For my fourth and final update as part of my Dún-Laoghaire Rathdown residency I have put together a selection of two reels which serve as an example of the type of music I intend to showcase as part of the Residency’s final performance later in the year.
The first tune titled “Donoghue’s favourite” comes from Co. Sligo tin whistle player Jim Donoghue. The recording, which features Jim as well as his son Séamus on bodhrán, was made by Reg Hall, a name most well-known for his extensive recording of musicians in London. The recording can be found as part of the British Library’s sound archives within the Reg Hall collection.
The second tune is a common tune known as “Lucy Campbell’s”. However, I associate this particular version with the great Killavil flute player Peter Horan. Although having come from a recording of Horan and his lifelong musical partner Fred Finn, my playing is hugely inspired by Horan’s take on the tune. Interestingly, I recently heard a very similar version of the tune on a recording of Peter or P Flanagan, a fiddler and tin whistle player from Co. Fermanagh who I covered in my first update as part of my residency.
I would like to thank a few people for their help putting this video together. Firstly, my great friend Macdara Ó Faoláin who provided bouzouki accompaniment on the day. Secondly, Oisín Mcgreal and Ultan Mac Gabhann for their help with camerawork and editing. And lastly a massive thank you to Tom Mulligan and all the staff of the Cobblestone Pub in Smithfield who were hugely accommodating.