Search Results

Sam McCaughey Jigs - The Eavesdropper , Sackows and the Knights of St Patrick Sam McCaughey (fiddle), Trevor Stewart (pipes), John Hughes (flute) and Frank Cassidy (bouzouki), collectively known as Curlew play three jigs which they called; the Eavesdropper , Sackows and the Knights of St Patrick . 1986 The second jig is often known as Tripping up the Stairs , whilst the third tune is not usually associated with this title. The third jig was introduced into the Comber session, County Down in the 1970s, where Sam regularly played, by Bob Davey who got the tune from Donal Staunton a fine banjo player from Spiddal, County Galway. Reels - Dowd's No.9 and The Cabin Hunter Sam McCaughey, Dianna Skillen (fiddles), Nigel Boullier (banjo) and Davy Graham (mandola) play two reels; Dowd's No.9 and the Cabin Hunter , Killyleagh, 1992 Jigs - Willie Coleman's & The Teddy Boy's Picnic Sam McCaughey (fiddle), Trevor Stewart (pipes), John Hughes (flute) and Frank Cassidy (bouzouki), collectively known as Curlew play two jigs; Willie Coleman' s and the Teddy Boy's Picnic , better known as the Dusty Windowsill . 1985. Reels - Buck from the Mountain, Tuttle's & The Boys of Portaferry Sam McCaughey, Dianna Skillen (fiddles), Nigel Boullier (banjo) and Davy Graham (mandola) play three reels; Buck from the Mountain (a reel version of the hornpipe), Tuttle's (or Bobby Casey's ) and the Boys of Portaferry . Dufferin Arms, 1992 Reels - The Guns of the Magnificent Seven, Staten Island & The Five Mile Chase Sam McCaughey (fiddle), Trevor Stewart (pipes), John Hughes (flute) and Frank Cassidy (bouzouki), collectively known as Curlew play three reels; the Guns of the Magnificent Seven , a composition of County Fermanagh bouzouki player Fintan McManus, Staten Island and the Five Mile Chase .

Map of Central Down (South) The McElroys of Legananny & Drumnaquoile John Burns of Clanvaraghan Pat Murnin & the Drin Fiddle Club The Dornans of Drumnakelly & Drumaroad Kevin Casement, Sandy McNerlin, Johnny McKay, Willie McCartan & the Kanes of Clanawhillan Michael & Sean Rodgers The Herons of Herons Road, Joe Cinnamond, Arthur Annett, Thomas Henry Gibson & the McIlroys of Leitrim Pat Gorman of Islandmoyle John Searight & the Redmond brothers from Gransha, Hugh Greenan from Ballybrick & Pat Byrne of Levallyreagh

Video Clips of Fiddle Players Jackie Donnan Geordie McAdam Sam McCaughey Brian Sutherland Ernie Swain Dianna Skillen Andy Dickson Nigel Boullier Sessions

David Carse - Part 5 1 Reel - Back at Dromore Hornpipe - The Butchers of Bristol (HD ref JW322) 2 Schottische - Untitled generally known as Miss Stewart's Highland (HD ref WMcC101) 3 Reel - The Wind that shook the Barley (HD ref JW328) Reel - The Miners of Wicklow (HD ref WMcC99) 4 Jig - The Irish Washerwoman Jig - The Campbells are coming (HD ref JW294) 5 Hornpipe - The First of May (HD ref JD148) Reel - Through the Broom (HD ref RQ206) 6 Polka - The Dargan Polka also locally titled The Dragon Polka (HD ref JD154) Polka - The Belfast Polka (HD ref WS116) 7 The Buck Hunt Schottische - Highland generally titled Miss Stewart's Highland (HD ref WMcC101) 8 Jig- The Blackthorn Jig also locally titled Jimmy Savage's Quadrille Tune (HD ref JSav173) Reel - The Soldier's Joy (HD ref JD161) 9 Reel - The Green Fields of America (HD ref RQ206) 10 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Burney's No 1 (HD ref WS119) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Burney's No 2 (HD ref WS119) 11 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Burney's No 3 (HD ref WS119) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Burney's No 4 locally known as La Russe (HD ref WS121) 12 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Burney's No 5 locally known as The March to the Battlefield (HD ref WS126) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The Rakes of Kildare locally known as The De'il set sail with my Darlin' 13 Reel - The Flowers of Edinburgh (HD ref JW323) Fling - Green grow the Rashes O ' (HD ref JW285) 14 Hornpipe - Skatings Waltz known locally as Her Golden Hair hung down her Back (HD ref WS113) Schottische - The German Schottische (HD ref WS130) 15 Hornpipe - Bony Crossing the Alps Polka - The Ballroom