Welcome to Intermediate Traditional Irish Fiddle

All of our tunes are easily explained, and progress gradually to incorporate new bowing patterns and techniques.  After watching / hearing a tune being played you will learn it in easy to follow phrasing and bowing patterns, which you can then practice before moving onto the next phrase.  Rónán has taught these tunes to many people around the world using these very methods - we hope you find them easy to use and enjoyable.  Please feel free to ask questions as you go.  Your feedback is very welcome and will enhance your learning experience.  Bain sult as do chuid cheol. 

Is Féidir Linn (2011) © Rónán Regan

Is Féidir Linn  was composed by Rónán Reg on an around the time President Obama visited Ireland in 2011. He began composing this tune on the 22nd April, just after the Dali Lama's visit to Ireland on 13th of April, 2011.  The Dala Lama urged self confidence, co-operation and inner strength.  The essence of their speeches were very similar. In terms of the North and in terms of our present economic difficulties, we are resilient and if we pull together 'yes we can' succeed! Chum Rónán 'Is Féidir Linn' timpeall an ama a tháinig an tUachtarán Obama go hÉirinn i 2011.Go dearfa, thosaigh Rónán ag cumadh an phoirt nuair a thug an Dali Lama cuairt ar Éirinn agus chríochnaigh sé é roimh thuras an uachtaráin Obama. Go deimhin bhí cosúlachtaí idir an dá óráid. An freagra a bhí acu beirt dos na deacrachtaí a bhí romhainn ná go bhfuil neart teacht aniar ionainn agus ‘tá muid ábalta!’.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Is Féidir Linn'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Is Féidir Linn'

Practice 'Is Féidir Linn'

Johnny When You Die (Fling) Traditional

Johnny When You Die is a popular old tune played throughout the Ireland and abroad.  It's a fling, which are usually simple tunes in a skippy rhythm, in Ireland the fling is often danced as a two-hand dance whereas in Scotland it's often danced in solo dance form.  The fling is in duple metre (in cut time and has a dotted rhythm) and is related to the highland fling and the hornpipe rhythms which are found throughout the British Isles.  A typical fling has 16-bars, dividied in two, in the form AABB. 

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Johnny When You Die'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

 All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Johnny When You Die'

Practice 'Johnny When You die'

Killimor Jig © Sean Ryan

The Killimor Jig is a tune composed by Seán Ryan, the great tipperary fiddle player and composer from Nenagh, Co. Tipperary.  Rónán recorded this tune with Irene Guckian on their album Drumshanbows (2014) along with the Besom in Bloom.   This cd is available to purchase on-line at http://www.seannosdance.com/store/  It's a set  of tunes that Rónán put together and also enjoys playing with Paddy and Enda Mannion and Tom Howley. Enda Mannion first taught Rónán the Killimor Jig.  This tune also has a floating C which gives the tune a nice flavour.  Chill Íomair Giolcach (le Pádraig Ó Riain - fidil)  Chum Seán Ó Riain an fidiléir as An Aonach, Tiobraid Árann an chéad phort. Chuir Rónán an péire seo le chéile agus é ag seinim le Pádraig agus Éanna Ó Mainnín agus Tomás Mac Amhlaigh. Thug Éanna an chéad phort do Rónán.

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Learn to Play A Part 'Killimore Jig'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

Phrase 5&6 A Part

A Part Killimor Jig

Learn to Play B Part 'Killimore Jig'

Practice The Killimor Jig

The Besom in Bloom (Jig) Traditional

The Besom in Bloom is an old traditional tune which featured in Captain Francis O'Neill's The Dance Music of Ireland in 1907. The Besom in bloom was a little known tune which was reintroduced into the tradition by Colm O'Donnell when he, PJ Hernon and many others worked on the fine tune book 'The Mountain Road' in the Coleman Centre in Gurteen, Co. Sligo.  Rónán recorded this tune with Irene Guckian on their album Drumshanbows (2014) along with a composition of Tipperary fiddle player Seán Ryan called The Kilimor Jig.  This cd is available to purchase on-line at http://www.seannosdance.com/store/  There is a feeling that this could originally be a piping tune as it appears to start in the key of D and has a floating C note which is a common feature of tunes in the piping tradition around this era.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'The Besom in Bloom'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'The Besom in Bloom'

Practice 'The Besom in Bloom'

