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- Jackie Donnan A1 | Handed Down
Jackie Donnan - 1 These 16 tunes of Jackie Donnan were recorded by Denis Calvert in 1969, then digitised around 2012 by Denis Reynolds, then edited by myself in 2023. Strathspey - the Marquis of Huntley’s Farewell Jackie learnt the Marquis of Huntley’s Farewell from Willie Savage. It is one of the best-known compositions of William Marshall, which he dedicated to the Marquis’s departure with the Gordon Highlanders in 1799. The Marquis of Huntleys Farewell (Strathspey) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:05 Reel - Captain Bounce Jackie learnt Captain Bounce from his mentor Willie McCloy (1886 - 1959) who had in turn learnt it from John Simpson (1836 - 1921). Captain Bounce , a reel, was played for the long lost Figure Dance Captain Bounce - Jackie, McCloy and Simpson all used crushed bowing whilst playing it. A similar version of Captain Bounce was played by Jimmy and Robert Edmond, who only lived a couple of miles from Willie McCloy, but they used entirely different bowing. Captain Bounce (Reel) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:35 Reels - What the Divil ails you? and the Maids of Galway Jackie learnt What the Divil ails you? from Willie Savage and the Maids of Galway from Willie McCloy. The Maids of Galway is a setting of the well-known reel the Boyne Hunt , which known by a number of names in Ireland. It was composed in Scotland by Miss Magdalene Stirling of Ardoch c. 1788. What the divil ails ye & The Maids of Galway (Reels) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:18 Reel - the Killyleagh Lasses Jackie learnt the Killyleagh Lasses from Willie McCloy (1886 - 1959). The Killyleagh Lasses was a favourite tune for stepdancing to – note the bowed treble at the end of the 4th bars which was used to match the dancer’s footwork. Killyleagh Lasses - (Reel) (first part only) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:08 Jig/Quadrille tune - The Whitehouse Lassie Jackie learnt The White House Lassie from his mentors Toye Willie Savage (1880 - 1956) and Willie McCloy (1886 - 1959). McCloy had in turn learnt it from John Simpson (1836 - 1921). Being a versatile tune they played The White House Lassie for several dances - the 3rd figure of the Quadrilles, the 4th figure of the Lancers and the 1st figure of La Russe. The White House Lassie (Jig/Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:04 Jig/Quadrille tune - the Muses Jackie learnt The Muses from his mentors Toye Willie Savage (1880 - 1956) and Willie McCloy (1886 - 1959). McCloy had in turn learned it from John Simpson (1836 - 1921). They played The Muses for the 4th figure of the Lancers. The Muses (Jig/Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:48 Polka/Quadrille tune - Ava the Airts the Wind can Blaw Jackie learnt Ava the Airts the Wind can Blaw from Willie Savage. They played it for the 5th (last) figure of the Caledonians. The quadrille has been adapted from Miss Admiral Gordon’s Strathspey which was composed by the well-known Scottish composer William Marshall c. 1781 in honour of Margaret Gordon, daughter of Admiral William Gordon. Robert Burns subsequently set one of his best- known songs to it – "of a" the Airts the Wind can Blaw . Ava the Airts the Wind can Blaw (2/4 Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:05 Polka/Quadrille tune - the Boys of Belfast Jackie learnt The Boys of Belfast from his mentor Toye Willie Savage (1880 - 1956). They played for the 5th (last) figure of the Lancers. Interestingly Jackie Donnan didn’t play the G (3rd string) as sharp or natural, but half way between the two. There were several of his tunes where he played the G, and indeed on occasion the C (2nd string), in this way. A slightly different setting of the tune is played in the fifing tradition. The Boys of Belfast (2/4 Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:03 Polka/Quadrille tune - the Last of the Lancers Another tune from the playing of Willie Savage; Willie and Jackie played it for the 5th (last) figure of the Lancers . The last figure of The Lancers (2/4 Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:11 Polka/Quadrille tune - the 2nd of the Patience Lancers Another tune from the playing of Willie Savage and Willie McCloy; it comes