The Earl's Chair

'The Earl's Chair' is a popular Irish reel tune frequently played in traditional music sessions. There is speculation about its origin. Some believe it was composed by Packie (Pato) Maloney of Woodford, Co. Galway, an uncle of Mike Rafferty. Others suggest Tommy Whelan of the Ballinakill Traditional Players also had a hand in its creation, possibly in collaboration with Maloney.

The tune is often associated with a large, chair-shaped rock formation located in Derrycrag Wood.

Musical Characteristics:

• The tune is typically played in D Major. However, there is debate about the best chord to start with, as it can sound unusual in D Major. Some musicians suggest starting on G or Em.
• The tune is known for allowing variation in performance.
• Ornamentation such as rolls and cuts are common.
• Some versions include a distinct, elongated ‘e’ note in the second part of the tune.
• A version was popularized by Jack Coen, who recorded it with his son Jimmy on an album of traditional Irish music.

Availability & Recordings:

The tune has been recorded by many musicians. It can be found online in various notations and recordings. Some notable recordings include versions by Mikey O’Donoghue and Benoit Volant.

Note: Several links to recordings and sheet music are available online, however, some have been found to be incorrect.