The Holly Bush reel

Also known as Finbarr Dwyer’s, Finbarr Dwyer’s 2, Finbarr Dwyer’s Reel No 1, Hollybush, The Hollybush, Matt The Thrasher, O’Dwyer’s, Vinnie O’Brien’s.

There are 65 recordings of a tune by this name.

A tune by this name has been recorded together with The Wise Maid (a few times), The Ivy Leaf (a few times), The Cameronian (a few times), Captain Kelly (a few times) and The Exile Of Erin (a few times).

The Holly Bush has been added to 44 tune sets.

The Holly Bush has been added to 441 tunebooks.

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Eight settings

X: 1
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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X: 2
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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X: 3
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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X: 4
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

M: 4/4
L: 1/8
K: Dmix
|:A2 FA DFAG|FAde fded|cG G2 EG G2|(3Bcd ed cAGc |
ADFA DFAG|FAde fded|cG G2 (3Bcd ed|cAGE D4:||
|:Add^c defg|adde dcAB|cG G2 (3Bcd eg|aged cAGc|
Add^c defg |adde dcAB|cG G2 (3Bcd ed|cAGE D4:||

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X: 5
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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X: 6
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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X: 7
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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X: 8
T: The Holly Bush
R: reel

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Twenty-three comments

The Holly Bush

This I understand is the first reel composed by that wonderful composer from Cork, Finbarr Dwyer. Finbarr plays the button accordian and is surely one of the all time greats. His compositions rate alongside those of Paddy Fahy, Ed Reavy, Paddy O’Brien and Sean Ryan.
Fiddlecase.

The Holly Bush

Martin Hayes plays this tune down a fourth, in A mixolydian, starting on an E note on the D string, and it sounds quite dramatic.

The Holly Bush

Try playing it in E. Loads more lively!

There’s a great version of this tune by Sean Potts on Drones & Chanters vol. 2.

The Holly Bush

A fantastic reel which sits nicely alongside other greats like Devanney’s Goat, Dick Sherlock’s, Fred Finn’s, Lady Anne, the Cameronian, etc (ie tunes with great melodies).

this is for me the coolest I’ve learned. I love this tune.

Finbarr Dwyer’s Original

Me and my brother spent the last two or three days learning the version Finbarr himself plays on an LP he released in the late 60/early 70s. It contrasts considerabely with todays more widely played version and is a version I may make an effort to resurrect. Finbarr plays it three times through so I’ve included all 3 repitions. His ornamentation is not included because 1) I don’t think we can adequately show ornamentation on sheet music and 2) I’m not a box player so I don’t really know what he is doing for certain. Anyway, check the post underneath.

The tune

If anybody wants to hear the originial version of "The Hollybush" as played solo by Finbarr Dwyer himself, send me an email. Thanks to either 52paddy or kenny, I have an MP3 of it, including him also Mary McMahon.

The Holly Bush

Here’s this tune played by Padraig Mc Govern (uilleann pipes), Sabina Mc Cague (fiddle), Melissa Mc Cague (fiddle), James Mc Govern (flute) and Seán Mc Elwain (guitar). It’s the 1st tune.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE8FDX3CaAQ

play video

The Holly Bush

Fun on the khene…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMgw9xI-OcY

play video

Contact Finbarr Dwyer

I have made a guitar adaptation of this tune and wand to contact Finbarr Dwyer (and the editor for this tune if any…) to ask the conditions for a publication. Can anybody help ?

The Prehistoric Piper

Unfortunately, no credit is given to Finbarr Dwyer for composing the tune, but here’s an interesting and humorous take on The Holly Bush. Be patient, the tune will come around sooner or later:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2UyP-9Vig1c

play video

Holly Bush

I don’t remember what version I learnt, but this is how I play the Holly Bush on the pipes.

Re: The Holly Bush

THIS is a great version and great pace and well played. Congrats Amy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-UMiXyOucM

play video

Re: The Holly Bush

And check out this lovely version from The Riley School of Irish Music. Jug of Punch plus Holly Bush…great flow and swing:

http://www.rileyirishmusic.com/mp3/Music2006/F02.mp3