In my continuing effort to study O'Carolan's works, I've found another gem of a melody, #171 in his notated songs from Donal O'Sullivan's biography Carolan,The Life, Times, and Music of an Irish Harper; and tabbed nicely in Ron Hughes O'Carolan for the 5 String Banjo book.

Just having fun remembering words learned long ago.

This was Carolan's first composition at age 21, blinded since 18 years old, and embarking for the first time on his journey as an itinerant harper. The squire at his first stop suggested he compose a song about two neighboring hills where two fairy hosts had battled. Carolan's genius for writing was thus born.

This was Carolan's first composition at age 21, blinded since 18 years old, and embarking for the first time on his journey as an itinerant harper. The squire at his first stop suggested he compose a song about two neighboring hills where two fairy hosts had battled. Carolan's genius for writing was thus born.

The second air is played first, the first air is known as a drinking song. The Irish people must have enjoyed their get-togethers!

Irish reel played on the 5 string banjo - GDGCD tuning - capo 2nd fret, 5th string capo 7th fret - for key of Am - Recorded with a Zoom H2 into a laptop

Originally learned clawhammer from John Burke's Book of Old Time Fiddle Tunes for Banjo, now picked 3-finger style.

Learned from the fiddling of Rafe Stefanini.

The web tells me that this traditional sounding tune is composed and credited to Davey Arthur - Dublin born but now living in Edinburgh, Scotland. My variation has an added intro that i come back to midway to lead into a break - I play all the parts - recorded with a Zoom H2 into a laptop - ADGBD tuning - key of Dm

Traditional Irish Reel - Here I added a middle section where the tempo becomes half time to give it some variations - I played all the parts and recorded using a zoom H2 into my laptop