Brian O’Kane’s #2
Next up on “The Syllabus” is a popular ceili band march called “Brian O’Kane’s #2.” It was composed by the piano accordion player Brian O’Kane, of Dundalk, Louth, who was a member of the Siamsa Ceili Band. The Siamsa CB won the All-Ireland championship three times in a row in the late 60s.
Kathleen Harrington was an important player in Irish traditional music in the early 20th century in Ireland. From her bio on the ITMA website:
Mrs. Harrington’s days of playing with céilí bands was not finished yet. Her brother, John Joe was living in Dundalk and was the figurehead and inspiration for a new generation of musicians. Rory Kennedy with Patsy and Pauline Gardiner formed the Siamsa Céilí Band and were subsequently three times champions of the All-Ireland Céılí band competition (1966–69).
Mrs. Harrington was a prominent and experienced member of the band. The Siamsa Céilí Band included John Joe’s daughters, Pauline and Patsy and his son-in-law, Brian O’Kane. Mrs. Harrington was certainly an asset to the band as she had the experience of competing and winning with the Kincora in the All-Ireland Céılí band competition in 1958.
In the photo, Brian O’Kane stands on the left-hand side, and Kathleen Harrington and John Joe Gardiner sit front and center.
I am unable to find a copy of the Siamsa Ceili Band playing this march, if indeed it was ever recorded by them, but here is a well-loved version recorded in the mid-70s by another great ceili band, the Bridge Ceili Band, (who won more than twice as many all-Ireland titles as the Siamsa!):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2tZgPYTBq8
And here is the composer himself playing his tune at the session in Dundalk:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLrrsvumR0Y
As you can hear, these versions are identical, and this is the one to learn. This march has 3 parts, each in a different key (G, D, A). The only really tricky bit (on my instrument) is the last bit of the third part, ymmv. We can take a couple of weeks on this one.
(BTW in case you’re wondering, there is a #1, which is very popular in Scotland, and at least one or two more that I have found.)
— Jake
Addendum: For those who like dots, the session.org has a single version of it which matches the recordings well.
— Mattox
Upcoming Tunes
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Previous Tunes
- JIGS: Jimmy Neary’s/Jim Ward’s
- HORNPIPES: The Stack of Barley/Bantry Bay
- POLKAS: The Green Cottage/The Ballyvournie
- MARCH: Song of the Chanter
- SLIDES: Scattery Island/Siney Crotty’s
- HORNPIPES: Dunphy’s/Chief O’Neill’s
- JIG: The Flying Wheelchair
- HOP JIGS: The Humous of Kilkenny/Drops of Spring Water