Ward Irish Music Archives

78rpm Disc: Moate Ceilide Band: Barn Dance Selection
Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/moate-ceilide-band-barn-dance-selection

Here's a 1946 recording featuring the Moate Ceilidhe Band on a couple of barn dances. Musicians included William "Pepper" Adamson (presumably on saxophone on this side), Michael Kincaid (fiddle), William Jordan (fiddle), John Joe Gannon (accordion), and William Donnelly (piano).

Released on the Regal Zonophone label (IZ 1276). From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 00-673.

A happy birthday to the Chief, Capt. Francis O'Neill! He was born on August 28, 1848 in Tralibane, Co. Cork. The thick Cork accent speaking the introduction to James Early's "Saddle the Pony" cylinder recording is possibly (likely?) O'Neill's. Take a listen here: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/saddle-the-pony-jig

78rpm Disc: Terry Lane: Accordeon Yodel Waltz

track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/terry-lane-accordeon-yodel-waltz

Here's the other side to the disc posted yesterday, another waltz recorded by accordion player Terry Lane in 1938 for the HMV label (IM 530).

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 03-288.

78rpm Disc: Terry Lane: Errigal Waltz

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/terry-lane-errigal-waltz

Here's a waltz recorded by accordion player Terry Lane in 1938 for the HMV label (IM 530). Lane was also a member of the Dublin Metropolitan Garda Céilíde Band and recorded sides for Bill Stapleton's fledgling Irish Recording Company label.

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 03-288.

We’re sorry to hear of the passing of fiddle and piano player, as well as composer, Charlie Lennon. Charlie debuted his “Island Wedding” concert suite for the first time in the US at the 1996 Milwaukee Irish Fest, which featured performances from Liz Carroll, John Ceszynski, Brett Lipshutz, Dave Delgado, John Nicholson, and Àine Meenaghan.

We’d like to extend our condolences to Charlie’s family and friends.

78rpm disc: P. J. McNamara: The Horse and Jockey (reel)

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/p-j-mcnamara-the-horse-and-jockey-reel

A bouncy reel from P. J. McNamara on piccolo, recorded in 1926. The tune was recorded as Tinker's Stick by Matt Molloy on his Stony Steps album, but it's also known as The New Policeman and The Twin Brothers amongst others.

McNamara and his brothers were the inspiration behind the popular "MacNamara's Band" song by Shamus O'Connor and John J. Stamford. More about the family can be found here: https://wardirishmusicarchives.com/WIMA-Blog/The-Real-MacNamaras-Band.htm

The speed and pitch of this recording has been adjusted to 76rpm based on Alan Morrisroe’s research about Victor recordings of this time period.

Released on the Victor label (79001-A). From the David Giovannoni Collection, DG 78 00-238.

78rpm Disc: Austin Kelly and His All Ireland Irish Orchestra: Maggie Pickin's (fling)

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/austin-kelly-and-his-all-ireland-irish-orchestra-maggie-pickins-fling

Philadelphia-based Austin Kelly's band recorded this version of Maggie Pickin's in the late 1940s and features a brief banjo solo by Jimmy McDade around the 1:38 mark. McDade played guitar and banjo for a variety of other Irish groups in Philadelphia, including Erin's Pride Orchestra, John McGettigan and His Irish Minstrels, and The Four Provinces Orchestra.

Kelly was from Cloonlough, near Ballinlouch, Co. Roscommon. Kelly's son, Patrick, played flute in the band. Others included flute players Tom Doonan, Tommy Doherty, and Charlie Gaffney; piano player Ed Lee; accordion player Danny Smith; and Mike Gallagher. From various accounts, Austin Kelly played flute, fiddle, and accordion.

Recorded in the 1940s on the Aqua label, A-5001. From the David Giovannoni Collection, DG 78 00-003.

Many thanks to Kelly's great-grandson, Michael Brock, for the additional information and photos! First photo shows Patrick F. Kelly on piccolo and Austin Kelly on accordion.

78rpm Disc: Dan Sullivan's Shamrock Band: Rickett's Hornpipe/College Hornpipe

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/dan-sullivans-shamrock-band-ricketts-hornpipe-college-hornpipe

This set of hornpipes was recorded by pianist Dan Sullivan's band in 1926. Both tunes are also referred to as The Sailor's, among other names. The rest of the band included Michael C. Hanafin and Thomas Ryan on fiddles, Daniel J. Murphy on pipes, and Daniel P. Moroney on tin whistle.

Released on the Columbia label (33105-F). From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 00-765.

78rpm Disc: Martin Flaherty and his Orchestra: Flaherty's Favorite/The Girl from Lettermore (polkas)

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/martin-flaherty-and-his-orchestra-flahertys-favorite-the-girl-from-lettermore-polkas

Here's a set of polkas recorded by accordionist Martin Flaherty and his band. Susan Gedutis mentions in "See You at the Hall" that Flaherty's group included George Derrane (brother of Joe) on banjo, guitar, and tenor saxophone as well as Tommy McSharry on piano. The second tune is also known as The Little Diamond.