Polka 16 Jig - Unknown (in part, only 5 bars) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Untitled , known locally as Old Molly Doodle will you not come out is the 5th figure of the Patience Lancers (HD ref WS124) Song - The Minstrel Boy 17 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - 1st Figure of the Quadrilles generally known as The Laird of Cockpen (HD ref TO191) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - 2nd Figure of the Quadrilles generally known as The Rakes of Mallow 18 Schottische - Louden's Bonnie Woods and Braes (HD ref WS129) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - The Lass O' Gowrie (HD ref WS126) 19 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - 1st Lancers also known locally as Jimmy Ward's No 6 (HD ref JW313) 20 Hornpipe - Sailor's Hornpipe (HD ref JW289) Jig - Nora Creana 21 Waltz - The Dewdrop Waltz (HD ref RQ207) Walrz - The Calcutta Waltz 22 Schottische - Highland Schottische Schottische - Money Musk 23 Hornpipe - Skating Waltz locally known as Her golden hair hung down her neck (HD ref WS113) Quadrille 2/4 - Rob Roy (HD ref WS124) 24 Jig - Tenpenny Bit Polka - Jenny Lynd Polka (HD ref JW302) 25 Jig - The Protestant Boys (HD ref JW297) March - The Boyne Water (HD ref JW309) 26 Jig - St Patrick's Day Jig - The Protestant Boys (HD ref RQ203) 27 Polka - Untitled Polka Jig - Untitled locally titled Hurrah for the Bonnets O' Blue in East Down (HD ref JS81) 28 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Kenmure's on an awa' locally known as Nane o' yer Winkin' at Me auld Man (HD ref WMcC233) 29 Reel - Soldier's Joy (HD ref JD161) Hornpipe - Untitled Hornpipe (Illegible) 30 Schottische - Brighton Schottische (HD ref JD130) Jig - Nelly Flaherty's Drake (1001 Gems No 44) Jig - Untitled first part only, generally known as Roaring Jelly (HD ref WS113)

Jim Moore (1921 - 2018) Jim and I played tunes (twin fiddles) for many years at his home in Dromara each Tuesday night. He always had a great fire built up in the grate. He recorded these tunes of us both playing for himself to play along with. The vast majority of the tunes were from his repertoire that he played with a number of local fiddle players, Robbie Chambers, Sammy Thompson, Davy and Robbie Gray and Jimmy Doyle. I didn't know the most of them so the balance in volume between the two fiddles is weighed heavily towards Jim's playing. Barndances - Jimmy Doyle's Barndances Jim learnt these barndances from the playing of Jimmy Doyle, a fiddler raised in Katesbridge who relocated in Dromara to work in the Jimmie Campbell's blacksmith shop. Jimmie also played the fiddle. Jackie Donnan got the barndances from me and we played the second one regularly for the two-hand dance the Scottish Barndance at the weekly Greyabbey Village Hall. Jimmy Doyle's Barndances Jim Moore 00:00 / 03:07 Jig - Royal Charlie Jim learnt Royal Charlie from Dree fiddler Robbie Chambers. There are several variations of this tune titled Wha'll be King but Charlie , one version played by Davy Gray around Ballynahinch and another by Willie Savage around Killyleagh. The tune is Scottish in origin, and known in the Irish tradition as Behind the Bush in the Garden. Royal Charlie - Jig/Quadrille Tune Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:47 Reel - The Peeler's Jacket The Peeler's Jacket - Reel Jim Moore 00:00 / 02:05 Reel - Queen's Wedding Jim learnt Queen's Wedding from fiddler Sammy Thompson, who in turn learnt it from Jimmy Ward. It is a simpler, and most likely an older, version of the Swallow's Tail . Queen's Wedding - Reel Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:27 Jig - The Widow's Rant This is another of the many tunes Jim learnt from Sammy Thompson that came from Jimmy Ward. The Widow’s Rant was published in James Aird’s - A Selection of Scotch, English, Irish and Foreign Airs. Vols I-VI Glasgow, 1790-97. It was published under the title the Irish Newsman in T. Dibdin’s - The Irish Newsman Sung by Mr. Dighton at Sadlers Wells with unbounded applause . Written by T. Dibdin. London, 1795. The Widow's Rant - Jig Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:51 Jig - Castle Donovan Castle Donovan - Jig Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:53 