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The Big Reel Of Ballynacally reel

Also known as The Big Kerry, The Big Reel Of Ballinacally, The Big Reel Of Caligahoun, The Big Reel Of Callightown, The Big, Ril Mhor, Ril Mhor Bhaile An Chalaidh, Ríl Mhór Bhaile An Chalaidh, Ril Mhor Na Bhaile An Calaidh, Ril Mor.

There are 23 recordings of this tune.

This tune has been recorded together with

The Big Reel Of Ballynacally appears in 1 other tune collection.

The Big Reel Of Ballynacally has been added to 18 tune sets.

The Big Reel Of Ballynacally has been added to 205 tunebooks.

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Four settings

1
X: 1
T: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
|:DG (3GGG A2 dc|AGFG AGFG|DG (3GGG A2 dc|AGFG ~=F3 E|
DG (3GGG A2 dc|AGFG ABcA|~d3 e fd (3ddd|1 dedc AGGF:|2 dedc AGGA||
g2 dg (3ggg dg|(3ggg ag fdef|(3ggg fg ~a3 g|fdcA BGBd|
g2 fg a=f (3fff|=fgfd e2 ec|~d3 e fedc|1 AGFG AGGA:|2 AGFG AGGD||
# Added .
2
X: 2
T: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
DG~G2 A2dc|AG~G2 AGFA|DG~G2 A2dc|AdGE =F2EF|
DG~G2 A2dc|AG~G2 AGFA|d^cde ~f3d|1 cAFG AG~G2:|2 cAFG AGBd||
|:g2dg ~g2dg|~g2ag fd~d2|g2fg abag|fdcA BGBd|
g2fg a=ffe|=fgfd e2ce|~d3e ~f3d|1 cAFG AGBd:|2 cAFG AG~G2||
3
X: 3
T: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
|:DG G2 A2dc|AG G2 AGFA|DG G2 A2dc|AdGE =F2E^F|
DG G2 A2dc|AG G2 AGFA|d^cde f3d|1 cAFG AG G2:|2 cAFG AGBd||
|:g2dg g2dg|g2ag fd d2|g2fg abag|fdcA BGBd|
g2dg g2dg|g2ag fd d2|d3e f3d|1 cAFG AGBd:|2 cAFG AGG2||
# Added by JACKB .
4
X: 4
T: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally
R: reel
M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Gmaj
g2gf g2gf|gbag fdd2|g2fg abag|fdcA BGG2|
g2fg a=ff2|=fgfd e3^c|d2de fddc|AGFG AGFE|
DGFG A2dc|AGFG AGFE|DGFG A2dc|AGFG A3F|
DGFG A2dc|AGFG ABcA|d2de fdd^c|dedc AGGf|

Twelve comments

Big Reel of Ballynacally

Leave it to Solas to feature a simple tune with such a quirky twist--those Fnaturals in both halves--and then spice it up with artfully placed triplets and rolls. This version is based on Win Horan’s fiddling from Sunny Spells & Scattered Showers.

Posted .

Great tune!

I really like this tune. Those F naturals in the second part are great.

Big reel of ballynacally

this is also known as the big reel of caligahoun

Made famous in Scotland by “Silly Wizard” - probably 20 years before “Solas” even came into existence. O’Riada’s “pre-Chieftains” mixed it with “Callaghan’s”. It was often thought of and played as one 4-part tune, rather than 2 x 2 part tunes.

Posted by .

Sean O Riada and Ceoltoiri Chualann played a great version of Ril mor Bhaile an Chalaidh live at the O Riada sa Gaiety concert in 1969. Marvellous comical singing from the band as the tune ended. Showstopper.

Ril Mor Bhaile an Challaig

Recorded under the name Ril Mor Bhaile an Challaig by Sean o Riada agus Ceoltoiri Chualainn back in the 1960’s. Wonderful arrangement & played “at a lick”.

Re: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally

Does anybody have a recording by Silly Wizard?

The Big Reel Of Ballynacally, X:4

Based on Ceoltóirí Chualann rendition. Played ABAB etc. Baile An Chalaidh is a townland in the west of Corca Dhuibhne, in English, Ballincolla. As this reel is also known as the Big Kerry Reel, I rest my case.
A similar version is in B&S vol 1.40 (just above Cal Callaghan’s, another reel from the Kerry/W Cork area, which Ceoltóirí Chualann blend with this reel.)

Re: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally

This reel was performed “go bríomhar ealaíonta” in Ballincolla before the Great Hunger (1845-52) according to Tomás Mac Síthigh in “Paróiste an Fheirtéaraigh”. May I suggest “ The Big Reel of Ballinacolla” or better, “Ríl Mhór Bhaile an Chalaidh” for the title?

Re: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally

What’s the name of the reel that Ceoltóirí Chualann play after this one?

Re: The Big Reel Of Ballynacally

Please ignore my question, as I see it’s already been answered. The reel I was asking about is Cal O’Callaghan’s.