Cryan's on the Shannon (Jig) 2012 © Rónán Regan

Rónán composed Cryan's on the Shannon  in 2012 whilst living and teaching in Gaelscoil Liatroma in Carrick-On-Shannon.  This is a tribute to a fine music house in Carrick-On-Shannon.  Rónán has taught Tuin na SionnaineCryan's On The Shannon at the Joe Mooney Summer School as well as in his weekly music classes in Cryan's Traditional Music Pub in Carrick-On-Shannon.  It starts off with a moving bass line on the D string, while continually crossing strings to the open A. This constant crossing of strings is a regular feature of Irish jigs and is good for developing a loose wrist and fluidity in your bowing style.  I hope you enjoy learning this tune, good luck!  Rónán

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Cryan's on the Shannon'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Cryan's on the Shannon'

Practice 'Cryan's on the Shannon'

Tuin na Sionainne (Jig) 2011 © Rónán Regan

Rónán composed Tuin na Sionnaine (The Voice or Tone of the River Shannon)  on 21 April, 2011 whilst living in Carrick-On-Shannon, Co. Leitrim.  The Shannon as I'm sure you know is the longest river in Ireland and the UK with a length of 280km. The river flows from its source in the Cuilcagh Mountains, near Blacklion to its estuary below Limerick. This important river and its tributaries drain some 15,500 sq km or about one fifth of the island of Ireland.) Rónán has taught Tuin na Sionnaine at the Joe Mooney Summer School as well as in his weekly music classes in Cryan's Traditional Music Pub in Carrick-On-Shannon.  It starts off with a moving bass line on the D string, while continually crossing strings to the open A. This constant crossing of strings is a regular feature of Irish jigs and is good for developing a loose wrist and fluidity in your bowing style.  I hope you enjoy learning this tune, good luck!  Rónán

n.b. On this recording Rónán mentions a date of around 2012 for date of composition, around the time of Cryan's on the Shannon, but later checked back on the original recordings and discovered that he wrote it on 21 April, 2011.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Tuin na Sionnaine'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Is Féidir Linn'

Practice 'Tuin na Sionnaine'

The Magic Slipper (Polka) Traditional

5 Polkas: The Magic Slipper The Ballinafad Polka (with Paddy Ryan - Fiddle) Rónán and Irene got the first polka from the playing of Morrison a prolific fiddle player from Co. Sligo who emigrated to America and recorded extensively there. Known as the professor, his life and music are celebrated each year at the James Morrison Festival, Riverstown, Co. Sligo. The second polka was recorded by the McDonagh brothers of Ballinafad in Co. Sligo by Paddy Ryan. They possessed ‘joi de vivre’ or gusto in their music which was very catchy and characteristic of an older musical style predominant in their area.

5 Polca: An Slipéar Draíochtúil Polca Baile Fearainn (le Pádraig Ó Riain) Fuair siad an chéad pholca ó Shéamus Ó Muireasáin a bhíodh ag taifeadadh go líofa thall i Meiriceá. Ceiliúrtar a shaol agus a chuid ceoil gach bhliain an chéad deireadh seachtaine de mí Lúnasa i mBaile Idir Dhá Abhainn, Contae Shligigh. Thaifead Pádraig Ó Riain na deartháireacha MacDonnacha ó mBaile na Fad i gContae Shligigh agus sheinn siad an polca seo. Chuir sé fuinniúileacht agus spionnadh ionat nuair a bhí tú ag éisteacht lena gceoil. Tá sean-stíl a réigiúin le mothú ann.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'The Magic Slipper'

A Part

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Is Féidir Linn'

Practice 'The Magic Slipper'

The Ballinafad Polka Traditional

5 Polkas: The Magic Slipper The Ballinafad Polka (with Paddy Ryan - Fiddle) Rónán and Irene got the first polka from the playing of Morrison a prolific fiddle player from Co. Sligo who emigrated to America and recorded extensively there. Known as the professor, his life and music are celebrated each year at the James Morrison Festival, Riverstown, Co. Sligo. The second polka was recorded by the McDonagh brothers of Ballinafad in Co. Sligo by Paddy Ryan. They possessed ‘joi de vivre’ or gusto in their music which was very catchy and characteristic of an older musical style predominant in their area.

