Annotation:Dan Breen's Reel

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DAN BREEN'S REEL. AKA and see "Breen's," "Kevin Burke's," "Shepherd's Daughter (1) (The)." Irish, Reel. A Dorian. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. Kevin Burke recorded the tune as "The Shepherd's Daughter," an obviously influential recording as several recordings subsequently appeared with the tune under the title "Kevin Burke's." However, "Dan Breen's" appears to be similar to the tune "The Shepherd's Daughter" in only one part, leading perhaps to a confusion of titles. Dan Breen (1894-1969) was a member of the Irish Republican Army and participated in the ambush at Soloheadbeg, considered the first engagement of the Irish War of Independence. Two policemen were killed. He took part in further exploits, including the daring rescue of comrade Seán Hogan from a heavily guarded train in County Limerick. He was shot several times and severely wounded twice but survived the conflict. He was not pleased with the political settlement of the war, however, and fought in the unsuccessful civil war that followed. He was imprisoned for a time, but after a hunger strike he was released. Breen later went into politics and served for several decades in the Irish Parliament.

Source for notated version: flute player James Murray (b. 1947, Ougham, outside Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo) [Flaherty].

Printed sources: Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1974, vol. 1, No. 35. Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1990; p. 171. Tubridy (Irish Traditional Music, Book Two), 1999; p. 16. Vallely (Play Tin Whistle with the Armagh Pipers Club), vol. 3; 17.

Recorded sources: Green Linnet SIF-1109, Altan - "The Red Crow" (1990. Appears as "Breen's"). The Chieftains #1. Folan & Davey (appears as "Marice Lennon's"). See also listing at Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [1].

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