Released on the Copley label (9-188). From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 00-750.

Page six from the first music manuscript book found in the Dunn Family Collection. Tunes include:

Tomorrow Morning
The Man from Newry
Jig obtained by Mr. Pat Touhey from Mr. Kerrigan for Sergt. Early

The jig seems to be a setting of The Cow That Ate the Blanket.

From the Dunn Family Collection, DUNN MS 00-001.

Album artwork to "Another Feast of Irish Folk," a compilation disc released by Polydor in 1980. Featured artists include The Bothy Band, Planxty, Jimmy Crowley, The Dubliners, The Furey Bros. & Davey Arthur, Danny Dole, De Dannan, Tommy Makem, Christy Moore, Clannad, and The Bards. Artwork includes illustrations by Jack B. Yeats.

From the Comer Collection, Comer LP 01-756.

78rpm Disc: Michael Grogan: The Cliff/Harvest Home (hornpipes)

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/michael-grogan-the-cliffharvest-home-hornpipes

Here are a couple hornpipes from accordion player Michael Grogan, recorded c.1938 in Dublin for the Regal Zonophone label (IZ 947). Ted McGraw points out that Grogan, from Mullingar in Co. Westmeath, was one of the few B/C players of the time.

The Cliff hornpipe is known by a number of other names (Higgins', The Ruby, and The Standard to name a few). It was recorded by John J. Kimmel in 1909 and Michael Coleman in 1921.

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 03-163.

78rpm Disc: John Griffin: My Auld Skillara Hat (song)
Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/john-griffin-my-auld-skillara-hat-song

Roscommon-born flute player and singer John Griffin recorded "My Auld Skillara Hat" in July of 1928. Interestingly, fellow flute player and singer John Sheridan recorded the song in May of the same year.

Jim Carroll points out that the song was originally written as "My Old Killarney Hat' by Dublin baritone, Leo Maguire, who was also the composer of the Whistling Gypsy (via the Clare County Library: https://www.clarelibrary.ie/eolas/coclare/songs/cmc/auld_scolaire_hat_scleary.htm).

Released on the Columbia label (33270-F). From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 02-097.

Whew, what a weekend! Thanks so much to everyone who presented and attended during the Archiving Irish America Conference!

Special appreciation goes out to honoree, Harry Bradshaw, along with keynote presenters Jean Butler and Liz Carroll, as well as the amazing volunteers who helped make this event possible. From engaging presentations to fantastic tunes and an amazing céilí led by Jimmy Keane, this was a weekend of highlights, and the Archives is excited to keep engaging and building this community.

We'd also like to acknowledge the hard work of the WIMA board, along with the conference committee:

Scott Spencer, University of Southern California (co-chair)
Aileen Dillane, University of Limerick (co-chair)
Samantha Jones, Harvard University
Sean Williams, Evergreen State College
Dan Neely, Irish Echo
Danny Diamond, University of Galway
Jeff Ksiazek, Ward Irish Music Archives
Barry Stapleton, Ward Irish Music Archives

Conference videos will go out to registrants later this week, and we'll post photos and memories down the road.

📸 : Barry Stapleton, Scott Spencer, Daniel Neely, and Jeff Ksiazek

Hi - today's the day! The Conference kicks off tonight at 6pm with our reception followed by Harry Bradshaw's talk. And... we're keeping online conference registration open through Saturday! You'll receive your Zoom link through the Eventbrite confirmation email.

And we'll offer $40 in-person per day registration at the door for Friday and Saturday.

Hit the link the comments for full schedule and to register!

Archiving Irish America (April 11-13) will celebrate the launch of “Capturing O’Neill” — a digital humanities initiative with the Ward Irish Music Archives and the Irish Traditional Music Archive in Dublin to document the remaining signed copies of Chief Francis O’Neill’s books of Irish dance tunes, and place his efforts to document Irish culture in the Irish diasporic world in which he operated. Join us Friday April 12 at 12:30pm CT at the CelticMKE Center in Milwaukee, WI or online. Registration and program details at link in comments!

Registration for Online Conference access via Zoom closes at end of day today, April 10!

Join us to close out the Archiving Irish American conference (April 11-13) on Saturday at 7pm at the CelticMKE headquarters in Milwaukee, WI for a Céilí led by Irish music accordion virtuoso Jimmy Keane! You can also catch Jimmy presenting his project HORSE and moderating the panel "Living Clay" Saturday afternoon. Conference registration includes the cost of admission for the Céilí. Registration and program details link in comments!

The Opening Reception of Archiving Irish America: Music, Dance & Culture will honor Harry Bradshaw, renowned radio producer, record producer, sound engineer, and writer/lecturer on Irish traditional music. Harry will deliver the Chuck Ward Lecture on the topic of "Bill Stapleton and the Irish Recording Company" on Thursday, April 11 at 6:30pm at the CelticMKE Center in Milwaukee, WI - or online via Zoom. Registration and program details at link in the comments!