from a set of Quadrille Tunes called the Patience Lancers and is played for the 2nd figure. The 2nd of Patience Lancers (2/4 Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:08 Highland Schottische - Lowden's Bonnie Woods and Braes Jackie learnt Lowden's Bonnie Woods and Braes from Willie Savage. They played it for the Highland Schottische . Lowden's Bonnie Woods and Braes (Highland Schottische) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:40 Mazurka - the Spanish Mazurka Jackie learnt The Spanish Mazurka from Willie Savage, which they played for the two-hand dance the Polka Mazurka . Jackie played it regularly in the Comber and Balloo sessions in the 70s, which he generally followed with a mazurka titled Rocking the Cradle . He regularly played it, by itself, for dancing at venues like Greyabbey Village Hall. The Spanish Mazurka Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:08 Mazurka - Jimmy McElroy's Mazurka Jackie learnt this mazurka from his friend James McElroy (1892 - 1982) of Drumnaquoile. Jackie played it regularly in the Comber and Balloo sessions in the 70s, and occasionally for dancing at venues like Greyabbey Village Hall. James McElroy's Mazurka Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:09 Schottische - Maggie Picken Maggie Picken/Pickins has a number of titles and numerous humourous verses in song. The tune was rarely played, mostly for step dancing. In the 60s/70s Jackie would have played it for James McElroy to dance. Maggie Picken (Schottische) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:49 Schottische - the Danish Polka Jackie learnt this Schottische from Willie Savage. The tune was played for a two-hand dance called The Danish Polka . The Danish Polka (Schottische) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:34 Quadrille Tune- the Pretty Maid Jackie played this tune with Willie Savage for the 4th figure of the Quadrilles. It was a well-known tune in the area having been handed down from early fiddle players such as John Simpson (see JS manuscripts). The Pretty Maid (2/4 Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:08
- Central Down (Dromara) | Handed Down
Map of Central Down (Dromara) James Ward of Drumaknockan, Mussen, Ward & Lunn The McConvilles of Ballyvicknakelly Sammy Thompson & Tommy Ervine Jim Moore of Dromara Davy & Robbie Gray, Jimmy Gregg of Edentrillick The Wallaces of Waringsford Johnny Bryson, William Gill, John Ferris, John Magowan, James Alexander & Sandy Young Joe Gamble & the Jess Brothers of the Leapoges The McClurgs & Robbie Chambers Jimmie Campbell & Jimmy Doyle of Dromara Jimmy Cargin, Andy Crookshanks, Sam Agnew of Dromore
- Sessions V1 | Handed Down
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.
- Introduction of Dances | Handed Down
Introduction of Dances The Table below gives a "rough " timeline of when the various dance forms were introduced into Ireland. Many of these are still in circulation in County Down, 1771 Minuets, Hornpipes. Country Dances & Cotillions 1779 Minuets, Cotillions, Country Dances & Hornpipes 1786 Figure Dances 1789 Minuets, Cotillions & Hornpipes 1792 Quadrilles & Cotillions Northern Star 1792 1792 Cotillions, & Figure Dances 1794 Strathspey & Scots Reel 1795 Cotillions & Figure Dances, Strathspeys & Reels, Country Dances 1801 Scotch Hornpipe, Highland Flings 1812 German Waltz The waltz in its current form shot to popularity around 1812 in the ballrooms of Paris and spread rapidly throughout Europe. However it is thought to have originated much earlier, probably from a figure of the Contredanse. "The Waltz, in what may be called its “allemande” form, that is with entwining arm-movements but without the close hold, was undoubtedly known in England a number of years before 1812, and as such was probably used as a figure of a Cotillon or Contredanse. The word “waltz” simply means to turn, and the modern dance is derived from a turning dance of the peasants." (Social Dances of the XIX Century , P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Pages 41 & 42) 1843 Polka Opinions are divided with regards to the origin of the polka. Most authorities think the term “polka” derived from “pulka” meaning half-step. One of the more popular possibilities was that the dance was collected by Josef Neruda when he saw a peasant girl dancing to her own vocal accompaniment in Bohemia around 1830. He, or his followers, subsequently introduced the polka to high society in Prague in 1835. (Social Dances of the XIX Century , P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Page 81) Regardless of its history the polka was introduced into Paris in 1843 where it achieved unparalleled popularity spreading throughout western dance culture. 