Lord Gordons has always been a favourite of ours, we always play it with The Providence, I’m waiting for You is a great Kilfenora Tune, a favourite of Paddy Mullins

Jigs The Cúil Aodh Jig / ‘ Da Phreachán’*

This first jig was learnt from Johnny McCarthy and the second was composed by Conor and named after the household of the great singers Jane & Mick Flynn in Rineen, Miltown Malbay

Reels Lucy Campbells / The Moving Bogs / The Flax in Bloom

This is a selection of three reels popular in Clare, particularly Lucy Campbells, given great road by John King and Tony Cullinan. Here, the Flax in Bloom is played ‘in reverse’ as ‘originally played’.

Hornpipes The Flowing Tide / The Tara Brooch

The Flowing Tide is a very popular hornpipe, there is a good change here into the Tara Brooch, also called Paddy O’Briens. ¯

Reels Jennys Welcome to Charlie / The Land of Sunshine

Accordion Solo with two interesting tunes. Jennies Welcome to Charlie is a good traditional reel, providing a nice pairing with Martin Mulhaires Brilliant Composition~The land of sunshine: This was called 'Andy McGanns' on the Sleevnotes

Jigs The Pipe on the Hob / The Hag with the money

This is one of many versions of The Pipe on the Hob, The Hag with the Money is a lively flowing Jig derived from the song.

Reels The Storks have landed* / The Magpies Nest / The Steam Packet

This first reel was composed by Conor after the welcome birth of our twins Jane & Kevin. The Magpies Nest is taken from The Roche Collection of Music (a version of Cronins) and the Steam Packet is a great gutsy reel to finish the selection.

Air An Raibh tu ag an gCarraig

This is a very sensitive slow air on the accordion, taken from the song.

Played for Baby Peter McCarthy R.I.P.

Reels The Broken Pledge / The Graf Spey

The Broken Pledge is a very traditional reel regaining its popularity, the Graf Spey is a favourite of James Devitts and was named after a scuttled battleship, and, as Alf Duggan says, "always goes down well".

Jigs The Second Victory/The Luck Penny

The first jig, we got from the renowned teacher and musician Gus Tierney, it was composed by Paddy O'Brien and called 'Tierneys' on the sleevenotes. It makes a nice change into the Luck Penny, a great old favourite.

Reels Fahys / Sweeneys Dream

This Fiddle solo begins with one of Paddy Fahys, a reel with a lovely turn in the second half, the second tune is called Sweeneys Dream (thanks to Seamus Bugler for the name).

Set Dances The Ace and Deuce (of Pipering) / An Súiscin Bán

The Ace and Deuce has some very interesting music and has been a favourite of ours for years, this is followed by An Suiscin Ban, a very old and delicate tune.

Reels The Oak Tree / Patsy Touhys / The Wild Irishman

The Oak Tree we got from the music of Tommy Peoples, this is followed by Patsy Tuohys, (the first tune we ever played together) and the final reel, The Wild Irishman is also called The Daisy Field

Our Music

Irish Traditional Music, our hobby , our life, has an invaluable and unique asset in its development of individual and regional styles: National music with local accent, choice and habit, contributing to, never hindering the music. Those fortunate enough to have an understanding of this music are in enduring awe of the complexity, depth and expression bestowed upon this ancestral tradition. Being guardians of this Inheritance, it is of great importance that we never cease to nourish and protect, teach as it was taught and play as it was heard, undiluted in its meaning and reason:

The music we borrowed from our ancestors and borrowed from our children.

We are eternally grateful for our music, our family & friends and many blessings throughout life…..

But for the grace of God………

Conor McCarthy & Annemarie McCormack April 1998