messrs. McClurg for the sumptuous manner in which they had been treated, and wished them long life and happiness in their new home. Mr. Wm. Maguire, seconding, the vote was passed by hearty acclamation. (Dromore Leader , 26th November 1927)

The Gray & Moore Manuscripts Robbie & Davy Gray Robbie and Davy Gray were two fiddle playing brothers who were raised in Ballynahinch and played regularly together for 60 years. Robbie (1909 - 1991) married and lived in Ballynahinch throughout his life where he worked as a cobbler, the same trade as his maternal grandfather William Shields. Following the death of their mother, Davy (1917 - 1990) went to live with Tommy McCormack's family at the Burren, a few miles west of Ballynahinch on the road to Dromore. He lived there for the remainder of his life. He worked on the roads carrying out maintenance and took pleasure cutting men's hair in the evenings. John Rooney (piano accordion), Robbie & Davy Gray (fiddles) & Stanley Carson (button accordion), at the Annahilt Official Unionist annual meeting, c.1982. Robbie Gray Davy Gray Jim Moore Jim Moore (1921 - 2018) lived all his life in Dromara working as a lorry driver and van driver. He initially learned the fiddle from Sammy Thompson. Other influences on his playing were Robbie Chambers of Finnis, who called regularly to the family home, and Robbie & Davy Gray of Ballynahinch and the Burren. Jim Moore playing a few tunes at Davy Gray's house at the Burren, c. 1983. Jim Moore Part 1 Jim Moore Part 2