Annotation:Centenary March (The)

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 CENTENARY MARCH, THE. AKA and see "St. Patrick's," "St. Patrick's March." Irish, March (2/4 time). D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AB. Sean Maguire's recording of the melody popularized this tune for Ceili band sessions. However, it apparently was composed by one Arthur Kearney from Drumquin, County Tyrone, according to his grand-daughter Emma O'Neill, to commemorate the Christian Brothers having been in Omagh for 100 years. The march has become quite popular with East Anglia trad. musicians as well as elsewhere in Britain, according to Barry Callaghan (2007). The 'A' part has melodic similarities to that of "Bonaparte Crossing the Rhine (1)," "Comhra Donn (An)" and "Caledonian March," and can be found in the British Isles and North America as well as Ireland. Source for notated version: Printed sources: Callaghan (Hardcore English), 2007; p. 31. O'Brien (The Golden Eagle). Sullivan (Dublin Banjos). Recorded sources: Old Hat Music OH!02, "Old Hat Dance Band" (1992). Outlet OLP 1001, Tom McHaile (1969). Outlet SOLP 1031, Sean Maguire (1977). Gallowglass Ceili Band.

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