1845 Mazurka & the Polka Mazurka The mazurka originally evolved from a Polish folk dance from the province of Masovia, and was apparently popular and subsequently spread into high society by the Polish army. In arrived in England around 1845 and was danced in sets of four or eight couples. The polka mazurka is thought to have been based on the polka and set to mazurka music and rhythm. Generally titled “the mazurka” the polka mazurka is still danced as a round dance in Counties Donegal and Down. (Social Dances of the XIX Century , P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Pages 96-97) 1848 Schottische The schottische was another round dance finding popularity in the British Isles around the mid 19th Century; it first appeared in England around 1848. (Social Dances of the XIX Century , P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Page 102) 1853 Varsoviana “La Varsoviana” or “The Varsovienna” was a round dance that achieved limited popularity in Ballroom society in the mid 19th Century; however it is still danced regularly in County Down. It was devised by a Spanish dancing teacher called Désiré and was first danced in Paris around 1853. (Social Dances of the XIX Century , P.J.S. Richardson, 1960: Page 97) 1886 Barndance Authorities agree that the barndance was originally called “the Military Schottische” is related to “the Pas de Quatre” and that it was introduced into England from America around 1886. The People’s Ballroom Guide and Manual of Dancing , 1905: Page 37, edited by James Scott Skinner states; The dance hails from America, its invention being credited to Mr M B Gilbert, of Boston; and it was brought over the Atlantic and introduced into this country in 1886 by Mr K M Sellars, Professor of Dancing in Glasgow and Ayr.
- Nigel Boullier A1 | Handed Down
Nigel Boullier Jig/Quadrille Tune - Burney's No.1 Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen play Burney's No 1 - a Jig or 6/8 Quadrille Tune. I learned Burney's No1 from Jackie Donnan and we regularly played it for 1st figure of the Quadrilles. Jackie learned it from his mentor Toye William Savage and they regularly played it at the dances for 1st figure of the Quadrilles in the early/mid 1950s. See Manuscripts/Davy Carse Part 2 & 5. Burney's No1 Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen 00:00 / 01:10 Jig/Quadrille Tune - Burney's No.3 Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen play Burney's No 3 - a Jig or 6/8 Quadrille Tune. I learned Burney's No3 from Jackie Donnan and we regularly played it years for 3rd figure of the Quadrilles. Jackie learned it from his mentor Toye William Savage and they regularly played it at the dances for 3rd figure of the Quadrilles in the early/mid 1950s. See Manuscripts/Davy Carse Part 2, 5 &7. Burney's No3 Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen 00:00 / 01:52 Polka/Quadrille Tune - The Pretty Maid Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen play The Pretty Maid - a 2/4 Quadrille Tune. I learned The Pretty Maid from Jackie Donnan and we regularly played it years for 4th figure of the Quadrilles. Jackie learned it from his mentors Toye William Savage and Willie McCloy in the early/mid 1950s. McCloy learned it from his mentor John Simpson and played it at the in the late 1890s. See Manuscripts/John Simpson Part1. The Pretty Maid Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen 00:00 / 01:16 Jig/Quadrille Tune - The Greba Galop Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen play The Greba Galop - a single jig or 6/8 Quadrille Tune. I learned The Greba Galop from Jackie Donnan and we regularly played it years for 5th figure of the Quadrilles. The dancers nicknamed 5th figure of the Quadrille ring, swing, chain and galop as a memory aid. The galop steps necessitate the jaunty single jig rhythm. The Greba Galop Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen 00:00 / 01:30 Jig/Quadrille Tune - Maggie McGeag let go O' Ma Leg Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen play Maggie McGeag let go O' Ma Leg or I'll proddle ya with ma horney O! - a jig or 6/8 Quadrille Tune. I learned this tune from Jackie Donnan and we regularly played it years for 6th (last) figure of the Quadrilles. Jackie learned it from his mentor Toye William Savage and they regularly played it at the dances for the last figure of the Quadrilles in the early/mid 1950s. Both Jackie and Toye William used what they described as a "draggy" style of bowing for this type of tune. Maggie McGeag let go O' Ma leg Nigel Boullier & Dianna Skillen 00:00 / 01:37
