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The chord progression, Dm - C - F - C features heavily in many Irish and Scottish tunes, using the progression i VI III VII in d-minor scale.
Introduced to the band one practice session by Eoin, it became a firm favourite which we have built upon and included as one of the instrumental elements to our sets.

The tune gained widespread popularity in 1992 as one of the featured tracks in the blockbuster movie "Last of the Mohicans". The song is inspired by Scottish singer-songwriter Dougie MacLean's seminal track on his album "The Search" from 1990.

Paddy Reynolds - Bodhrán
Steve Maher - Banjo Ukulele
Eoin O' Dowd - Bouzouki
Dan Nickström - Guitar
Lauri - Guitar
Tommy Kaurila - Concertina
Brian Talty - Whistle
Cameron Ó Murchú - Guitar / Piano

Production - @abhartach
Recording and Studio Tech - Esa

HHFG - The Gael

This ballad is a bitter comment on the wars against Napoleon. Then, as now, the chief export of Ireland was its young men, who had to starve at home or become soldiers of fortune. The recruiting sergeant was a dreaded figure in those days, for if you accepted his shilling for a drink, you could be legally pressed into the army.

This powerful anti-war piece exists in many variants—all of them striking and memorable. It dates from the Napoleonic wars when thousands of young Irishmen became cannon fodder in the long struggle between the English and the French. Around the time of World War I, it was a popular marching song of the Irish Volunteers.

This version tells the horrors of a mother, whose son returns from the English Navy, minus his legs and his senses. He has suffered some form of post traumatic stress, which leaves him unable to speak coherently. The chorus is a reflection of the sons fragmented state of mind and his inability to talk without stuttering or meaning.

My Son Tim

Mo Mhúirnín Bán

Performed by Jim McKenna. 

Image: Castle in the Clouds, Moultonborough, New Hampshire, USA.  

Recorded April 13, 2004; Melville Park Studio, Boston. Steve Friedman, Engineer.  Remastered July 23, 2024; JEM Music Trust. 

Jim McKenna is a multi-instrumentalist & composer.  Members of Jim's family, Daniel McKenna and Ann Callahan, had emigrated to Boston during the Irish Famine (An Gorta Mór) in 1850 (Armagh) and 1852 (Cork) respectively.  Daniel McKenna and Ann Callahan were married in Boston (Charlestown) on October 1, 1854.  Daniel and his brother Neil were two of the five founding members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Boston (American Society of Hibernians) on March 17, 1857 (Incorporated March 27, 1861).  This organization was formed "for the purpose of rendering assistance to the sick and disabled members of their society, and also of providing for the decent burial of the dead".  Jim's great great uncle from Drumkeeran Ireland, Thomas McPartlin, performed traditional music on the banjo in Boston during the late 1800's.  Jim great great aunt, from County Cork, Bridget married Callahan Daniel Murphy in Boston Nov 5, 1876 at Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston.

Lark in the Clear Air (Live) · Hammered Dulcimer

Deep in the heart of Roscommon there is a cave called 'Oweynagat' (cave of the cats), which is commonly referred to as "Ireland's Gate to Hell". This was a particularly important site during the pagan festival of 'Samhain' (in modern times referred to as 'Halloween'), when to veil between this world and the 'otherworld' is at it's thinnest and evil spirits can pass freely into our realm.

OWEYNAGAT

Road to Lisdoonvarna Swallowtail Jig Kesh Jig

🎀 Reels and Ribbons – A lively dance of color and sound! 🎻✨

Step into a world of spinning skirts, flying feet, and dazzling melodies with this high-energy Irish dance tune. Fiery fiddles, lilting tin whistles, and driving bodhráns weave together like ribbons in the air, creating an unstoppable reel that twirls and leaps with joy. Every note is a swirl of movement, celebration, and pure Celtic spirit—whether you're dancing, dreaming, or just feeling the rhythm, this track will keep you on your toes. Press play and let the music spin you away!

Reels and Ribbons

🌪️ Whirlwind in the Glen – A Celtic storm of rhythm and melody! 🎻✨

Feel the unstoppable energy of this fast-paced Irish jig, where fiery fiddles, soaring tin whistles, and pounding bodhráns create a wild, swirling dance of sound. The music rushes like a gale through the glens of Ireland, lifting spirits and feet alike. With a pulse that won’t quit and melodies that twist and turn like the wind, this track is made for dancers, dreamers, and lovers of pure Irish tradition. Press play and get swept away!

Whirlwind in the Glen

🥾 The Merry Boots Jig – A foot-stomping Celtic celebration! 🎶✨

Lace up your boots and hit the dance floor—this jig is pure unstoppable joy! With fiery fiddles, lively tin whistles, and pounding bodhráns, this tune leaps and twirls with infectious energy. Every note sparks laughter, movement, and the spirit of an Irish gathering, where boots tap in perfect rhythm and the music never slows down. Whether you're dancing a rollicking jig or just feeling the pulse of the beat, this track is guaranteed to lift your spirits. Press play and let the merriment begin!

The Merry Boots Jig

Immerse yourself in the mist‑shrouded cliffs and rolling emerald hills of the Wild Atlantic Way with “Wild Atlantic Flow,” the latest single from Orla Callan. Ethereal vocals drift like sea spray over gentle harp glissandos, acoustic guitar ripples, and lush string arrangements - each note a loving tribute to Ireland’s timeless beauty and folklore. Let Orla’s voice carry you from the windswept shores of Moher to the secret coves of Galway Bay, where every chord echoes with history and hope.

