Cliffs of Moher
Name
Cliffs of Moher (Jig)
About
The Cliffs of Moher is a well known jig. John states below in the Comhaltas recording: “My mother used to play this tune. Some say ’tis the Cliffs of Moher…some interpretation of the Cliffs of Moher. Whether twas the original of the Cliffs of Moher.”
Details: Date: 1935, Location: Cliffs of Moher, Co. Clare, Photographer: Kathleen Peters.
Credit: The Photographic Collection, A001.19.00012 Image and data © National Folklore Collection, UCD. Link
Audio
John playing the Cliffs of Moher on the concertina.
Details: Location: Cultúrlann na hÉireann, Monkstown. Date: 1977.
Credit: Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann Recording by Séamus MacMathúna. Link
Audio
John speaking about the Cliffs of Moher tune and then playing it on the concertina.
“Well the concertina was a great instrument in our country. All the women used to play it, and twas a ladies instrument. The men used to play it too but… My mother used to play this tune. Some say ’tis the Cliffs of Moher….that didn’t…Some interpretation of the Cliffs of Moher. Whether twas the original of the Cliffs of Moher, well better I put it on record now, because I might never think of it again.”
Recording Details: Lecture: ‘My Musical Youth – John Kelly’, Willie Clancy Summer School
Location: Community Hall, Miltown Malbay, Co. Clare. Date: July 4 1978
Credit: Recorded by Barry Taylor, part of his book “Music in a Breeze of Wind” about music in West Clare. Link.
Notation
Notated from above recording.