5 Polca: An Slipéar Draíochtúil Polca Baile Fearainn (le Pádraig Ó Riain) Fuair siad an chéad pholca ó Shéamus Ó Muireasáin a bhíodh ag taifeadadh go líofa thall i Meiriceá. Ceiliúrtar a shaol agus a chuid ceoil gach bhliain an chéad deireadh seachtaine de mí Lúnasa i mBaile Idir Dhá Abhainn, Contae Shligigh. Thaifead Pádraig Ó Riain na deartháireacha MacDonnacha ó mBaile na Fad i gContae Shligigh agus sheinn siad an polca seo. Chuir sé fuinniúileacht agus spionnadh ionat nuair a bhí tú ag éisteacht lena gceoil. Tá sean-stíl a réigiúin le mothú ann.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'The Ballinafad Polka'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

Phrase 5 A Part

Phrase 7 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'The Ballinafad Polka'

Practice 'The Ballinafad Polka'

Ben Lennon's Bow-hand © Rónán Regan

Fiddle player Ben Lennon from Kiltyclogher in North Leitrim has a particular bowing style for jig playing; old tunes like 'The Geese in the Bog' come to mind. A tight, hoppy rhythm, championed by the North Connacht greats such as Coleman and Kiloran, it's a style that you don't hear too often these days. This tune; composed to pay tribute to the unique lift in Ben's playing; lends itself to this jaunty, jig style.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Ben Lennon's Bow-hand'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Ben Lennon's Bow-hand'

Learn to Play C Part 'Ben Lennon's Bow-hand'

Practice 'Ben Lennon's Bow-hand'

Sally Lennon's Jig © Ben Lennon

Fiddle player Ben Lennon from Kiltyclogher in North Leitrim composed this tune for his mother Sally (Nee Griskin) Lennon.  Ben plays jig's in a particular fashion, which is a tight, hoppy rhythm, championed by the North Connacht greats such as Coleman and Kiloran, it's a style that you don't hear too often these days.  Irene Guckian and I recorded this tune on our album Drumshanbows (2014).  Irene suggested that it would go well after Ben Lennon's Bowhand.  Ben himself recorded it on the album with Fr. Seamus Quinn, Gabriel McArdle and Ciaran Curran called Dog Big, Dog Little.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Sally Lennon's Jig'

A Part

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'Sally Lennon's Jig'

Practice 'Sally Lennon's Jig'

Jamsie Gannon's no. 1 (Barndance) Traditional

Jamsie Gannon's 1 & 2 It was Michael Gorman's playing that brought these lovely tunes to Rónán and Irene. on their album Drumshanbows (2014). Jamsie was a fiddle master from near the very music area of  Gurteen, Co. Sligo who was a generation before Kipeen Scanlon, Coleman etc and had a hand in teaching those musicians. In Jamsie’s dad’s time the family home was regarded as one of the best open houses for music and lore in Ireland. Jamsie’s dad got much of his music from the blind fiddle player Thomas Haley. The two barndances have a 1920's flavour to them, reminiscent of the Flanagan brothers music. Perhaps aptly the music of this era has echoes of the economic hardship we face in 2013 as there’s a vibrancy of rhythm that is pervasive through adversity. There’s ‘hup’ or verve to this type of tune and Mick’s piano playing brings great life and sensitive rhythmic accompaniment to this set of barndances.

Séamus Mag Fhionnáin 1 & 2, Is ó fhidiléireacht Mhíchíl Ó Gormáin a fuair siad na poirt seo.  Ba mháistir ar an bhfidil é Séamus Mag Fhionnáin a mhair glúin roimh Cipín Ó Scanlúin,Ó Colmáin srl agus mhúin sé na ceoltóirí seo. Le linn saoil athair Shéamuis bhí clú ar a theaghlach mar cheann des na títhe ba mhó cáil do cheol ar fud na hÉireann. Fuair athair Sheamuis a lán dá chuid ceoil ónbhfidiléir dall, Tómas Ó hÉilí. Cuireann na rincí sciobóil seo na deartháireacha Ó Flanagáin sna fichidí i gcuimhne dúinn. Tá macalla ón trath sin i ndeacrachtaí an lae inniu. Bíonn neart agus fuinneamh misniúil na nÉireannach le feicéail i gcónaí nuair a bhíonn muid thíos. Tá preabaireacht sa saghas ceoil seo agus chuir Mícheál beocht agus rithim chun cinn ar an bpianó.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Jamsie Gannon's No. 1'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play A Part 'Jamsie Gannon's No. 1'

