Annotation:Shepherd's Daughter (3) (The)

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X:1 T:Shepherd’s Daughter [3], The L:1/8 M:3/4 K:F DE|FG A2 FG|AB c2 Ac|dAcA GF|GF D2 DE|F2 FGAA| d2 dedc|dAcA GA|F4 FD|C2 AGFD|F2 AB c2|C2 FAGF| GF D2 DE|F2 FG AA|d2 dedc|dAcA GA|F4||



SHEPHERD'S DAUGHTER [3], THE. Irish, Slow Air (3/4 time). D Minor. Standard tuning (fiddle). One part. Source McCartney (1842-1908) was a professional piper who was the subject of a brief sketch by Francis O’Neill, who gave his name as McCarthy. Originally from County Cavan, McCartney also lived for periods in Carrickmacross, Dundalk and Ardee. He came from a family of pipers; his father and four brothers and an uncle played, although George, who was lame, was instructed by the famous piper and pipemaker Billy Taylor in Drogheda. He played a double chanter on a set of fine silver-mounted pipes made by his teacher, but like many an old professional musician, he died in the poorhouse in Ardee at around the age 65. O'Neill records:

No name has appeared so frequently in the list of prize-winners at Dublin Feiseanna as that of George McCarthy. In the years 1900, 1902, 1904 and 1905 he was awarded second prize. In 1903, he was not so fortunate, getting but third prize. To crown his successes he gained first prize in 1907, and from the records it appears that in 1900 he was also awarded third prize for his collection of "Unpublished Irish Airs."[1]

McCarthy was also recommended by the Feis Ceoil adjudicators for his "Ancient Hill of Slane." After McCartney's death the Taylor pipes went to Belfast piper and pipe maker R.L. O'Meally, for twenty pounds. O'Neill corresponded with and esteemed O'Meally's playing and said that he "could appreciate the value" of the pipe set.


Additional notes
Source for notated version : - George McCartney (County Cavan, Ireland) [Darley & McCall].

Printed sources : - Darley & McCall (Feis Ceóil Collection of Irish Music), 1914; No. 21, p. 9.






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  1. Francis O'Neill, Irish Minstrels and Musicians, 1913, pp. 296-7.