- Manuscript Indexes | Handed Down
Manuscript Indexes The various tune types are self-explanatory (as they relate to various dances e.g. reels, jigs, mazurkas), with the exception of Quadrille Tunes. Fiddle players in East Down generically called tunes played for the dancing of Quadrilles (and their associated sets) "Quadrille Tunes". These include single jigs, double jigs, polkas and marches, and shades in between. Reels Jigs & Slip Jigs 6/8 Quadrilles, 2/4 Quadrilles, 4/4 Quadrilles Polkas Hornpipes Mazurkas, Marches Schottisches, Strathspeys, Flings Barndances, Waltzes, Varsovienna Tunes Figure Dances, Country Dances, Round Dances, Irish Dances, Planxtys, Airs
- Sammy Thompson 2 | Handed Down
Sammy Thompson - Part 2 Part 2 of Sammy Thompson's manuscripts were handed down to Davy Gray. Davy tragically died in 1990 following being robbed at home, a farmhouse at the Burren midway between Ballynahinch and Dromore, when his house was ransacked. The manuscripts were offered to me by Davy's close friend John McAdam in 1997. 1 Reel - My Lofty Hills (HD ref JW320) Reel - The Green Fields of America (HD ref RQ206 ) 2 Schottische - Untitled Highland Schottische Fling - The Marquis of Huntley's Fling (HD ref JW285 ) Reel - Scotch Mary (JW321) 3 Reel - Miss McLeod's Reel (HD ref JW319) Hornpipe - The Harvest Home 4 Jig - The Siege of Carrick generally known as Haste to the Wedding Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Lancer Tune Jimmy Ward 6 (HD ref JW313) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled Lancer Tune Jimmy Ward 7 (HD ref JW314 ) 5 Jig - Pibrock of Donald Dhu (HD ref JW293) Barndance - Untitled Barndance locally called Kitty's Barndance (HD ref JW284) Waltz - The Alpine Waltz (HD ref JW338 ) 6 Jig - The Rollicking Irishman (HD ref JW298) Schottische - The Road to the Isles (HD ref WS131) Hornpipe - The First of May (HD ref JD148 ) 7 Barndance - The Bottom of the Punchbowl (HD ref JD146) Hornpipe - The Londonderry Hornpipe 8 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Quadrille Jimmy Ward 1 (HD ref JW311) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled Quadrille Jimmy Ward 2 (HD ref JW312) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Quadrille Jimmy Ward 3 (HD ref JW312) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Quadrille Jimmy Ward 9 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Quadrille Jimmy Ward 5 (HD ref JW313) 10 Waltz - McAdam & Co. (HD ref ST356) Mazurka - Untitled Mazurka locally titled The Spanish Mazurka (HD ref WS115) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The New May Moon (HD ref JW308) Fling - Untitled Highland Fling from Jimmy Ward (HD ref JW286) Jig - The Miners of Wicklow (HD ref JW296) 11 Jig - Untitled Jig locally titled Dan's wee pot (HD ref JW291) 12 Schottische - Untitled Untitled Highland Schottische 13 Hornpipe - Bonaparte's Hornpipe (HD ref JW286) 14 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled tune for 3rd figure of the Lancers (3rd figure of the Patience Lancers HD ref WS123) locally called Whut wud Ye dae if yer Rump was Brok Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled tune for 4th figure of the Lancers (4th figure of the Patience Lancers HD ref WS124) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled tune for 5th figure of the Lancers (5th figure of the Patience Lancers HD ref WS124 ) locally called Old Molly Doodle will you not come out Figure Dance - The Princess Royal (HD ref WMcC93) Jig - Untitled Jig 15 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled Quadrille Tune (Sammy Thompson No 1 HD ref ST353) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Quadrille Tune locally called The Soldier's