All Parts Together

Jamsie Gannon's no. 2 (Barndance) Traditional

Jamsie Gannon's 1 & 2 It was Michael Gorman's playing that brought these lovely tunes to Rónán and Irene. on their album Drumshanbows (2014). Jamsie was a fiddle master from near the very music area of  Gurteen, Co. Sligo who was a generation before Kipeen Scanlon, Coleman etc and had a hand in teaching those musicians. In Jamsie’s dad’s time the family home was regarded as one of the best open houses for music and lore in Ireland. Jamsie’s dad got much of his music from the blind fiddle player Thomas Haley. The two barndances have a 1920's flavour to them, reminiscent of the Flanagan brothers music. Perhaps aptly the music of this era has echoes of the economic hardship we face in 2013 as there’s a vibrancy of rhythm that is pervasive through adversity. There’s ‘hup’ or verve to this type of tune and Mick’s piano playing brings great life and sensitive rhythmic accompaniment to this set of barndances.

Séamus Mag Fhionnáin 1 & 2, Is ó fhidiléireacht Mhíchíl Ó Gormáin a fuair siad na poirt seo.  Ba mháistir ar an bhfidil é Séamus Mag Fhionnáin a mhair glúin roimh Cipín Ó Scanlúin,Ó Colmáin srl agus mhúin sé na ceoltóirí seo. Le linn saoil athair Shéamuis bhí clú ar a theaghlach mar cheann des na títhe ba mhó cáil do cheol ar fud na hÉireann. Fuair athair Sheamuis a lán dá chuid ceoil ónbhfidiléir dall, Tómas Ó hÉilí. Cuireann na rincí sciobóil seo na deartháireacha Ó Flanagáin sna fichidí i gcuimhne dúinn. Tá macalla ón trath sin i ndeacrachtaí an lae inniu. Bíonn neart agus fuinneamh misniúil na nÉireannach le feicéail i gcónaí nuair a bhíonn muid thíos. Tá preabaireacht sa saghas ceoil seo agus chuir Mícheál beocht agus rithim chun cinn ar an bpianó.

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Jamsie Gannon's No. 2'

Phrase 1 A Part 

Phrase 3 A Part 

All of A Part 

Learn to Play B Part 'Jamsie Gannon's No. 2'

Practice 'Jamsie Gannon's No. 2'

Francis John McGovern's (Reel) Traditional

4 Reels: Francis John McGovern The Hut in the Bog Rónán put this set together for the album and dropped both tunes down a fifth. He learnt the first tune, Francie John McGovern's Reel from Ben Lennon during chats, tunes and research in Ben's home in Rossinver in Co. Leitrim. Ben is a tasteful fiddle master and friend of Rónán and Irene's who has been very generous with his teaching over the years. On this recording they play the cross-bowing as is played by Ben who would have learnt the reel from Francis John. Francie John McGovern was a stone mason and talented musician from Aghoo, West Fermanagh, and married and settled in Kiltyclogher in North Leitrim. He was a tasteful whistle, flute player, fiddler and piper who enjoyed lilting while working and imparting much wisdom about the music and our musical history. The great fiddle master Brian Rooney, and celebrated singer Rosie Stewart also cites Francie John as a hugely important influence on their music. The Hut in the Bog was a favourite of the great flute player Packie Duignan's from Arigna, Co. Roscommon. In fact we started recording this album in 2011 in McRann's, a lovely spot for a quiet tune in Mount Allen and a music house where Packie played frequently. Packie passed away in 1992 and is remembered for his diaphragm driven rhythm and beautiful hearty phrasing.

4 Ríleanna: Proinsias Seán Mag Shamhráin An Both sa bPortach Chuir Rónán na ríleanna seo le chéile i gcóir an taifeadadh seo agus chuir muid thíos sa téad is ísle iad. D’fhoghlaim Rónán an ríl seo ó Bhen Ó Leannáin ina theach i Ros Inbhir,Co. Liatroma. Is máistir ceoil agus dlúth chara don bheirt acu é Ben a bhí fíor- flaithiúil lena chuid ceoil thar na blianta. Bhíodh oícheanta cheoil i dteach Ben agus é ag éirí aníos. Thagadh an-chuid ceoltóirí go dtí a theach, bhíodh Proinsias Seán Mag Shamhráin ann sách mhinic agus fuair Ben iliomad port uaidh. Ba saor cloiche é Proinsias Seán agus ceoltóir den scoth as Achadh, Fear Manach é. Sheinn sé an fheadóg, an fheadóg mhór, an fhidil agus na píobaí. Bhain sé taitneamh as a bheith ag portaireacht agus ag caint faoin ár gceol dúchasach le linn a chuid oibre. Bhí tionchar ag Proinsias Seán ar cheoltóirí cailiúla cosúil le Róis Stíobhard agus Brian Ó Ruanaidh. I measc na ríleanna is ansa le Pádraig Ó Duigeannáin ó Airgnigh,Ros Comáin ná ‘An Both sa bPortach’. Thosaigh ag taifead i dteach tábhairne Mhic Bhrain i Moin Aillionn, Ros Comáin i 2011, áit álainn, cúin atá sár-oiriúnach do cheol binn. Bhíodh Pádraig ag seinm ann go minic. Cailleadh é i 1992 agus cuimhnimid air mar cheoltóir bhreá croíúil a chuir míreanna deasa rithimiúla ina chuid frásaí cheoil. 

