A long shot I know but does anyone know any background to this tune. I have heard of two pipers who have recorded it.
(J.O.B.M. and Mick O’Brian) It’s a great jig and I am intrigued to know who Staesia Donnelly is or was.Any takers?
Also called Finbar Dwyer’s Favourite, and some say related to the song An Páistín Fionn, though my versions of each seem to be second or third cousins at best. There’s a hint of the story on Statia Donnelly here:
Steve Turner posted a recording that he made of it here in the forums somewhere. It was quite good, search on his name and you should find it.
Jeff
Statia Donnelly was the grandmother of fiddleplayer Jimmy Power, he played the tune, as a waltz and asa jig. It’s a version of An Paistin Fionn obviously. It was piper John Murphy who introduced it to the piping repertoire, JOBM took it up and it has been a stalwart in his repertoire ever since[from the mid 80 that is]