The Noon Lassies reel

Submitted in response to a request.
This version is taken from Micheal McGoldrick’s Fused album.

A Fermanagh/south Tyrone fiddle tune related to Lord McDonald. See Ceol Rince na hEireann for a printed setting. Recorded by Randal Bays not long ago.

This tune is also on Sean Smyth’s “The Blue Fiddle.”

Lifted this tune from Conor Kean’s 1993 Tape, Cooley’s House.

It looks, to me, like a completely different tune to the East Clare I already found on this site?

There was some debate over the name, which might interest you, check it out here:
https://thesession.org/tunes/5060

Sorry Conor, of course this is how I should have spelt your surname - Keane!

It’s the Noon Lasses

Well spotted Dow - thanks!

No, it’s a Fermanagh tune! https://thesession.org/tunes/1729

I always think it’s going to be this tune when it comes up in the session. It sounds almost identical until the third part.

https://thesession.org/tunes/936

This well-known reel is on the Hidden Fermanagh CD Vol 2 and the book as “The Loon Lasses.” It’s not a typo!

Another similar reel called “The Boys of Portaferry” here: https://thesession.org/tunes/1436

There seems to be a few tunes which are inter-related. I was surprised to find an untitled reel in Oswald’s Caledonian Pocket Companion, Book 4 which is very close. Considering that book was published in 1745 I find it remarkable. I offer it as a setting. (X:2)

Nigel’s setting (no2) sounds to my ears like Britches full of Stitches (especially the 2nd part). Can’t imagine playing that part without phrasing like a polka !

You’re right, didier. So reminiscent of “Britches Full of Striches” and, to my mind, intriguing to think that an American version of “Lord MacDonald” is known as “Leather Britches”.

Looking for some help here… If anyone knows the chords (in G), please post!

A version transcribed from the album “Copley Street” by Nathan Gourley and Joe Abarta.

This is certainly a different tune from that which was originally posted; however, this is what The Teetotallers called this tune. I’m leaving it here for anyone who goes looking for it.

Is this the Martin Hayes version?

In tunes called “The <noun> Lass(i)es” the noun is usually a placename. I can’t find any place called Noon(e) anywhere in Ireland in Google maps, but, intriguingly, there is a place called “Noon’s Hole” in Co. Fermanagh.

Zooming in on it in satellite view, I sadly have to conclude that, even allowing for some depopulation over the last 150 years, it doesn’t look like somewhere that ever accommodated a very sustainable population of fair maidens.

Noon’s Hole
https://maps.app.goo.gl/YE3pwS6SeJ55WuqV7

“This well-known reel is on the Hidden Fermanagh CD Vol 2 and the book as ”The Loon Lasses.“ It’s not a typo!”
Posted by slainte above, 15 years ago.
“Hidden Fermanagh” has the source as “The Gunn Collection” which was “written down by John Gunn in the middle years of the 19th century”

Transcribed from the piping of Joey Abarta from the Copley Street Album with Nathan Gourley. Obviously open to interpretation but I quite enjoy this setting on the pipes.

….now with chords.

Love this tune a few variations added

My take