“THE JOCKEY TO THE FAIR”
By Nicholas McAuliffe
Tune No. 1796 in O’Neill’s “Music of Ireland 1903” is a popular Set Dance for Stepdancers at Feiseanna around the world.
The piece was first collected by Capt. Francis O’Neill from Co. Down musician, James O’Neill.
In April 1927, Michael C. Hanafin of Callinafercy, Milltown, Co. Kerry, recorded a version for the Columbia Recording Co., which differed from the O’Neill version. Hanafin’s version was also played at a much faster tempo, which might be more suited to a Figure Dance.
