Francie Dearg’s polka

A gan ainm learned transcribed from the fiddling of Danny O‘Donnell. Here’s a small sample from the excellent ’notes’ to the CD “Bean Ag Baint Duilisc”, for track 4:

4. Gan Ainm / Connie Gallagher’s (Polkas)

“The polka was a common dance at one time in Donegal in the days of the house dances. A couple dance - requiring tunes of somewhat different character to the polkas of, for example. Sliagh Luachra (Cork/Kerry/Limerick border). Danny learned the first of these untitled tunes from Francie Dearg of Kilcar, the second from Killybegs fiddle player Connie Gallagher. Connie Gallagher in turn learned the tune from a now unknown musician from Sligo that he encountered at some point.”


Bless the Gallaghers, for warm hospitality, good humour, great music and dance, lovely people…