Annotation:Galtee Rangers (The)

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 GALTEE RANGERS, THE (Fiannóglaigh na nGeailtí). AKA - "Galty Rangers." AKA and see "Callaghan's Reel (1)," "Galtee Mountains (1)," "Humors of Galtymore (The)." Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB (most versions): AA'BB' (Harker/Rafferty). Fiddler Paddy Cronin recorded the tune under the title "Galtee Mountain." Galway flute player Mike Rafferty played the tune with Paddy's brother, fiddler Johnny Cronin, and sometimes called the tune after him. County Kerry fiddlers Denis Murphy and Julia Clifford both recorded the melody several times. As a result of the Cronin's and the Murphy/Clifford's playing, the tune has strong associations with County Kerry. Some similarities in parts to "Blackberry Blossom (The)." Currently a set of three reels is popular in the South-west of Ireland, recorded in various combinations by the famous Sliabh Luachra (Co. Kerry) fiddlers Julia Clifford, Denis Murphy and Padraig O'Keeffe. It consists of "Galtee Rangers," "Glountaine Reel (The)" and "Callaghans Reel (1)," and, says Paul de Grae, if you start "The Galtee Rangers" in a session, chances are that everyone will continue into the other two after it."    Sources for notated versions: fiddler Denis Murphy, 1966 (Gneeveguilla, Sliabh Luachra region, Co. Kerry, Ireland) [Breathnach, Bulmer & Sharpley]; New Jersey flute player Mike Rafferty, born in Ballinakill, Co. Galway, in 1926 [Harker].   Printed sources: Breathnach (CRÉ II), 1976; No. 201, p. 104. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), 1976, vol. 3, No. 22. Harker (300 Tunes from Mike Rafferty), 2005; No. 101, p. 31. Roche (Collection of Irish Traditional Music), 1927, vol. 3; No. 84, p 26 (appears as "The Galty Rangers").    Recorded sources: GN1, Joe Thoma, "Up the Track: Traditional Music from Kenmare." Tara Records 3001, Planxty - "After the Break" (appears as "Callaghan's" with Denis Murphy credited as the source). Claddagh CC5, Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford - "The Star above the Garter" (1969)  See also listing at: Alan Ng's Irishtune.info

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