28 Sept 2025

Macdara Ó Faoláin (Nuadan) - Collected Tabs

Macdara Ó Faoláin is a bouzouki‑player, multi‑instrumentalist and luthier from An Rinn, Co. Waterford. wlrfm.com+3The Irish News+3returntolondontown.org+3 

He is known for his innovative accompaniment style in Irish traditional music, combining deep harmonic awareness and delicate technique. The Irish News+3returntolondontown.org+3folkandroots.co.uk+3 

Mcdara has recorded and performed with many leading artists including Nuadan, Cormac McCarthy, The Friel Sisters, Derek Hickey and Nell Ní Chróinín. folkandroots.co.uk+3The Irish News+3Macdara Ó Faoláin+3 

As a native speaker of Irish, he also writes songs in Irish and builds instruments (mainly bouzoukis & mandolins), helping to sustain and evolve the tradition. The Irish News+2returntolondontown.org+2 

(written by chatgpt)

Here's a list of my Tabs:

- The Beautiful Goldfinch (Nuadan)

- The Muskerry Tram (Nuadan)

- The Stone Of Destiny (Nuadan)

- The Hills Of Larraga (with Oisin Morrison)




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Donal Lunny - Collected Tabs

 Here you find a list of tabs I made of Donal Lunny's accompaniments.

Intro to unknown Jig


You Lovers All (Frank Harte & Donal Lunny)








My friend chatgpt wrote a little text for me:

Dónal Lunny (born 10 March 1947, Tullamore, County Offaly, Ireland) is a seminal figure in Irish traditional music—renowned as a bouzouki player, guitarist, composer, and producer. CFA Creative Futures Academy+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3

He was a founding member of several landmark bands, including Planxty, The Bothy Band, Moving Hearts, Coolfin, and Mozaik. CFA Creative Futures Academy+3Wikipedia+3Wikipedia+3 Lunny is widely credited with introducing and popularizing the flat‑backed Irish bouzouki—modifying its design (via luthiers such as Peter Abnett) to suit the demands of Irish folk accompaniment. Wikipedia+2The Irish Post+2

Beyond instrument performance, he has worked as a producer and arranger, collaborating with both Irish traditional and international artists, continuously innovating across decades. allcelticmusic.com+2Wikipedia+2


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Donal Clancy - Collected Tabs

The Maid On The Green






Dónal Clancy is one of the finest guitarists in Irish traditional music today. Raised in An Rinn, County Waterford, he comes from a legendary musical family—his father was none other than Liam Clancy of The Clancy Brothers & Tommy Makem.

Dónal began playing guitar at an early age and developed a style that blends technical precision with deep musical sensitivity. He was member of the acclaimed group Danú and has performed with The Chieftains, Eileen Ivers (Riverdance), and the Máirtín O’Connor Trio, among others.

In addition to guitar, Clancy plays bouzouki, mandolin, and other stringed instruments. His solo albums combine traditional ballads with elegant arrangements and modern virtuosity.

Through his music, he not only preserves his family’s rich musical heritage—he continues to shape and expand it.

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Brian Miller - Collected Tabs

Here's a list of the tabs I made of accompaniments by Brian Millar.


John McCormick & Mary Vanorny with Brian Miller - In The Tap Room

 Lillies In The Field

The Black Haired Lass

Bag of Spuds


Brian Miller hails from Bemidji, in northern Minnesota. He developed a deep connection to Irish music early in life and has become known as a singer, guitarist, and bouzouki player dedicated to reviving traditional songs from the Great Lakes region—especially ballads once sung in lumber camps, aboard ships, and along the railroads.

Brian has performed with several notable groups, including Bua, Two Tap Trio, Chulrua, and the Máirtín de Cógáin Project. He is also an experienced educator and has taught for many years at institutions such as the Center for Irish Music in Minnesota.

His duo project The Lost Forty, with Randy Gosa, focuses on uncovering and performing Irish-influenced folk songs from the northern U.S., combining music with rich historical storytelling and cultural context.