Jig - The Highland Quickstep Another of the many tunes Jim learnt from Sammy Thompson. The Highland Quickstep - Jig Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:21 Hornpipe - The Honeysuckle Hornpipe The Honeysuckle Hornpipe Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:35 March - The Ballela March Jim learnt the Ballela March from its composer Jimmie Campbell. Jimmie named the tune after Ballela the neighbouring townland to where he was raised in Kilkinamurray. The Ballela March Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:58 Jig - Kissed Yestereen Jim learnt Kissed Yestereen from Sammy Thompson. Titled Kiss'd Yestereen this double jig was published in the Collection of Scotch Airs. Vol II and III . 1738-42, in James Oswald’s - The Caledonian Pocket Companion Book II . London, c. 1750. Books III - XII c. 1751 – 1760 titled O as I was Kiss'd th' streen and in James Johnson’s - The Scots Musical Museum . Edinburgh, 1787-1803 titled O as I was Kist Yestereen . Kissed Yestereen - Jig Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:20 Polka - Untitled Polka from Jimmy Ward No. 2 Jim learnt this polka from Sammy Thompson, who learnt it from Jimmy Ward. Ward was well-known for adding additional parts to tunes, often in different keys. This would appear to be one such case; Untitled Polka from Jimmy Ward No 2 Jim Moore 00:00 / 02:04 March - Charlie McClurg's March No. 2 Jim learnt this march from Charlie McClurg. Charlie McClurg's March No 2 Jim Moore 00:00 / 02:37 Waltz - Green Grows the Green Laurel Green Grows the Green Laurel - Waltz Jim Moore 00:00 / 01:41

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)

Robbie Gray Robbie Gray's manuscripts were handed down to Davy Gray. The manuscripts were offered to me by Davy's close friend John McAdam in 1997. Robbie Gray initially went to Jimmy Ward to learn the fiddle. In 1930 he taught his brother Davy, who was 8 years younger, to play by learning the rudiments of written music. 1 Jig - Untitled Jig (HD ref JW311) Barndance - Kitty's Barndance (HD ref JW284) Song - When you gan away Jamie Mazurka - Untitled Mazurka (HD ref RG376) 2 Schottische - The Danish Polka (HD ref WS130) March - Jonnie Cope (HD ref RG375) March - John McKenzie's March (HD ref RG375) 3 Waltz - Ye Banks and Braes O bonny Down Waltz - Untitled Waltz generally titled Come O'er the stream Charlie (HD ref JD166) Waltz - Untitled Waltz generally titled Jimmy Ward's Waltz (HD ref JW357) Mazurka - Untitled Mazurka locally called Robbie Gray's Mazurka No2 (HD ref RG377) 4 Hornpipe - The Honeysuckle Hornpipe

The Quinn Manuscripts Robert Quinn (1854 - 1930), from between the Glass Moss and Ballyrickard a couple of miles east of Comber in East Down, taught his sons Adam (1885 - 1971) and Robert (1887 - 1918), and his daughter Eva (b.1902) to play the fiddle. The Quinn manuscripts have been passed down through the family. Robert's great grandson Andy Cooper gave me access to them in 2012. 1 Reel - The Black Haired Lass (HD ref RQ205) Reel - Touch it if you Dare (HD ref RQ206) 2 Reel - Push about the Jaram generally known as Miss Monaghan (HD ref RQ205) Reel - Fire over the Mountains (HD ref RQ204) 3 Jig - The Trip to the Cottage (HD ref RQ202) Reel - The Green Fields of America (HD ref RQ206) 4 Hornpipe - The Liverpool Hornpipe Reel - Down the Banks (HD ref RQ204) 5 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Duncan Davidson (HD ref JW306) Jig - Pop goes the Weasel 6 Polka - The Ballroom Polka Varsovienna Tune - Untitled Polka - Heel and Toe Polka (a song tune I'll tell my ma ) 7 Jig - The Protestant Boys (HD ref RQ203) Reel - The Brandy Bottle (HD ref RQ206) 8 Reel - The Wind that shakes the Barley (HD ref JW328) Quadrille 2/4 - The Girl I left behind me (HD ref WS125) 9 Reel - Through the Broom (HD ref RQ206) March - Prince Albert's March (HD ref RQ204) 10 Waltz - The Scotch Waltz Song - Auld Lang Syne 11 Reel - Miss McCloud's Reel (HD ref JW319) Song - What's at the Steer 12 Jig - The Rakes of Kildare 13 Jig - Apron's On (HD ref RQ203) Jig - Lannigan's Ball (HD ref RQ203) 14 Polka - Inver Folk in the Shaws Reel - The Soldier's Joy (HD ref JD161) 15 Hornpipe - The Steamboat (HD ref