{"id":198151,"date":"2026-02-09T15:47:32","date_gmt":"2026-02-09T20:47:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/?p=198151"},"modified":"2026-02-27T17:47:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-27T22:47:14","slug":"traditional-irish-favorites-plus-new-finds","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/traditional-irish-favorites-plus-new-finds\/","title":{"rendered":"Traditional Irish Favorites Plus New Finds"},"content":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for some new takes on traditional Irish tunes? Our recommendations bring together beloved old favorites\u2014traditional Irish tunes and Turlough O\u2019Carolan tunes\u2014alongside exciting new finds featuring original, Irish-inspired music written for solo harp.<\/h4>\n

(Titles marked with an * are playable on lever harp.)<\/em><\/p>\n

<\/b>Traditional Favorites<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"O'Carolan's\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tDan Reiter\t\t<\/p>\n\t

O’Carolan’s Dream<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>15.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Danny\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tTamsin Dearnley\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Danny Boy<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>4.45<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"With\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAnn Reddy\t\t<\/p>\n\t

With Kitty I’ll Go\/Killy Kranky<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.30<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"George\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tCarolyn Mills\t\t<\/p>\n\t

George Brabazon<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>10.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Set\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tHelga Harper\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Set of Irish Folk Melodies<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"How\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAnna Hagen\t\t<\/p>\n\t

How Lovely Is Your Dwelling<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>6.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Irish\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tKim Robertson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Irish Lamentation<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>4.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*O’Carolan’s Dream<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Dan Reiter<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Just in time for St. Patrick\u2019s Day, Harp Column Music is excited to introduce a brand-new collection of 15 arrangements by Dan Reiter celebrating the music of Turlough O’Carolan<\/span><\/span>, one of Ireland\u2019s most renowned harper-composers. A harpist himself, O’Carolan wrote music that remains central to the instrument\u2019s tradition. This collection features several beloved classics including all four “Bridget Cruise” airs, making it a particularly meaningful addition to any harpist\u2019s Irish library.<\/p>\n

*Danny Boy<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Tamsin Dearnley<\/em><\/p>\n

You simply can\u2019t make it through the month of March without playing this famous Irish tune. As with all of Tamsin Dearnley<\/span><\/span>\u2019s arrangements, this version is absolutely gorgeous, expressive, and lies beautifully in the hands on the harp.<\/p>\n

*With Kitty I’ll Go\/Killy Kranky<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Ann Reddy<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I really enjoy this unique pairing from Ann Reddy<\/span><\/span>. This medley brings together the slower, haunting Appalachian folk song \u201cWith Kitty I\u2019ll Go\u201d and the more lively, traditional Irish tune \u201cKilly Kranky.\u201d Simply put, this piece is just plain cool, and a great addition to Irish playlists if you\u2019re looking for something a little different.<\/p>\n

George Brabazon<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Carolyn Mills<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Carolyn Mills<\/span><\/span> has such fun, engaging arrangements, and this one is no exception. This popular Turlough O’Carolan, arranged here for pedal harp, <\/span><\/span>tune truly comes to life with her sparkly use of harmonics. The piece begins and ends with the melody at a slower pace, while the middle bursts with color and vibrance, making it especially fulfilling to play.<\/p>\n

*Set of Irish Folk Melodies<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Helga Harper<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This set of tunes by Helga Harper<\/span><\/span> is pure joy to play. It features three favorites, beginning with the slower, expressive \u201cFoggy Dew,\u201d before launching into the wildly contagious \u201cCooley\u2019s Reel,\u201d and wrapping up with the equally fun \u201cCastle Kelly Reel.\u201d<\/p>\n

*How Lovely Is Your Dwelling<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Anna Hagen<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I\u2019ve always had an affinity for the main tune of this set, also known as \u201cDown by the Sally Gardens.\u201d Anna Hagen<\/span><\/span> weaves it beautifully together with another Turlough O’Carolan<\/span><\/span> tune, \u201cO\u2019Carolan\u2019s Dream,\u201d resulting in a gorgeous medley.<\/p>\n