Cloak (HD ref JW310) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled tune for the 5th figure of the Lancers (Sammy Thompson No 3 HD ref ST354) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Highland Whiskey generally titled Niel Gow's Farewell to Whisky (HD ref WS122) Waltz - Untitled Waltz locally called The Ballykeel Waltz (HD ref ST357) 16 Reel - Miss Montgomery (HD ref ST354) 17 Reel - The Traveller 18 Reel - The Yel Heifer (HD ref DG381) 19 Reel - The Lofty Hills of Mourne (HD ref JW320) Reel - The Mason's Apron (HD ref WMcC98) 20 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - I'm a Young Man (HD ref ST353) Jig - Teviot Bridge (HD ref ST350 ) Hornpipe - The Victoria Hornpipe (HD ref JW290) 21 Polka - Untitled Polka locally called Jimmy Ward's Polka 1 (HD ref JW304) Strathspey - Lady Ann Hope (HD ref JW333 ) 22 Waltz - Untitled Waltz generally titled Woodland Whispers (HD ref JW341) Hornpipe - The Tara Brooch 23 Strathspey - Within a Mile of Edinburgh Toon 24 Strathspey - Stirling Castle (HD ref ST355) 25 Schottische - Untitled Schottische 26 Schottische - The Lad with the Plaid (HD ref WS131) 27 Reel - The High Road to Linton (HD ref JD161) 28 Waltz - Sweet Sixteen (HD ref ST356) 29 Hornpipe - The Rights of Man 30 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled tune for 2nd figure of the Quadrilles locally called Burney's No 2 (HD ref WS119) 31 Mazurka - Untitled Mazurka locally called Jimmy Ward's Mazurka (HD ref JW301) 32 Jig - The Stool of Repentance (HD ref ST351) 33 Jig - Kissed Yestreen (HD ref ST349) 34 Polka - The Belfast Polka (HD ref WS116)
- Orange Halls | Handed Down
Dances in Orange Halls Throughout my many years of research on fiddle playing and dancing in County Down the aspect that surprised me the most was the enormous number of Orange Halls, dotted throughout the County Down countryside, that had held regular dances in the period up to World War II. Up to the late 1920s there are records of traditional dances in over seventy Orange Halls. The dances consisted of the various figure dances, square dances and two-hand dances and step dances. The music in this period was played, in the main, on fiddles. By the late 1920s melodeons and accordions had begun to appear. From the fiddle player's perspective, Jimmy Savage (Postman Johnnie's James) jokingly claimed to be the most travelled fiddler in Ulster. When I asked him where his travels had taken him, he replied that he had played in 26 Orange Halls over the years. And these were not merely sporadic instances. In April 1988 Jimmy was made a presentation for having played the fiddle for the regular dance in Carrickmannon Orange Hall for fifty years. In 2009 I asked John Jess, who was then aged 100, what had got him interested in playing the fiddle at the early age of 7. He replied that his father was a steward at the Orange Hall nearby (Drumiller LOL No 582) and that his mother would have made the tea at any social functions. Being the eldest child he would accompany her and he was put in the corner. He said there were always fiddles being played, by a number of players, and he just had to play one. In 1988 fiddle player Jimmy Savage celebrated playing at the dance in Carrickmannon Orange Hall for 50 years. Benraw Orange Hall Benraw Orange Hall is situated in the quiet rural area south-east of the Windy Gap on the road to Leitrim Village. The following fiddlers regularly played for numerous dances in Benraw Hall; Willie, James & Ivor Herron, Arthur Annett, Joe Cinnamond John Redmond, John Seawright, Thomas Henry Gibson, Bertie McIlroy. Above; Benraw Orange Hall on the Slievenaboley Road. 2012 Benraw Orange Hall (circled) from the Windy Gap looking towards Leitrim Village and the Mourne Mountains. Legananny Orange Hall is in close proximity being less than a mile to the north (left), 2012. Legananny Orange Hall Legananny Orange Hall is situated in the quiet rural area east of the Windy Gap on the road to Leitrim Village. The following fiddlers all played regularly for various dances in Legananny Hall; Willie Herron, Arthur Annett, Joe Cinnamond Thomas Henry Gibson, Bertie McIlroy. Above; Legananny Orange Hall on Legananny Hall Road, 2012. Legananny Dolmen, a megalithic dolmen, is estimated to be 5,000 years old. Legananny Orange Hall is about six fields downhill on the left, 