Bank of Ireland

Before Francis O'Neill fixed it in print as No. 465 of his 1907 "Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems," this reel was already circulating in Irish manuscripts under other titles. Conor Ward traced a close version in the c.1885 fiddle manuscript of Francis Reynolds of Gaigue, Ballinamuck, Co. Longford, written there as "Follow Me Down to Carlow," and another in the c.1883 copybook of Leitrim musician Stephen Grier under the name "First Day in Ireland." It reached disc early: flute player Tom Morrison recorded it in 1924 with fiddler Tom Higgins and melodeon player P.J. Conlon.