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What are you looking for? - Click here for tips


If you are looking for particular items you might look here:


Chords:

Chord Charts:


Tabs:

- Donal Clancy

- Daoiri Farrell

- Alec Finn

- Matt Heaton

Donal Lunny 

- Brian Miller

- Alan Murray

- Macdara O'Faoláin

- Eoin O'Neill


Books

Tunebooks

Videos of full concerts

CDs, Vinyl or Downloads

Finger Practice Exercises



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Daoiri Farrell - Collected Tabs











Over the years, I have collected several tabs and chord sheets from Daoiri Farrell. Over the last 10 years, he has undoubtedly become one of Ireland's most influential singers. I first met him in 2011 at a weekend workshop and was impressed by his manner and musicality. At the time, he was still relatively unknown and had just released his first CD, which I had to purchase immediately. I still have a video of him playing my bouzouki from Heiner Dreizehnter and singing the song ‘Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore’. I had requested this song because he had sung it at the ceilidh the night before. You can also find this video on YouTube.

Here are the links to my tabs:

The Creggan White Hare

The Galway Shawl

Paddy's Green Shamrock Shore and here

Sweet Portadown

Boozin'

Blackwaterside / New Tabs!

The Wedding Above In Glencree

Tipping It Up To Nancy

Windmills

Bogie's Bonnie Belle

Galway Girl

John O'Dreams

The Galway Shawl - Intro and chords

A Pint Of Plain

Pat Rainey

McShane

Biddy Mulligan

The Mickey Dam



Here's a link to a concert I filmed with his Trio in 2019


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27 Sept 2025

Danny Diamond (fiddle) & Brian Miller (bouzouki) live at ‪@TheCelticJunction‬ , September 2024

Brian Millar is a musician based in St. Paul, Minnesota, known for his deeply rooted work in Irish traditional music. Originally from Bemidji, he fell in love with Irish sounds as a teenager at the Winnipeg Folk Festival and has since developed a rich career as a guitarist, bouzouki player, singer, and multi‐instrumentalist. 

He has played with bands such as Bua, The Two Tap Trio, and in recent projects like The Lost Forty (with Randy Gosa), bringing to light song traditions from the Great Lakes region and lumber camps. Miller also teaches Irish music, and his accompaniment style—especially on guitar and bouzouki—is admired for its intricacy, drive, and deep sense of tradition.

His website


Danny and Brian play some Reels: Paddy Fahy's / The humours of Carrigaholt / Felie's Fancy (comp. Arty McGlynn) / The Grand Canal


Another set of Reels: 



25 Sept 2025

 ‘A que por muy gran fermosura’ is the title of Cantiga 384 from the Cantigas de Santa María, a collection of songs praising the Virgin Mary written during the reign of Alfonso X the Wise. This cantiga tells the story of a devout monk who wrote the name of Saint Mary in three colours to honour her great beauty, and how the Virgin appeared to him in a dream to thank him. 


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The tab is in the video. I tabbed it with Tabledit. If you like you can download it here


Bouzouki Workshops with Luke Ward - The Blacksmith - Andy Irvine's Version


Some time ago, I reported on the workshops that Luke Ward offers on Patreon. He offers two different series, one for beginners and a second for advanced players. He publishes a workshop twice a month. So far, he has devoted himself to various topics related to accompanying tunes. Mainly accompaniment in different keys. 

Now he has turned his attention to accompanying the song “The Blacksmith” in Andy Irvine's version. He sticks pretty closely to the version Andy plays live. He shows the intro and the accompaniment for the verses. Of course, there is also tablature for it. 

So if you've been hesitating to sign up, now there's one more important reason to do so. It's worth it!

Here's the link!

Here's a little excerpt of the tab, hope Luke doesn't mind.



Online Bouzouki Workshop: Less is More: Tasty Accompaniment Suggestions for Bouzouki and Guitar with Randy Clepper, Oktober 02, 2025

 

On Thursday, October 02,2025 there will be an online workshop for Bouzouki with Randy Clepper. 

If you want to improve your bouzouki playing or expand your possibilities, you should definitely sign up. 

Payment is based on the principle of pay what you can. The default amount is $25.50, but you are free to choose any amount you like. 

Perhaps you shouldn't just choose $1, because then there is a possibility that such workshops might not be able to take place in the future. 

You can enroll here or just click on the picture on the left.


And by the way, if you play any other instrument, there are lots more workshops on offer here.