🎻 Check out the cover artwork to Josephine Keegan's iconic album "Fiddle: Irish Traditional Music" 🎶 Released in 1977, this classic showcases Keegan's talent on both fiddle and piano, with twelve compositions of her own.

From the Irish Fest Collection, IF LP 00-243.

Jean Butler will present, "Our Steps, Our Story: An Irish Dance Legacy Archive" as one of the keynote speakers for Archiving Irish America, April 11-13 at the Ward Irish Music Archives, Milwaukee, WI or online via Zoom. Dancer, choreographer, and Our Steps Artistic Director Jean Butler is a leading figure in the world of contemporary Irish dance performance. Join us and check out her presentation on Friday afternoon! Registration and program details link in the comments!

Photo credit: Mark Mann

Archiving Irish America: Music, Dance, and Culture Conference Search for Irish music, recordings, artifacts, and other resources at the Ward Irish Music Archives in Milwaukee, WI.

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Wherever you are, we hope you can get out and enjoy some live Irish music on this holiday. Here is a selection of sheet music covers from our collections celebrating St. Patrick's Day themes.

Liz Carroll will give one of the keynote presentations at the upcoming conference Archiving Irish America. Born in Chicago, Liz Carroll is a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship Award, was the first Irish-American musician nominated for a Grammy, and was the first American-born composer honored with the Cumadóir TG4. Join us April 11-13 at the Ward Irish Music Archives in Milwaukee, WI and hear her presentation on Saturday afternoon. Or join us online from anywhere via Zoom! Registration and program details link in the comments.

Photo credit: Marianne Mangan.

78rpm Disc: Leo Rowsome and His Irish Pipers Band: Bonnie Kate/Miss Monaghan's/The Blackberry Blossom (Reels)

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/leo-rowsome-and-his-irish-pipers-band-bonnie-katemiss-monaghansthe-blackberry-blossom-reels

Here's a set of reels from uilleann piper Leo Rowsome's band recorded in 1931. This was released on HMV (I.M. 372).

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 00-539.

Registration is now open! Join us for Archiving Irish America: Music, Dance & Culture April 11-13, 2024 at the Ward Irish Music Archives in Milwaukee, WI and around the world via Zoom. In Irish America, archives have been essential in allowing recent generations to tap into the long history of music, language, oral traditions, dance and folklore essential to a vibrant and living culture. “Archiving Irish America” will be a three-day series of presentations, discussions, and related events to better understand the role of archives and archival materials in the preservation and promotion of Irish culture in America. The conference will bring together those who engage with archival materials in their research or creative practice, those who have collected and curated cultural treasures for these archives, and those who wish to contribute to documenting and creating Irish American culture through these important institutions. Registration and program details in the comments.

This project is supported in part by a grant from the Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Archiving Irish America: Music, Dance, and Culture Conference Search for Irish music, recordings, artifacts, and other resources at the Ward Irish Music Archives in Milwaukee, WI.

78rpm Disc: Jerry O'Brien: Gypsy Hornpipe

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/jerry-obrien-gypsy-hornpipe

Accordion player Jerry O'Brien recorded this version of the Gypsy hornpipe for the O'Byrne De Witt label (9-101), which was later re-released on the Copley label. O'Brien, originally from Kinsale, arrived in Boston in the early 1920s and recorded with O'Leary's Irish Minstrels. John Connors provides piano accompaniment on this recording.

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 03-276.

Clare Fiddle The Dunne family are traditional musicians of great renown, however it is the violin owned by 75 year old Bernie Dunne from Cork that makes them unique.

78rpm Disc: Eddie Herborn: Rackety Jack and the Ha'Penny (reels)

Track: https://soundcloud.com/ward-irish-music-archives/eddie-herborn-rackety-jack-and-the-hapenny-reels

This set of reels by accordion player Eddie Herborn was recorded in 1923 and released on the O'Keh label (21021). First tune is a version of the Glen Allen.

From the Ted McGraw Collection, McGraw 78 03-181.

We're sorry to hear of the loss of Shane McGowan. Many great tributes are pouring in, including these insightful words from Donal Fallon on twitter:

"Much will be written on The Pogues in the next few days. They were an extraordinary thing, they can not be understood simply as an 'Irish band' or a 'London band' but as something rooted in a very unique identity that exists in the Diaspora."

That reach of course extended into the United States and the many musicians who Shane and The Pogues influenced.

Our thoughts go out to his family and friends.

Support the Ward Irish Music Archives on this - any contributions help us fulfill our mission to collect, promote, preserve, and disseminate Irish and Irish-American musics in all their forms.

From rare sheet music and cylinder recordings to the latest digital formats, it's an honor for us to take care of - and give access to - the treasures in our collections. But storing, cataloging, and digitizing this material is an expensive endeavor, so any help you can give goes a long way to keeping the history and future of Irish music in America accessible for years to come.

Donate here: https://bit.ly/WIMA-Donate