Antrim Fife Tunes in Old-Time Repertoire?

[dulcimike]

So, I read the following on the IRTRAD listserv yesterday:

Same reason that I like those Antrim fife tunes which, funnily enough, turn up in the 'old-time' repertory.

Regards,

Harry.

So, I emailed Harry, and this is what he told me, in part:

Suffice to say that I have heard very familiar common themes occurring in oldtime music and Antrim fife tunes.

The Boys of Belfast is probably one of the most obvious. My clawhammer banjo teacher just played it for me the other night. There's a fiddler here in Dublin called Dermie Diamond (from Belfast) who would have noticed these connections as well (the strictly musical connections that I am interested in that is). Look him up if you're ever in Dublin. He plays an oldtime session on Saturday evenings in The Cobblestones Bar here in Dublin along with my banjo teacher Bill Whelan (not the Riverdance guy!)

So, Ptar, since you're close to the Co. Antrim music, and I know you know a bit about the fife tunes, have you run into any crossover tunes of this sort? Anyone else?

I'm not familiar enough with any than "The Boys of Belfast" to know, but this sounds like something that needs following up on my research.

Ptar - I assume you know this fellow Dermie Diamond. Any thoughts about me getting up with him this coming trip? (I know, I know - I try to cram too much in as it is.....)

Cheers!

[Ptarmigan]

Rick,

Obviously you could drop down to Dublin & meet up with Dermie, if he's in town.

But nearer home here, two good men to speak to are two that I've already put you in touch with, namely John Kennedy & Geordie McAdam.
Remember Geordie actually plays in a Fife Band & an Old Time Band!

Cheers
Dick

[dulcimike]

admin said:

Rick,

Obviously you could drop down to Dublin & meet up with Dermie, if he's in town.

But nearer home here, two good men to speak to are two that I've already put you in touch with, namely John Kennedy & Geordie McAdam.
Remember Geordie actually plays in a Fife Band & an Old Time Band!

Cheers
Dick

Ah, well there you go. I'm hoping to get up with John Kennedy on this year's trip about John Rea, and can ask him about it then. And Geordie - didn't remember about the fife band for him, but talking to him is a must now, isn't it? And I don't have to pay the extra insurance on the rental car to go into the Republic if I don't go to Dublin. Although, a visit with Barry Carroll wouldn't be out of the question.

Anyway, back to Old-Time. It would be a veru interesting addition to the tune list to have a few more Antrim Pipe Tune (obviously connected to Ulster) in the list.

Thanks.