The following are some samples of a portion of our wedding-appropriate repertoire. Please excuse the rough edges. Most of these samples were hastily recorded on a field recorder for the purpose of giving the wedding couple an idea of the tunes so they can make informed decisions about what they would like played during their wedding ceremony. Irish titles are given because some couples feel it is more appropriate to list these in the program than the English title.

Give Me Your Hand                                    Irish title:  Tabhair dom do Lámh
Composed by blind harper Ruaidhrí Dall Ó Catháin (c. 1570-1650). Among his visits to the houses of Scottish nobility, he is said to have called at Eglinton Castle, Ayrshire. Knowing he was a harper, but being unaware of his rank, Lady Eglinton commanded him to play a tune. Taking offence at her peremptory manner, Ó Catháin refused and left the castle. When she found out who her guest was her ladyship sought and effected a speedy reconciliation. Ó Catháin wrote this piece in honor of their reconciliation.

Inisheer                                                    Irish title:   Inis Oírr
Inis Oírr, meaning "east island," is the smallest and most eastern of the three Aran Islands in Galway Bay, Ireland. This melody was written by Thomas Walsh and is fit to the poem "On Inisheer" by Ethna Carberry (1866-1911), the last verse of which is:

King of the Faeries                                      Irish title:   Rí na Sideog
For those looking to add some mystical Celtic spice to their wedding, this haunting melody is perfect to accompany flower girls and bridesmaids down the aisle.

The Butterfly
This is a traditional slip jig (9/8 time) which we play at a moderately slow tempo.

Poll Ha'Penny                                         Irish title:   Maire Na Leat-Pingean
Another great selection for those wanting to create a bit of mystical ambiance. This is the dance version of the air "Molly MacAlpin," by the ancient harper Laurence O'Connellan, born at Cloonmahon, County Sligo, in the mid-17th century 

Southwind                                                Irish title:   An Ghaoth Aneas
The song associated with this tune is said to be composed by Domnhall Meirgeach Mac Con Mara, native of Irrul, County Mayo, however it is said that the melody was learned by musicians in County Clare who heard it from a ghost ship passing their coast, bringing home the souls of the Wild Geese, Irish exiles, who had been killed in battle.

Si Beag Si Mhor
This haunting yet playful air was probably the first composed by blind Irish harper Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738). The title (commonly pronounced "She Beg She Mor") means "little faerie hill, big faerie hill" and was inspired by local lore of the hills near Lough Scur, Co. Leitrim, which were said to be the seats of to opposing groups of faeries. These hosts engaged in a great battle, in which Finn McCool and his Fianna were defeated.

Planxty Irwin                                           Irish title:   Pleraca Iarbain
Turlough O'Carolan (1670-1738) is likely the most notable of Irish composers. Blinded by smallpox at the age of eighteen, he was apprenticed to a harper and by twenty-one he was traveling the countryside from patron to patron composing songs and performing for them in exchange for food and lodging. A planxty is a song composed in someone's honor. This selection was composed in honor of Colonel John Irwin (1680-1752) after returning from overseas war.

Planxty Fanny Powers                            Irish title:   Pleraca Fannidh Ni Paor
Also by Turlough O'Carolan, this song was composed for the wedding of Fanny (Frances) Powers, daughter and heiress of David and Elizabeth. In the text of the song, O'Carolan expresses his wish to dance at her wedding. A contemporary of Bach, O'Carolan's baroque compositions bridge the gap between the folk music of the commoners and art music of the gentry.

Planxty Hewlett                                       Irish title:   Sláinte Bhreagh Hiúlit
This tune has been attributed to Turlough O'Carolan, but the subject, Mr. Hewlett, has not been identified. This tune is often known by the English translation of the Irish title, "A Fine Toast to Hewlett!"