Whether you’re a devoted fan of Irish folk or simply dreaming of green fields and salt‑kissed air, this track is your musical passport to the Emerald Isle. Hit play, follow Orla for more Celtic journeys, and share to bring a little bit of Ireland into your day. ☘️

#OrlaCallan #WildAtlanticFlow #IrishFolk #CelticMusic #EmeraldIsle #NewMusic #FolkVibes #SoundCloud #Ireland #HarpAndGuitar

Wild Atlantic Flow - An Irish Girl's Journey

The Helsinki Harps Folk Group is a collection of Irish and Finnish Musicians who play primarily Irish folk music, but with a few Finnish and other folk songs mixed in too. Their membership is constantly growing and changing as new musicians join in for their open performances that they regularly hold in Helsinki. This isn't a closed band, but a group who are always happy to collaborate with other musicians. Because of this, no two sessions are ever the same!

The Helsinki Harps Folk Group comes from all corners of Ireland. We bring a fusion of local traditions and styles to the reels, jigs, airs and ballads we play.

Our group also has Finnish players, who share a connection and love for the music of Ireland.

Our set includes Finnish songs with Irish melodies, instrumental polkas, reels and jigs as well as a few feats of lilting prowess which are sure to catch and keep the attention of a crowd.

I’m Orla Callan, a singer-songwriter from Dublin with a love for blending ethereal sounds, folk, and world music. Growing up with musician parents, music has always been my compass. I’m inspired by my Irish roots, travels, and the stories I find along the way. My songs are about exploring the world, embracing its beauty, and getting lost in the magic of sound.

Rooted in Trad - Growing with Folk - In with the New

Crafting immersive soundscapes that blend electronic rhythms with global influences, I create music that moves both the mind and the soul. Inspired by the pulse of different cultures, my compositions fuse deep atmospheres, cinematic melodies, and vibrant beats - taking listeners on a journey beyond borders.

From hypnotic synth waves to organic world instruments, every track tells a story, evoking emotions and inspiring creativity. Whether you're looking for an uplifting groove, a chill escape, or a soundtrack for your next adventure, you’ll find something here that resonates.

Hit play, explore, and let the music take you somewhere new.

🎧 Follow for fresh sounds and sonic journeys.

• Jim McKenna is a multi-instrumentalist & composer. 
• Members of Jim's family, Daniel McKenna and Ann Callahan, had emigrated to Boston during the Irish Famine (An Gorta Mór) in 1850 (Armagh) and 1852 (Ballygiblin, Cork) respectively.  Daniel McKenna and Ann Callahan were married in Boston (Charlestown) on October 1, 1854.  Daniel and his brother Neil were two of the five founding members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians in Boston (American Society of Hibernians) on March 17, 1857 (Incorporated March 27, 1861).  This organization was formed "for the purpose of rendering assistance to the sick and disabled members of their society, and also of providing for the decent burial of the dead".  Jim's great great uncle from Drumkeeran Ireland, Thomas McPartlin, performed traditional music on the banjo in Boston during the late 1800's. Jim great great aunt, from (Ballygiblin, Cork), Bridget married Daniel Murphy (Galway) in Boston Nov 5, 1876 at Holy Cross Cathedral, Boston.  
• November 7, 2017, Jim's performance of his composition "Lament for Bridget O'Donnel" was included in the soundtrack of the Kilkenny Famine Experience Memorial audio visual tour. 
• Composer of "Lament for the Forgotten Irish of Catholic Mount Auburn Cemetery" https://youtu.be/rJrdt-3zHmg
• Composer of "Lament for the Children of the Kilkenny Workhouse" https://youtu.be/Zj4nVq2H3wY 
• Composer of "Lament for Bridget O'Donnel: A Victim of Famine" https://youtu.be/ehhk2nMmMZU 
• Composer of "Lamento por los Niños en Jaulas" - "Lament for the Children in Cages" 
https://soundcloud.com/jimmckenna-uilleannpipes/lament-for-the-children-in-cages, et al.
• Dr. E. Moore Quinn wrote on the subject of the Irish Famine: "...a recently composed pipe lament by Jim McKenna entitled, 'Bridget O‘Donnel: A Victim of Famine'.  The latter decries the interlocking set of awful truths that existed behind the journalists' reports and images that were published in the mid-19th century about the Famine.", The Many Voices of Pilgrimages and Reconciliation, Mansfield College, Oxford University, Publisher CABI (October 27, 2017).  | Pilgrimage in Practice: Narration, Reclamation and Healing (CABI, April 2018). Death within the Text | Social, Philosophical and Aesthetic Approaches to Literature (Cambridge Scholars Publishing, 2019).  A Human Rights Pilgrimage in Ireland: Commemorating the Doolough Tragedy in the Twenty-First Century (Inter-disciplinary Publications, Oxford, England, July 2015). 
• Jim's composition "Lament for Bridget O'Donnel" used for soundtrack in promotional ad for "The Great Famine Podcast Series" 
• Performed at the 2016, 2017, 2018 & 2019 Mother's Day Walk for Peace, Louise D. Brown Peace Institute,
Code Listen, Boston 
• 100 Thousand Poets & Musicians 2014, Exeter New Hampshire 
• Boston Celtic Music Festival (BCMFest) 2006 
• Folk Song Society of Greater Boston Annual Concerts 
• Irish Christmas Mass, St. Augustine Chapel, South Boston, Massachusetts
• Irish Connections Festival (Singers' Circle) & St. Brigid Festival, Irish Cultural Centre, Canton, Massachusetts 
• January 2, 2020; arranged & performed Alex Brewer's "The Rose of Saratoga" on Alex's album "Unquoted."

#Composer/Pianist/harpist

Music has got me through some tough days. Let me help you through your dark days, listen at full volume, (glass of Sauvignon optional 😂)
Catch more on Spotify at the link below 🥰Put me on shuffle 
https://linktr.ee/libby_mc_crory
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New tracks tagged #traditionalirish