RQ202) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Rob Roy (HD ref WS124) 16 Song - There's nae gude luck about the House Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The Quaker's Wife (HD ref JD158) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Royal Charlie (HD ref WS128 ) 17 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The Laird of Cockpen (HD ref TO191) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - The Lass O'Gowrie (HD ref WS126 ) 18 Schottische - The Danish Polka (HD ref WS130) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - My Love is but a Lassie yet (HD ref WS121 ) 19 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Off She goes (HD ref WS122) Waltz - Untitled Waltz generally titled The Fairyland Waltz (HD ref JW338) 20 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - The Laird of Cockpen (HD ref TO191) Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Untitled Quadrille locally titled The Maid of the Mill (HD ref SW216) 21 Quadrille Tune 6/8 - Bonnie Dundee (HD ref WS118) Schottische - Untitled Schottische locally known as Hop Light Loo (HD ref WMcC101) 22 Reel - Green Garters (HD ref RQ205) 23 Hornpipe - The Showman's Fancy (HD ref RQ202) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - 5th Quadrille locally known as The March to the Battlefield and played for the 5th figure of the Quadrilles. 24 Quadrille Tune 2/4 - 4th Quadrille generally titled La Russe (HD ref RQ202) Quadrille Tune 2/4 - Adam's 5th Quadrille 25 Yon Town Reel - Untitled Reel

Jackie Donnan - 3 These come from mostly quiet soirees and sessions recorded by myself and Dianna Skillen at various times in the period 1975 - 1999. They were digitised and edited during Lockdown (2020). Polka - Down the Wee Dark Hole Jackie played Down the Wee Dark Hole with Willie Savage for the dance the Laughing Gauger which is a "hop skip" polka. They played it in the key of G, whereas Willie McCloy played it in the key of A calling it the Banjo . It was also called Lift up your Clothes. Recorded in 1993. Down the wee Dark Hole (hop/skip Polka) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:44 Polka - the Wearied Soldier Jackie learnt the Wearied Soldier from Davy and Robbie Gray, who in turn learnt it from Jimmy Ward (1865 - 1944). Ward and subsequent fiddlers played it for the dance the Laughing Gauger which is a "hop skip" polka, a popular two-hand dance around both Central and East Down. Recorded in 1992. The Wearied Soldier (hop/skip Polka) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:36 Strathspey - Miss Lyall Another tune Jackie Donna would have played with Toye William and his son Willie Savage. In the period after their death strathspeys would have been Jackie's favourite solo tunes (his "party pieces"). Recorded in 1976. Miss Lyall (Strathspey) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:41 Strathspey - the Iron Man Another tune Jackie Donna would have played with Toye William and his son Willie Savage. Recorded in 1976. the Iron Man (Strathspey) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:40 Waltz - Billy Marshall's Waltz Jackie learnt this waltz from Toye William. Willie had forgotten it for many years when a man asked him to play it after whistling a portion. Thereafter it was nicknamed Billy Marshall's Waltz as he had reminded Willie of it. Recorded in 1984. Billy Marshall's (Waltz) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:03 Schottische - Sally round the Gooseberry Bush Jackie learnt Sally round the Gooseberry Bush from Davy and Robbie Gray, who in turn learnt it from Jimmy Ward (1865 - 1944). Ward and subsequent fiddlers played it for the two-hand dance the Plain Schottische , a popular dance around both Central and East Down. Recorded in 1994. Sally round the Gooseberry (Plain Schottische) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:21 Reel - Farewell to Cailroe Jackie learnt Farewell to Cailroe from the well-known tin whistle player Tom McHale who occasionally called into the Saturday night session in Balloo House in the early 1970s. Farewell to Cailroe was composed by Finbarr Dwyer the accordion player from Cork. Farewell to Cailroe (Reel) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:55 