2012 Aughnaskeagh Orange Hall Aughnaskeagh Orange Hall is situated in the quiet rural area between the villages of Kinallen and Dromara. The following fiddlers all played regularly for various dances in Aughnaskeagh Hall; Willie & John Wallace, Sammy Thompson, John Jess, Walter Stronge, David Cherry. Right; Ticket for a Soiree & Ball at Aughnaskeagh Orange Hall on Friday 27th November 1903. Waringsford Orange Hall Waringsford Orange Hall is situated in Tullynisky Road in the village of Waringsford, which is itself between the villages of Kinallen and Dromara. The following fiddlers all played regularly for various dances in Waringsford Hall; Willie & John Wallace, Thomas Rodgers, William Corbett, Bob Graham, David Cherry, William Cherry, Howard Martin R. J. McMillan. Above; Waringsford Orange Hall on Tullyniskey Road, 2012. Above; Tickets for a Socials & Balls at Waringsford Orange Hall for Waringsford Golden Star RBP and Waringsford Rising Star, all on Friday evenings; 28th February 1919, 17th December 1920, 3rd February 1928 and 25th January 1929. Listooder Orange Hall Listooder Orange Hall, which was built in 1871, is situated on the edge of Listooder, a hamlet which lies approximately midway between the village of Crossgar and the town of Ballynahinch. The following fiddlers played regularly for various dances in Listooder Hall; Robert McVeigh, Henry Harris, Hugh Hunter, Toye William & young Willie Savage Bobby Geddis. Above; Listooder Orange Hall, 2012. Pikestone Orange Hall Pikestone Orange Hall is situated approximately midway between the towns of Killyleagh and Downpatrick. It is situated close to the main Killyleagh Road at the junction of the Greystown Road. It was built in the mid 1860s and is home to Ballygawley Standard LOL and Ballygawley Olive Leaf RBP. Initially single storey a second floor was added in 1932. The following fiddlers played regularly for various dances at the Pikestone; John Duff, Willie McCloy, Betty McIlroy (nee Donnan), William John & Samuel Crawford. Above; Pikestone Orange Hall, 2012. Pikestone derives its name from the period of the 1798 rebellion. Pikes were legal, as long as they were not sharp - being caught by the authorities with a sharpened pike was a hanging offence. A local blacksmith made the pikes; these were then sharpened and hidden beneath a large stone in the locality, hence the name the "Pikestone". Toye Orange Hall Toye Orange Hall is situated a couple of miles north of the town of Killyleagh, on the Comber Road. The following fiddlers played regularly for various dances at the Pikestone; Toye William & young Willie Savage, Jimmy Bonar, Betty McIlroy (nee Donnan), Jackie Don na n. Right; Toye Orange Hall 2017. Fiddle player Toye Willie Savage was Worshipful Master of the Toye Lodge for many years. He was involved in the building of the current hall in 1935 and was caretaker there after he retired from work. Raffrey Orange Hall Raffrey Orange Hall is situated a half mile north of the hamlet of Raffrey, on the Carrickmannon Road. The following fiddlers played regularly for various dances at Raffrey; Willie McCloy, May McVeigh (nee McCloy) Willie, Johnnie & Jimmy Hayes Tom Miskelly. Above; Raffrey Orange Hall on the Carrickmannon Road, 2012. The Magzenna Waltz. Raffrey OH, 2012 The Dancers in the foreground are Ivan & Jean Wilson Accordionist - Sammy Miskelly 16 Steps - the 5th Figure of the Caledonians. Raffrey OH, 2012 Accordionist - Sammy Miskelly Raffrey OH, 2012 The dancer in the centre is fiddle player Jim Moore from Dromara still enjoying dancing at 92. Some of the Orange Halls with traditional Dances to Fiddle Music East Down Ardmillan Ballymacreely Carrickmannon Crossgar Drumreagh Killinchy Killyleagh Listooder Pikestone Raffrey Toye Ards Kircubbin Newtownards Portavogie True Blues Volunteer's Lecale Ballyclander Ballykilbeg Central Ballynahinch Ballykine Ballylone Ballymaglave Ballynahinch Burren Cumberbridge Glassdrumman Legacurry Magheraknock Spa Upper Crossgar e Central West Blackscull Clogher Donaghcloney Drumnaferry Islandderry Magherally Central Dromara Annahilt Aughnaskeagh Ballaney Ballygowan Ballykeel Ballyknock Ballymacormick Ballyroney Ballyvicknakelly Benraw Carnew Closkelt Derryneill Drumiller Dromara Dromore Drumlough Drumnavaddy Finnis Gransha Kilmacrew Central Dromara Kilntown Kilwarlin Kinallen Halliday's Bridge Legananny Lisnaward Listullycurran Magherabeg Moneyslane Mount Ida Quilly Skeagh Taughblane Tullynisky Tullynore Waringsford Whitehill Map showing the Locations of the above named Orange Halls