*Irish Lamentation<\/a><\/h3>\n

arr. Kim Robertson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This tune was new to me, but it\u2019s absolutely lovely. Though it\u2019s traditionally an English song, it carries strong Irish influences through its familiar tune structure and use of grace notes, and it’s all brought together beautifully in Kim Robertson<\/span><\/span>\u2019s signature arranging style.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

<\/b>New Finds<\/span><\/b><\/h3><\/div>\n\t\n \n
\n\n \n\t
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Leprechauns\"\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tJacqui Cook\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Leprechauns<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Tribute\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tMonika Stadler\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Tribute to O’Carolan<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>3.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"L\u00e0\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAilie Robertson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

L\u00e0 Bealltainn<\/a><\/p>

Rated 5.00<\/strong> out of 5<\/span><\/div><\/div>
\n\t$<\/span>5.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Emerald\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tJoyce Rice\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Emerald Dream<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>4.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Irish\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAngela Kl\u00f6hn\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Irish Jig<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>4.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Phineas\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tAaron David Miller\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Phineas Windsor’s Air<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>8.00<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>
\n\t
\n\t\n
\n\n<\/div>\n\t
\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\"Luminous\"\"\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
+<\/strong><\/div><\/a>\t\n\t\t\t<\/span>\n Quick View<\/a>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t
\n\t\t\t
\t\t

\n\t\t\tKim Robertson\t\t<\/p>\n\t

Luminous Sea<\/a><\/p><\/div>

\n\t$<\/span>3.99<\/bdi><\/span><\/span>\n<\/div>\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n

*Leprechauns<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Jacqui Cook<\/i><\/p>\n

Okay, I\u2019m truly obsessed with this original jig by Jacqui Cook<\/span><\/span>. It\u2019s absolutely infectious and a joy to hear, and even more fun to play. This would be a fantastic tune to end any Irish-inspired set on a high note.<\/p>\n

*Tribute to O’Carolan<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Monika Stadler<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Monika Stadler<\/span><\/span> always has a way of making her music irresistibly engaging. The driving melodies in this piece keep you eager to hear what comes next, and written in cut time, this piece offers a refreshingly different rhythmic feel compared to the other tunes on this list.<\/p>\n

*L\u00e0 Bealltain<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Ailie Robertson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

I have only great things to say about this piece by Ailie Robertson<\/span><\/span>. It\u2019s lyrical and expressive without being difficult to play. I often have my students learn this piece as an introduction to grace notes and left-hand jumps. It\u2019s musical, approachable, and incredibly effective as a teaching tool.<\/p>\n

*Emerald Dream<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Joyce Rice<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This is a lovely piece by Joyce Rice<\/span><\/span>. It\u2019s melodically driven and features some lesser-used harmonies, giving the tune a fresh and distinctive color you don\u2019t often hear.<\/p>\n

*Irish Jig<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Angela Kl\u00f6hn<\/em><\/p>\n

I can imagine hearing this piece over a panoramic video featuring the gorgeous landscapes of Ireland. It’s upbeat, playful, and reels the listener in. Composed by Angela Kl\u00f6hn<\/span><\/span>, it has a wonderful story-telling quality that feels right at home in an Irish-inspired set.<\/p>\n

*Phineas Windsor’s Air<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Aaron David Miller<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

This original air by Aaron David Miller<\/span><\/span> is absolutely stunning. More substantial than many tunes, the piece runs over three minutes which is great for gig books. Celtic influences shine through in the melody and rhythms.<\/p>\n

*Luminous Sea<\/a><\/h3>\n

by Kim Robertson<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Another wonderfully unique tune (in 5\/4 time) to add to your set lists! Kim Robertson<\/span><\/span>\u2019s use of space in the melody, sparkly upper-register rolled chords, and delicate triplet trills creates a truly magical effect.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Are you looking for some new takes on traditional Irish tunes? We have some old favorites and new originals to check out!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10992,"featured_media":198203,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[710],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-198151","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-seasonal-recommendations"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198151","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10992"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=198151"}],"version-history":[{"count":25,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198151\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":198791,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/198151\/revisions\/198791"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/198203"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=198151"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=198151"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/harpcolumn.com\/music\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=198151"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}