Curragh Races (1)

 CURRAGH RACES [1], THE ("Coimleanga'n Curraig," "Rásaí an Churraigh" or "Reata An Curaig"). AKA and see "Bearrchaile sa gCrann Silini (An)," "Coleman's Fancy," "Hare in the Corn (7)," "Humors of Old Knockaney (The)," "Maid in the Cherry Tree (3) (The)," "Mick Flaherty's." Irish, Reel. A Dorian (most versions): E Minor (O'Neill/Waifs and Strays): G Minor (Breathnach/CRÉ I): G Dorian (CRÉ V). Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (Mulvivhill, O'Neill): AABB (Breathnach/CRÉ V): AA'BB (Mitchell). Curragh, Kildare, is the home of Irish horse racing. The track is owned and administered by the Turf Club, the Irish racing authority. The name stems from the Irish Gaelic word cuireach, meaning 'place of the running horses' or 'race course', and horse races (in the form of chariot races) were said to have been held at Curragh since the 3rd century A.D. Match races were common at the site in the subsequent centuries. One such event at the Curragh, in 1634, records that the Earl of Ormond's horse beat Lord Digby's horse over a four mile course. The was even a full-time Ranger appointed for the Curragh, Simon Allen, from 1687-1688. Modern horse racing at the site dates from 1741 when a racecourse was laid out. A Society of the Sportsmen of the Curragh, formed in 1750, was the basis for the later Turf Club. Editor Jackie Small (CRÉ V) says the tune is "related to 'O'Dowd's Favourtie,' in Michael Coleman's version." See also the related Scottish tune "Highland Man that Kissed His Grannie (1)." "Mick Flaherty's" is a version in the key of E Dorian. Sources for notated versions: fiddler John McFadden (Chicago) [O'Neill]; piper Willie Clancy (1918-1973, Miltown Malbay, west Clare) [Mitchell]; Pipers Club Ceile Band [Mulvihill]; fiddler Tom Barrett (Listowel, County Kerry) [Breathnach, CRÉ V]. Printed source: Breathnach (CRÉ I), 1963; No. 103. Breathnach (CRÉ V), 1999; No. 154, p. 76. Mitchell (Dance Music of Willie Clancy), 1993; No. 116, p. 97. Mulvihill (1st Collection), 1986; No. 15, p. 4. O'Neill (O'Neill's Irish Music), 1915; No. 271, pg. 138. O'Neill (Krassen), 1976; p. 110. O'Neill (Music of Ireland: 1850 Melodies), 1903; No. 1276, p. 240. O'Neill (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems), 1907; No. 544, p. 101. O'Neill (Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody), No. 285.

Recorded sources: See also listing at: Alan Ng's Irishtune.info. X:2 T:Curragh Races [1] M:C| L:1/8 R:Single Reel S:Patrick Ourceau workshop - Catskills 10/03 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:Ador e(A{d}cA) e(A{d}cA) | G2 B(G d)(GB)d | e(A{d}cA) e(A{d}cA) | dBG(A B)A A2 | e(A{d}cA) e(A{d}cA) | G2 B(G d)(GB)d | ~c3A ~B3(c | d)BG(A B)A A || B | ~c2 e(c g)(ce)c | ~c2 ec dBGB | ~c2 ec gcec | dBGA BA A2 | ~c2 ec gcec | ~c2 ec dBGB | ~c3A ~B3c | dBGA BA A2 ||

X:1 T:Curragh Races, The [1] M:C| L:1/8 R:Reel S:O'Neill - Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems (1907), No. 544 Z:AK/Fiddler's Companion K:Amin a|e2 (3cBA eA (3cBA|G2 Bc dBGg|eA (3cBA e^fge|dBGB cAAa|eA (3cBA eA (3cBA| G2 Bc dBGB|cBcA B2 ge|dBGB cA A||B|(3cdc ec gcec|(3cdc ge dBGB|(3cdc ec gcec| dBGB {d}cAAB|(3cdc ec gcef|(3gag ge dBGB|cBcA B2 ge|dBGB cA A||

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