- Sammy Thompson 3 | Handed Down
Sammy Thompson - Part 3 Part 3 of Sammy Thompson's manuscripts contain various tunes that Sammy did not learn locally, they were transcribed from the playing of fiddle masters, Michael Coleman and Sean Maguire. They were handed down from Sammy to Jim Moore, and following Jim's death from Jim's daughter Linda to me in 2021. Jim had previously given me photocopies c. 2002. 1 Reel - Bonny Kate 2 Reel - Bonny Kate additional variations to 1 above Reel - Jackie Coleman's Hornpipe - The High Level Hornpipe part 1 3 Hornpipe - The High Level Hornpipe continued 4 Reel - The Mason's Apron
- Quadrille Videos | Handed Down
Videos of Quadrille Dancing F irst introduced into Ireland from France in the early 1790s the Quadrilles were naturalised and gradually evolved into Irish set dancing during the 1800s. However, it is accepted that the only style of dancing the Quadrilles close to the original form from around 1800, is that in County Down. "The only surviving sets in this style are those from County Down." "This set of quadrilles is probably the closest to the original First Set of Quadrilles that came to Ireland around 1816." [Pat Murphy, Toss the Feathers, Irish Set Dancing , 1995, p.47 & 107 respectively.] The original quadrilles consisted of The First Set of Quadrilles, The Quadrilles , and due to their popularity they were followed by many additional variations such as The Second Set of Quadrilles, more commonly known as The Lancers , and The Third Set of Quadrilles, more commonly known as The Caledonians . Generally in the Quadrilles, Lancers and Caledonians, which have 6, 5 and 5 figures respectively, the first figure is simple, and each figure thereafter increases in complexity. The videos of the following figures of the Quadrilles, Lancers and Caledonians are reproduced with the kind permission of Roy Spence of Eclipse Promotions, Comber. The Quadrilles Dancers from East Down John Davidson & Margaret Gibson, William McSeveney & Christina McBride, Samuel James Gibson and Margaret Gibson, James Peake & Jeannie Peake. Piano Accordion - Jim Martin. Quadrilles 1st figure Quadrilles 2nd figure Quadrilles 3rd figure Quadrilles 4th figure Quadrilles 5th figure Quadrilles 6th figure The Lancers Dancers from East Down John Davidson & Margaret Gibson, William McSeveney & Christina McBride, Samuel James Gibson and Margaret Gibson, James Peake & Jeannie Peake. Piano Accordion - Jim Martin. Lancers 1st figure Lancers 2nd figure Lancers 3rd figure Lancers 4th figure Lancers 5th figure The Caledonians Dancers from East Down John Davidson & Margaret Gibson, William McSeveney & Christina McBride, Samuel James Gibson and Margaret Gibson, James Peake & Jeannie Peake. Piano Accordion - Jim Martin. Caledonians 1st figure Caledonians 2nd figure Caledonians 3rd figure The 3rd figure of the Caledonians is identical to the 1st figure of the Lancers. (The title opening the above video should read Caledonian figure three.) Caledonians 5th figure A video of the 4th figure of the Caledonians is not available, however a written description of all figures can be found in Handed Down, Country Fiddling and Dancing in East and Central Down . Killinchy Dance The usual format for dances in East Down in the period 1990 - 2010 was to have one square dance in an evening - this would alternate weekly between the Quadrilles, the Lancers or the Caledonians. The remainder of the program comprised of sequence dancing and two-hand round dances. Of the square dances the Lancers was the most popular. The following film clips are reproduced with the kind permission of Maurice McBride. They were recorded in 1993 and are of Mrs Peake's weekly dance in Killinchy Church Hall - they are all various figures of the Lancers. Piano Accordion - Jim Martin. Lancers 1st figure Lancers 2nd figure Lancers 3rd figure Lancers 4th figure Lancers 5th figure (only half) The following clips are reproduced with the kind permission of Maurice McBride. The recordings are of a social outing of a some of Killinchy dancer's day out in 1993. Piano Accordion - Fiddle - Addy McVeigh Lancers 4th figure Lancers 5th figure (part only) Lancers 5th figure (part only) Quadrilles 4th Figure Bangor Set Dancers Mary McCaughey & Neal McFerran, Kathleen Davis & Ed Quiery, Pam Quiery & Tim Davis, Deborah Gadd & Davy Simpson having learned the Quadrilles from the dancers from Ardmillan. Dance Music - Maurice Bradley (fiddle) from Ballinascreen, County Derry and Ciaran Kelly (box) from County Fermanagh
