Planxty John Irwin

Carolan composed this tune for Colonel John Irwin (1680-1752) of Tanrego House, Ballysodare Bay, County Sligo. He was High Sheriff for Sligo in 1731. The Irwins had obtained their lands under the Cromwellian settlement. Carolan calls John Irwin the "brave English Irelander" and appreciates his hospitality: "with mirth and joy he fills our glasses, Delights to cheer both lads and lasses."

Courtesy of Dearbhail Finnegan

Fanny Power

Fanny (Frances) Power was the daughter of David and Elizabeth Power from Loughrea in county Galway. She married Richard Trent in 1732. This tune was composed before their marriage because in the second verse Carolan hopes to dance at their wedding.

Courtesy of Dearbhail Finnegan

Carolan's Farewell to Music

When Carolan felt his death was near he returned to the house of his patron Mrs MacDermott Roe at Alderford. He composed and played his final piece of music there called Carolan's Farewell to Music. Carolan died in March 1738.

Courtesy of Dearbhail Finnegan

Carolan's Concerto

Carolan is said to have composed this piece of music during a duel of musical mastery with Italian composer Geminiani whom he met in one of the big houses where both performers were staying.

Courtesy of Dearbhail Finnegan

Bridget Cruise

Bridget Cruise lived at Rahood near Nobber and was Carolan's first love. They met while Carolan attended the school run by the Cruise family. Carolan composed many tunes for Bridget although they parted when Carolan's family moved to Roscommon. Meeting at Lough Derg many years later Carolan recognised Bridget by the touch of her hand.

Courtesy of Nobber Festival Committee

'The Ship in Full Sail'

Elizabeth Crotty (concertina) plays 'The Ship in Full Sail'

© RTÉ

The Morning Thrush

Conor Byrne (flute) and Christy Moore (bodhrán) play a reel from the recording 'Wind Dancer'.

Newberry Recording Ltd, CB 0001

Slip jigs

The Four Star Trio perform a set of slip jigs from their CD, The Square Triangle. Barney Brallaghan's / Ride A Mile / The Sport of the Chase

Craft Recordings, CRCD002

O'Neill, Francis, O'Neill's Irish Music, Dublin: M.H. Gill And Son

Frances O'Neill (1848-1936) was born near Bantry, Co. Cork at the height of the Great Irish Potato Famine in which over a million died and over a million fled in the 'coffin' ships for the New World. Despite their misery Irish people had a vibrant musical culture in which O'Neill was immersed from childhood. From the 1840s generations of Irish people emigrated to the United States. Irish Americans proudly retained many of the traditions of the 'Emerald Isle' especially traditional music for whom collectors such as O'Neill published sheet music

100 Memoirs of Irish Bards

Irish Minstrelsy, Vol. II

Irish Minstrelsy, Vol. I

Irish Minstrelsy, or Bardic Remains of Ireland; with English poetical translations. Collected and edited, with notes and illustrations, by James Hardiman, M.R.I.A. Vol. I. London: Joseph Robins, Bride Court, Bridge Street. 1831.