Here's the announcement from the website:

Strumming away at chords certainly has its place, but there’s a whole gamut of options that can be employed in Irish music accompaniment. We’ll explore a palette of ideas including partial chords, countermelodies, how melodies inform accompaniment, rhythmic choices including minimal (the oft-quoted “music is the space between the notes” can be applied to accompaniment as well as to melodies). Demonstrations will be primarily on the bouzouki but the concepts apply to guitar and other forms of accompaniment. Instructor: Randy Clepper

Who's this for: Bouzouki, guitar, other accompaniment instruments

Level: Advanced Beginners/Intermediate/Advanced Will this class be taught by ear, with sheet music, or both? By ear Cost: Pay what it's worth to you. (The checkout page defaults to $25, but that's not the suggested price...choose what works for you. Thanks!)

Video: Registered students will receive the class recording immediately after the class, so feel free to sign up even if you can't attend live. ___________________________________________________________________ Instructor bio: Randy Clepper is an in-demand player of the Irish bouzouki, guitar, and tenor banjo. He performs and tours regularly with several artists including fiddler Bella Issakova and fingerstyle guitarist John Sherman. Randy performs and teaches at festivals around the country and has been called upon to accompany many well-known traditional players. Randy also hosts the popular Trad Nua Celtic concert series at Natalie's Live Music in Columbus, Ohio, where he has featured many of the scene’s finest traditional touring acts. Check out Randy's work here: www.randyclepper.com

24 Sept 2025

Danny Diamond & Brian Miller - Live (UCC TradSoc Lunchtime Concert, 29th of March 2023)


A concert of Danny Diamond (Fiddle) and Brian Millar (Guitar, Bouzouki) which was available only on Facebook until now.

Here's a bit of information which I had asked AI to write for me:

UCC TradSoc is University College Cork’s Traditional Music Society, bringing students together through Irish music, song, and dance. Open to all skill levels, they host weekly concerts, pub sessions, and workshops throughout the year. 

Their highlight event is TradFest, a lively annual festival featuring gigs, lectures, and session trails. The society also promotes Irish music globally, with performances in countries like Malaysia and South Africa

Whether you're a musician or just love the tunes, TradSoc offers a warm, welcoming space to celebrate Ireland’s living musical tradition.


Daoiri Farrell - The Mickey Dam Lyrics and Chords

 One of the first songs I ever heard Daoiri sing back in 2011. I had heard the song before from a Duo at Irish Folk Festival some time ago but don't remember the names of the two singers.

First a video of Daoiri, I think it's from 2013 made in Elmstein, Germany.


A live version from around 2001, only audio.


A live version with his trio I filmed in Pforzheim, Germany in 2019




{t:The Mickey Dam}

{st:Daoiri Farrell Version}

No capo

Daoiri: nur D 7050 und C 7500 je 2Takte In Str. 1


I’m an [D]honest Irish Laborer and I [G]came from the County Clare

I [D]always had a little farm with [G]nothin left to spare

I [D]had to sell me donkey and me [G]famous billy goat

And [D]with the money I received, to [C]Glasgow took the boat


In the [D]morning, when I landed there, be[G]fore me hair got [C\G]dry

I was [D5]started [C]at the [G]Micky [D/A]Dam in a [C]place they [D/A]called Mull [D5]Guy

And the [D5]ganger that I started with, they [C]call him [G/B]John the [C]Mouse

And the [D5]very first [C]day that [G/B]I got [D/A]there, at [C]me he’d [G/B]start to [G]grouse


Well, I [D]quickly did surprise him and I [G]said, „“You little [C\G]rat.

I’ll [D5]tie a [C]string a[G/B]round you’re [G]neck and [Dsus4/A]toss you to the cat““

For I’m [D5]strong as any lion. I was [G]reared on eggs and [C\G]ham

I’m a [D5]terror [C]to all [G/B]fighting’ [D/A]man a[C]round the [D/A]Micky [D5]Dam


Well, this roused the mouse’s temper and at me he made to jump.