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'Francis John McGovern's Reel'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part 

Learn to Play B Part 'Francis John McGovern's Reel'

Practice 'Francis John McGovern's Reel'

The Hut in the Bog (Reel) Traditional

4 Reels: Francis John McGovern The Hut in the Bog Rónán put this set together for the album and dropped both tunes down a fifth. He learnt the first tune, Francie John McGovern's Reel from Ben Lennon during chats, tunes and research in Ben's home in Rossinver in Co. Leitrim. Ben is a tasteful fiddle master and friend of Rónán and Irene's who has been very generous with his teaching over the years. On this recording they play the cross-bowing as is played by Ben who would have learnt the reel from Francis John. Francie John McGovern was a stone mason and talented musician from Aghoo, West Fermanagh, and married and settled in Kiltyclogher in North Leitrim. He was a tasteful whistle, flute player, fiddler and piper who enjoyed lilting while working and imparting much wisdom about the music and our musical history. The great fiddle master Brian Rooney, and celebrated singer Rosie Stewart also cites Francie John as a hugely important influence on their music. The Hut in the Bog was a favourite of the great flute player Packie Duignan's from Arigna, Co. Roscommon. In fact we started recording this album in 2011 in McRann's, a lovely spot for a quiet tune in Mount Allen and a music house where Packie played frequently. Packie passed away in 1992 and is remembered for his diaphragm driven rhythm and beautiful hearty phrasing.

4 Ríleanna: Proinsias Seán Mag Shamhráin An Both sa bPortach Chuir Rónán na ríleanna seo le chéile i gcóir an taifeadadh seo agus chuir muid thíos sa téad is ísle iad. D’fhoghlaim Rónán an ríl seo ó Bhen Ó Leannáin ina theach i Ros Inbhir,Co. Liatroma. Is máistir ceoil agus dlúth chara don bheirt acu é Ben a bhí fíor- flaithiúil lena chuid ceoil thar na blianta. Bhíodh oícheanta cheoil i dteach Ben agus é ag éirí aníos. Thagadh an-chuid ceoltóirí go dtí a theach, bhíodh Proinsias Seán Mag Shamhráin ann sách mhinic agus fuair Ben iliomad port uaidh. Ba saor cloiche é Proinsias Seán agus ceoltóir den scoth as Achadh, Fear Manach é. Sheinn sé an fheadóg, an fheadóg mhór, an fhidil agus na píobaí. Bhain sé taitneamh as a bheith ag portaireacht agus ag caint faoin ár gceol dúchasach le linn a chuid oibre. Bhí tionchar ag Proinsias Seán ar cheoltóirí cailiúla cosúil le Róis Stíobhard agus Brian Ó Ruanaidh. I measc na ríleanna is ansa le Pádraig Ó Duigeannáin ó Airgnigh,Ros Comáin ná ‘An Both sa bPortach’. Thosaigh ag taifead i dteach tábhairne Mhic Bhrain i Moin Aillionn, Ros Comáin i 2011, áit álainn, cúin atá sár-oiriúnach do cheol binn. Bhíodh Pádraig ag seinm ann go minic. Cailleadh é i 1992 agus cuimhnimid air mar cheoltóir bhreá croíúil a chuir míreanna deasa rithimiúla ina chuid frásaí cheoil. 

View Sheet Music Here

Learn to Play A Part 'The Hut in the Bog'

Phrase 1 A Part

Phrase 3 A Part

All of A Part

Learn to Play B Part 'The Hut in the Bog'

Practice 'The Hut in the Bog'