LAUNCHING (OF) THE BOAT (Saithead a' Bháid). Irish, Reel (4/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AA'BB'. "Saithead a' Bháid" (Launching of the Boat) was composed by County Donegal fiddler Francie Dearg O Beirn of Kilcar. According to Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, O Beirn did not take credit for his compositions, and it was only after his passing that his wife and son confirmed the fact. Dearg even supplied the 'folklore', writes Mac Aoidh, that it was a traditional tune for boat launching in Kilcar harbour, and that the fiddler was sat upon a keg of poitín on the boat while it was launched.
Additional notes
Printed sources : - Fiddler Magazine, vol. 22, No. 4, Winter 2015-16; p. 41. David J. Taylor (Karen Tweed's Irish Choice), 1994; 20.
Recorded sources : - DMPCD9401, Karen Tweed - "Drops of Springwater" (1995). Kells Music KM 9507, Dervish - "At the End of the Day" (1996). Shanachie 78052, Tommy Peoples - "Waiting for a Call" (2003).
See also listing at : Alan Ng's Irishtune.info [1]