And he swore he’d paralyze me with the handle of a pump

But, I quickly surprised him and I grabbed him by the throat

And I shook that ugly monkey ’til the tail fell off his coat


{soc}

For I’m [D5]strong as any lion. I was [G]reared on eggs and [C\G]ham

I’m a [D5]terror [C]to all [G/B]fighting’ [D/A]man a[C]round the [D/A]Micky [D5]Dam

{eoc}



Well, the big hotels we’re stopping at, they call them navies huts

And the fleas and bugs that are in the bed are as big as coconuts

Of a Saturday night, when I get home, I stands behind the door

And as they come out, one by one, I bashed them to the floor


For I’m as strong as any lion. I was reared on eggs and ham

I’m a terror to all fighting me around the Micky Dam




Chords:
D5: 7,0,5,0
G/D: 7,5,0,0
G: 0,5,5,0
C/G: 0,2,3,0
C: 5,5,0,0 or 5,5,3,0
G/B: 4,5,0,0
D/A: 2,0,0,0
Dsus4/A (or A7?): 2,5,0,0 (A chord Daoiri uses often to lead from A to D)

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23 Sept 2025

Andy Irvine with Kevin Burke & Mícheál Ó Domhnaill - Santa Barbara, California - 1984-02-21

 What a gem! I don't think there a many video recordings of Andy from that time. Here's one hour of Andy solo and with Kevin Burke and Mícheál Ó Domhnaill. Once again thanks to AndyFanblock page on YouTube who collects videos of Andy.


Andy Irvine & Paul Brady - 40th Anniversary Concert, Vicar St. Dublin

 A newly posted video on the Andy Irvine Fanblock on YouTube. What a concert it was!


22 Sept 2025

Daoiri Farrell - Biddy Mulligan - Tab and Chords


Another lovely song of Daoiri's repertoire.
This is what AI knows about the song:
"Biddy Mulligan" is a folk tune composed by Seamas Kavanagh in the 1930s. It honors the lively personality of a street vendor from the Coombe area in Dublin. The song paints a picture of a woman who makes a living selling things like fruit, nuts, and used clothing, and it emphasizes her strength and sense of pride in her working-class roots. It also stands as a cultural companion to the better-known Dublin ballad, "Molly Malone."



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19 Sept 2025

David Tennille - How to play Bouzouki

 


Just found this little boob while searching Amazon. The reviews are really bad. Does anybody know more about it? The index looks ok, but the misspelling on the cover???
If you maybe have it it would be nice if you'd comment and tell about it.






Alan Finn & Fionn O' Hanlon (UCC TradSoc Lunchtime Concerts, 5th of April 2023)

 The UCC TradSoc Lunchtime Concerts take place regularly and offer great concerts. Here is a concert with Alan Finn & Fionn O' Hanlon (Fiddle and Bouzouki)



Here's Simon Crehan and Fionn O'Hanlon at Crowleys Music Centre 




'Twas Many a Wild Night, a CD by Alan Finn, Joanne Quirke, Paul Clesham & Fionn O' Hanlon

 


By chance I came across this CD on bandcamp a few months ago but forgot to mention it here on the blog. Fine bouzouki playing here. I especially like the polkas and slides.

I asked chatgpt to write a short text about the musicians, here's what came out (hope the information is correct ;)

Alan Finn, Joanne Quirke, Paul Clesham & Fionn O’Hanlon

This quartet brings together four of Ireland’s finest young traditional musicians, each with deep roots in the music of their home counties.

Alan Finn (Buttevant, Co. Cork) is a renowned button accordion player and founder of the Shandrum Céilí Band, celebrated for multiple All-Ireland titles and his lively, driving style. Joanne Quirke (Co. Cork) is a versatile multi-instrumentalist on whistle, flute, fiddle, piano, and harp, and a graduate of University College Cork who was awarded the prestigious Seán Ó Riada Prize. From Hollymount, Co. Mayo, Paul Clesham is an All-Ireland champion on concertina and a highly skilled accompanist, equally at home on fiddle, accordion, melodeon, and piano, with a strong academic background in ethnomusicology. Completing the group is Fionn O’Hanlon (Boherbue, Co. Cork), a bouzouki player whose roots in the Sliabh Luachra tradition bring rhythmic energy and harmonic depth to the ensemble.

Together, their 2025 album ’Twas Many a Wild Night captures the joy, drive, and spirit of Irish traditional music today.

Here's a video of them playing at Custy's in Ennis.


Here's the link to their bandcamp site

Eimear Arkins & Alan Murray - Scully Casey's with Tab

Eimear Arkins is an award-winning fiddle player, singer, and dancer from County Clare, now based in St. Louis, Missouri. A multiple All-Ireland champion, she is equally celebrated for her rich traditional fiddle style and her expressive singing, from sean-nós to contemporary folk.