Jig/Quadrille tune - Burney's No 3 Burney's Quadrilles are thought to have come from a fiddle player, Paddy Burney. Jackie and Willie Savage, and subsequently Jackie and myself, played Burney's No 3 for the 3rd figure of the Quadrilles. It is an interesting tune as the first part is a standard double jig that fits the dance, however the second part is more like a single jig, with long draggy notes; these fit perfectly with another section of the dance when the couples are balancing. Burney's No3 (JIg/Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:12 Barndance - the North-East Quickstep Jackie learnt the North-East Quickstep from his longtime fiddle playing friend Tom Miskelly. the North-East Quickstep (Barndance) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:40 March - the Hills of Alva Jackie recalled the march the Hills of Alva in the early 90s. He subsequently altered this variation changing notes and by adding a further part. the Hills of Alva (March) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 00:48 Jig/Quadrille tune - Over the Sea Jackie and Willie Savage and subsequently Jackie and myself played Over the Sea for the 4th figure of the Quadrilles. Willie McCloy played it for the 3rd of the Caledonians. Jackie maintained that whilst it was a simple tune it sounded well with twin fiddles - he often referred to it as "twin fiddles". Over the Sea (6/8 Quadrille Tune) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:22 Polka - Petronella Petronella was played by many of the fiddlers from East and Central Down for the popular two-hand dance, the Laughing Gauger , which is a hop-skip polka. The bouncy rhythm of the initial bars to both parts fit the "hop-skip" steps of the dance. Petronella (hop/skip Polka) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:22 Polka - Niel Gow's Farewell to Whisky One of the Scottish composer’s best-known tunes, it was originally a slow air composed to lament the prohibition of making whisky in Scotland in 1799. “It is,” explained Niel or Nathaniel Gow, “expressive of a Highlander’s sorrow on being deprived of his favourite beverage”. In Ireland it is popular as a polka, where it has been played the length of the country from Kerry, by Patrick O’Keefe, Denis Murphy, and Julia Clifford in Kerry, to Antrim by Joe Holmes. There are several versions played in Down, one titled Highland Whisky around the central part of the county. It was played by Willie Savage and Willie McCloy. Savage played it for the 5th figure of the Lancers, whereas McCloy played it for the 5th figure of the Caledonians. Jackie and myself played occasionally for the last of the Lancers. Farewell to Whisky & Untitled (Polkas) Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 02:14 Discussion on Mazurkas and playing for dancing Discussion on mazurkas & dancing Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:32 After playing a mazurka Jackie described playing the fiddle for a dance with an auld fella (Willie Savage at the regular dance in Toye Orange Hall) for eight years. It was hard work. They played from 9 to 3 (9pm to 3am) and they were paid extra for every half hour after. But when you started that there, they danced to daylight. They were used dancing to a particular tune. They were used dancing to this one for years. I mind we played at the New Line and a big farmer, James McKelvey of the Bushes, came up and says "that's no the right tune". Willie Savage was cross man and his moustache stood out on end. McKelvey comes up says "that's no the right tune". Savage's moustache was standing out and he says "what is the right tune". So McKelvey lilted it over. Then Savage to me "we'll play his tune, then we'll play our own tune and sure he'll know bad all about it". So we played his tune and he got half way round the hall and changed into our own tune and he never noticed it. It was a wrong thing even - we should have played away no matter about him. Discussion on Barndances, Pacemakers & This is your Life Barndances, Pacemakers & This is your Life Jackie Donnan 00:00 / 01:57 Jackie Donnan holding court. He initially discusses playing only one tune for each dance, or figure of a dance. Then the benefits of dancing generally........

