Annotation:Donegal Reel (1)
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DONEGAL REEL (1) (Ríl Dhún na nGall). AKA - "The Donegal." AKA and see "Antrim Reel," "Delvin Side," "Miss Brown's Fancy [1]," "Miss Brown's Reel," "Úna Bean Uí Chuinneagáin." Irish, Reel. Ireland, County Sligo, Donegal. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB. The tune is known in County Donegal as "Una Bhain Ni Chuinneagain." The name Donegal is Gaelic for 'castle of the strangers.' O'Neill (1922) says about his source: "It may be remarked that Mr. Dunne was a farmer of the townland of Kilbraugh not far from Thurles, Tipperary. From his wonderful repertory of dance tunes, generously contributed some years ago, many have been selected." Peter Kennedy finds related tunes in the "My Love is Fair and Handsome [1]," "I Wish I Never Saw You," "Magic Slipper [1]." tune family. Randy Miller (2006) notes the tune resembles "Miss Brown's," "a reel familiar to 19th century New Hampshire and western Massachusetts fiddlers." See also the similar first part of "The Fantastic Reel."
Sources for notated versions: the Patrick Dunne manuscript [O'Neill]; Seán McGuire with the Four Star Quartet [Miller & Perron]; fiddler Kathleen Morris (Corlisheen, Ballyrush, Co. Sligo) [Flaherty]; set dance music recorded live at Na Píobairí Uilleann, mid-1980's [Taylor].
Printed sources: Allan's Irish Fiddler, No. 66, p. 17. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; p. 58. Kennedy (Traditional Dance Music of Britain and Ireland: Reels and Rants), 1997; No. 36, p. 11. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 1977; vol. 3, No. 44. Miller & Perron (Irish Traditional Fiddle Music), 2nd Edition, 2006; p. 63. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 41, p. 127. O'Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), 1922; No. 247. Ryan's Mammoth Collection, 1883; p. 37. Taylor (Music for the Sets: Yellow Book), 1995; p. 20.
Recorded sources: Atlantic Music ATLD 0193, Howie MacDonald - "The Celidh Trail" (1993). Atlantica Music 02 77657 50222 26, Howie MacDonald - "Atlantic Fiddles" (1994). Avoca 139, Sean Magurie-- "Music of Ireland." Coleman Music Center CHC 009, fiddlers Johnny Henry & Joe Dowd - "The Coleman Archive, vol. 2: The Home Place" (2005. Various artists). Flying Fish FF089, The Red Clay Ramblers - "Chuckin' the Frizz" (1979). Philo FI 2018, "Jean Carignan Plays the Music of Coleman, Morrison & Skinner." See also listings at: Alan Snyder's Cape Breton Fiddle Recording Index [1], Jane Keefer's Folk Music Index: An Index to Recorded Sources [2], Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [3].
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