 Eimear has toured internationally with ensembles such as Cherish The Ladies, Téada, and The Paul Brock Band, and has represented Ireland at cultural showcases worldwide. Her debut album What’s Next? (2018) was praised for its fresh take on Irish tradition, and her follow-up Here & There (2024) reflects both her Clare roots and her life in the U.S. Whether on stage or in the classroom, Eimear is known for bringing warmth, virtuosity, and authenticity to Irish music.

(Text made by Chat.gpt) ;-)

The first track of her album Here & There is a set which starts with the jig Scully Casey's. On thesession this tune is written as a slide. As I could not find an abc-file written as a jig I used this for my tab. There is a video of Flute Player Hatao on youtube which contains staff notation for the tune as a jig.

The bouzouki player on the album is Alan Murray who seems to become one of my favourite bouzouki players at the moment. 

This is the album version:


Here's the tab. Might not be absolute perfect, but gives an insight into Alan's style of playing.
You can download the whole tab here.
Now I made a tab in 6/8 which is easier to read,  you can find it here.





















Here's a video of the release concert for the album:



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18 Sept 2025

Robin Jones - The Rain Song (Led Zeppelin)

 


Robin Jones' arrangement of Led Zeppelin's "Rain Song". On his website you can buy the tab if you wish to play it. 


Daoiri Farrell - Blackwaterside

Another gem from Daoiri Farrell. A version of The Bonnie Irish Maid or Blackwaterside. The lyrics here don't match Daoiri's always. Here's a link to the lyrics he uses but the chords are a bit different and in G.

Live Version, Capo 5


Studio Version, Capo 3




{t:Blackwater Side - Bonny Irish Maid}

{st:Daoiri Farrell}

{c:Capo 5}



As [D]I went out one [G]morning [A]fair, so [A7]early [A]as I [D]strayed

It being all in the month of [G]May the [D]birds sang [A]in the [G]shade[A]

The [D]sun shone down right merri[G]ly and the [D]water did [A]swiftly [G]glide [A]

Where the [D]primroses [D/F#]and [G]daisies [A]grow, down [A]by Black[A7]water[D]side

 

I [D]had not gone but [G]half a mile when [D]there by [A]chance I [D]spied

Two lovers talk as they did [G]walk down [D]by Black[A]water[G]side

And [D]as he held her in his [G]arms, these [D]words to [A]her did [G]say

"When [D]I am in A[G]merica I'll be [D]true to my [A]Irish [D]Maid"

 

"T’is [D]when you are in A[G]merica those [D]Yankee [A]girls you'll [D]find

And you'll have sweethearts of your [G]own more [D]pleasing [A]to your [G]mind

Do [D]not forget the promi[G]ses and the [D]vows you [A]made to [G]me

Oh, [D]stay at home love, [G]do not roam from your [D]bonny [A]Irish [D]maid"

 

"T’is [D]when I'm in A[G]merica, those [D]Yankee [A]girls I'll [D]see

And they must be very hand[G]some, to re[D]mind me [A]love of [G]thee

For [D]there's not a bird in yonder [G]bush or [D]flower in [A]yonder [G]glade

That [D]does remind me [G]love of thee, my [D]bonny [A]Irish [D]maid"

 

"It's [D]many's the foolish [G]youth" she said, "has [D]gone to some [A]foreign [D]shore

Leaving behind his own true love be[G]hind, for [D]ne’er to [A]see no [G]more

It's in [D]crossing of the Atlantic [G]foam, some[D]times their [A]graves are [G]made

Oh, [D]stay at home love, [G]do not roam from your [D]bonny [A]Irish [D]maid"

 

These [D]two young hearts to[G]gehter so [D]fondly [A]did em[D]brace

Like honey drops upon the [G]dew, the [D]tears ran [A]down her [G]face

"There’s [D] not a day while you're a[G]way I'll [D]visit [A]still these [G]glades

Un[D]til you do re[G]turn again to your [D]bonny [A]Irish [D]maid."



I made some tabs for the intro and verses in Tabledit, which is an app I really can recommend.
You can download my tabs from my Dropbox.





















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