Nigel Boullier Jigs/Quadrille tunes - Annie Laurie & Brian O'Neill Josie Nugent & Nigel Boullier (fiddles) and Brian Stafford ( uilleann pipes) play two Jigs or 6/8 Quadrille Tunes, Annie Laurie & Brian O'Neill that come from the playing of Jackie Donnan and Willie McCloy. Recorded Bangor 2022. Jigs - Jackson's Trip & the Boy in his Pants Nigel Boullier and Dianna Skillen play two Jigs - Jackson's Trip & The Boy in his Pants . Nigel learnt Jackson's Trip from fiddle player Jackie Donnan, which he in turn learnt from Willie McCloy, and he learned T he Boy in his Pants from Lisburn fiddler Liam Donnelly . Recorded in 1994.

Brian Sutherland Jigs - The Whistler at the Wake, The Old Flail & The Rafters over the Waves Brian Sutherland, Finbar McLaughlin (pipes) & Cyril Maguire (flute) playing the jigs The Whistler at the Wake , The Old Flail and The Rafters over the Waves, accompanied by John Robertson (bodhran). The first two tunes were composed by flute player Vincent Broderick. Recorded c.2007. Strathspey - The Laird of Drumblair Brian Sutherland playing The Laird of Drumblair , a strathspey played regularly by Brian's uncle Jackie Donnan. Recorded c.2010. Reel - The Moving Bog Brian Sutherland playing The Moving Bogs of Allen , a well-known reel in the Comber session where it was usually titled simply The Moving Bog . Recorded c.2010. Jig - Tatter Jack Walsh Brian Sutherland playing Tatter Jack Walsh , a well-known jig in the Comber session. Recorded c.2010. Mazurkas - Jackie Donnan's Mazurkas Brian Sutherland playing two mazurkas that he learned from his uncle Jackie Donnan. Jackie usually called them Jimmy McElroy's (from whom he learned it) and The Spanish Mazurka. Recorded c.2010.

Seamus Sands These audio clips were recorded by Seamus Sands for his albums Across Bridges , 2015 and A Deep Pool , 2018 and are presented here with his kind permission. The explanatory notes are taken from the album notes and written by Seamus himself. Reel - The Blackbird The first is my interpretation of a lovely Co. Down reel that is included in Nigel Boullier’s Handed Down book on Co. Down fiddle playing. Nigel learned the tune from fiddler Jackie Donnan and I feel the lovely melody suits being played slowly. The Blackbird (Reel) Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:47 Reel - Sleeping Maggie Drowsy Maggie is perhaps one of the most commonly played session tunes, but this unusual 4-part version, titled Sleeping Maggie , comes from an undated manuscript of Co. Down fiddle player James Ward, who died in 1944. According to Nigel Boullier, Jimmy Ward was known for adding parts to tunes and it is possible that this version was his own creation. I like the fact that the unexpected third part at first doesn’t seem to fit but after a while it does seem to blend and give energy to the tune. Sleeping Maggie (Reel) Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:19 Figure Dance - Bessy Black A six-part dance tune, also known as Betty Black , once common in Down and Armagh but no longer widely played. Not the typical rhythm of session tunes and I sometimes think the tune has a baroque feel to it, especially when played at a lower pitch, and I play it on a fiddle tuned down two tones. This version comes from my flute-player friend Dermot Rafferty and was recorded by his uncle, Hugh Savage, in 1952. Bessy Black (Figure Dance) Seamus Sands 00:00 / 02:22 Reel - The Silvery Bar The Silvery Bar is one of my own compositions and I play these tunes on the fiddle I made and for this last tune I’ve no excuses …..my fiddle, my tune, my playing! The Silvery Bar (Reel) Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:23 Reels - The Carrickmannon Lasses / The Wind that Shakes the Barley I learned the first reel from Co Down fiddler Nigel Boullier during an enjoyable visit to share a few tunes. He collected it from fiddler Jackie Donnan who had learned it from fiddler Willie Savage. Carrickmannon is in Co. Down. The well-known Wind That Shakes the Barley is one of the first I learned from Co. Armagh fiddler Jimmy Burns and was a real favourite of the older players and ceili bands in the area. This is my interpretation