- Davy Carse 2 | Handed Down
David Carse - Part 2 1 Reel - Lucy Campbell Reel - Donegal Reel 2 Waltz - Untitled Waltz Jig - Irish Jig generally titled The Ship in full sail 3 Hornpipe - Untitled Hornpipe Reel - Dublin Reel generally titled Within a Mile of Dublin 4 Reel - Untitled Reel Schottische - Up in a Balloon (HD ref WMcC101) 5 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Bonny Dundee (HD ref WS118) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Kelvin Grove (HD ref WS120) 6 g Reel - Miss Ramsey Jig - The Maids of the Green (HD ref WMcC95) Jig - The Trip to the Cottage (5 bars) g 7 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Off She goes (HD ref WS122) Reel - The Devil among the Tailors 8 Hornpipe - The Rights of Man Reel - Captain Bounce (HD ref WMcC85 & JE181) 9 Strathspey - Rother A Murchy's Strathspey 10 Reel - Through the Broom (HD ref RQ206) Reel - The Carrickmannon Lasses (HD ref WS128) 11 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled but generally titled The March to the Battlefield (HD ref WS126) Jig - Untitled Jig generally known as Lannigan's Ball (HD ref RQ203) 12 Reel - The Long Hills of Mourne (HD ref JW325) Hornpipe - Miss Dick's Hornpipe 13 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - The Girl I left behind me (HD WS125) Reel - Go no more to yon town Reel - Lowlands of Scotland (HD ref JW325) 14 Reel - The New Jorum Polka - The Dragon Polka (HD ref JD154 & JW352) 15 Jig - Tatter Jack Walsh Schottische - Lowden's bonny woods and braes (HD ref WS129) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The Muses (HD ref JS84) 16 Hornpipe - Untitled Reel - Untitled 17 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The King of the Cannibal Islands (HD ref JS83) Reel - The Arkansas Traveller 18 Q uadrille Tune 2/4 - Duncan Davidson (HD ref JW306) Reel - Kitty got her Clinkin generally titled The High Road to Linton (HD ref ID161) Reel - Fire on they Mountains (HD ref RQ204) 19 Jig - Cut and Dry Jig - The Divinity Reel - Brandy Bottle (HD ref RQ206) 20 Hornpipe - Wellington's Hornpipe Hornpipe - Untitled Hornpipe 21 Two Hand Dance - Coming through the Rye (HD ref JD162) Schottische - Dainty Davy Hornpipe - Queen's Wedding (HD ref WMcC94) 22 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled generally titled Burney's No 3 (HD ref WS119) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled generally titled La Russe (HD ref WS121 ) 23 Schottische - Untitled generally titled The Keel Row Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Quadrille generally titled Burney's No1 (HD ref WS119 ) 24 Schottische - Untitled Highland Schottische Jig - Aprons On (HD ref RQ203 ) 25 Polka - Ladies Polka Jig - The Trip to the Cottage 26 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled generally titled Patience Lancers figure 3 (HD ref WS123) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - 1st Lancers generally titled Patience Lancers figure 1 (HD ref WS123) 27 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled generally titled Patience Lancers figure 2 (HD ref WS123) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled generally titled Patience Lancers figure 4 (HD ref WS124) 28 Schottische - Hop Light Loo (HD ref WMcC101) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - 3rd Lancers generally titled Patience Lancers figure 3 (HD ref WS123) 29 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled locally titled Yankee Doodle (HD ref WMcC101) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled generally titled The Muckin O' Geordie's Byre 30 Round Dance - Mary Ann Magee (HD ref WS129) Hornpipe - Untitled generally titled The Auld Steamboat (HD ref RQ202) 31 Waltz - Jenny Joe Hornpipe - The Ould Steamboat (HD ref RQ202) 32 Polka - Captain with his Whiskers Country Dance - Pat Murphy Country Dance - John of Paris
- Central Down (West) | Handed Down
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