Annotation:Jack Maguire's Reel

Back to 

 JACK MAGUIRE'S REEL (Ríl Sheáin Mhig Uidhir). AKA and see "Noisy Curlew (The)," "Sherlock's Fancy," "Snake (The)." Irish, Reel. D Major. Standard tuning (fiddle). AABB'. David Taylor (1992) believes this to be a composition of "the largely un-acknowledged" Bronx fiddler John McGrath (1900-1955, originally from County Mayo), whom he maintains was the composer of many tunes in the 'traditional' repertoire or the arranger and popularizer of scores more. Caoimhin Mac Aoidh, however, maintains the tune was played by Donegal musicians in Glencolmcille during James Byrne's father's time, which may have predated McGrath. Mac Aoidh believes it may be possible that Bulmer & Sharpley's source, Sean McGuire, learned the tune in Donegal in the 1950's and 1960's. Flute, tinwhistle and piccolo player Jack McGuire, was fiddler Seán McGuire's/Maguire's father, from County Cavan.  Source for notated version: flute player Roger Sherlock (Co. Sligo, Ireland) [Breathnach]; Sean McGuire [Bulmer & Sharpley].  Printed sources: Breathnach (CRÉ III), 1985; No. 105, p. 53. Bulmer & Sharpley (Music from Ireland), vol. 2, 1974; No. 21 (appears as "Gan ainm/No title"). Flaherty (Trip to Sligo), 1994; p. 11. Taylor (Crossroads Dance), 1992; No. 10, p. 10.  Recorded sources: Inchecronin Records INC 7420, Roger Sherlock - "Memories of Sligo" (1978). Shaskeen - "The Mouse Behind the Dresser." Nimbus Records, Seamus Egan & Eileen Ivers - "Dear Old Erin's Isle" (appears as "The Noisy Curlew").  See also listing at: Alan Ng's Irishtune.info

Back to