of a quite ornate version in the Donnellan collection. The Carrickmannon Lasses / The Wind that Shakes the Barley (Reels) Seamus Sands 00:00 / 02:45 Barndance - Jimmy Doyle's Co. Down fiddle players Nigel and Dianna Boullier gave me the first barn dance after a very enjoyable day at their home exchanging stories and tunes. Nigel got the tune from his friend Jim Moore with whom he played weekly for over eight years. Jim in turn learned the tune from another Co. Down fiddle player, Jimmy Doyle, and Nigel includes it in his book Handed Down with some history regarding the player. There is a distinctive G-sharp note at the end of the second part that gives the tune something special and perhaps unexpected. Jimmy Doyle's Barndance Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:27 Flings - Jimmy Ward's / Craigbuy House On Across Bridges I included tunes from Co. Down fiddler Jimmy Ward (d.1944). I’ve enjoyed playing tunes from this player that were made available through Nigel Boullier’s work and this is another of his tunes that appeals to me. My source for the second tune is John Macpherson Mulhollan's A selection of Irish and Scots tunes collection (Edinburgh). The title may be an alternative spelling of Craigboy, a townland in Donaghadee, Co. Down. It appears next to The Donaghadee Hunt , which I also play on this recording. Jimmy Ward's / Craigbuy House (Flings) Seamus Sands 00:00 / 02:31 Jig - The Donaghadee Hunt The Mulhollan collection (Edinburgh) was my source for the second jig. The Donaghadee Hunt Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:06 Figure Dance - The Sweets of May The Sweets of May is a 3-part dance tune most associated with Co. Armagh. This Co. Down version appears in Handed Down and came from the playing of Jackie Donnan who learned it in the 1950s from Willie McCloy. Unlike other versions, it doesn’t have the first part repeated. Figure Dance - The Sweets of May Seamus Sands 00:00 / 02:14 Reel - The Grain of Tea The Grain of Tea is another tune I sourced from Handed Down. In my earlier solo recording, I played an unusual version of The Cup of Tea….. here’s another tea-themed tune! The Grain of Tea Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:26 Mazurka - Rockin' the Cradle I’m delighted to be joined by my three fiddle-playing daughters, representing a sixth generation of fiddlers, for these mazurkas. The last tune is one I first heard at a session in Drumnaquoile, Co. Down quite a few years ago. This last tune is included in Handed Down. Mazurka - Rockin' the Cradle Seamus Sands 00:00 / 01:20 Air / Hornpipe - The Besom / The Man from Newry The Besom is a simple, but catchy, song and the first that my great-grandfather Sands taught his seven fiddle-player sons, including my grandfather. It was played and sung to me by Colum Sands who has words that start “As I was going to Newry …..” . The song with a similar chorus has links to Tyneside in the late 1700s and to Scotland. A version of the same tune appears in Levey’s 1858 Dance Music of Ireland as The Besom . The besom is a broom made of heather. The Man from Newry appears in O’Neill’s but isn’t a tune I ever heard when growing up in Newry! The Besom / The Man from Newry Seamus Sands 00:00 / 02:40 Set Dance - The Old Lodge Road / Rodney's Glory I grew up in Newry, a town bridging both counties Down and Armagh and many of the first tunes I learned there were set dances, which were played at a relaxed pace. The Old Lodge Road is one such tune that has remained with me from that time and it reminds me of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann sessions in the old Newry library in the mid ‘70s, with my father at my side to encourage, and the older players patiently sharing. A lot of the tunes were set dances, barn dances, marches, mazurkas and airs, many with a strong Scottish influence. Some of the local players that inspired at those sessions were Willie McSherry, Bertie Trodden, Paddy Rafferty, and Sean O’Driscoll. Rodney’s Glory is also one of my favourites and there is something that keeps bringing me back to both these tunes. The Old Lodge Road / Rodney's Glory Seamus Sands 00:00 / 04:12