Auchensail
Sharon Newton Creasey, Flute & Suzanne Houston, Piano.

Traditional music from Ireland |& Scotland

Auchensail is a collection of traditional Irish and Scottish tunes from manuscripts and recordings and learned from musicians over many years. Included are tunes from the Gunn ms, Fermanagh 1865, which I researched for the book and CDs ‘Hidden Fermanagh’ ~ tunes from Donegal learnt from Packie Manus Byrne and Danny Meehan and from recordings of the Dochertys and Francie Byrne ~ Scottish tunes from Kohler’s, Kerr’s and the Gow Collections ~ recordings by John Burgess, Angus Grant Snr., Paddy Carty, Mary Bergin, John Rea and Jerry Holland; and one new tune, a ¾ hornpipe composed by Michael Grey.

Audio

Track 1: Fairhaired Mary

Track 2: Donegal Castle

Track 3: President Garfield HP

Track 4: Big Pat's Reel

Track Listing

1. Morning Early-The Bony Boys of Ballintra-Greg's Pipes 04:19
2. Simon Docherty's March-Dulaman na Binne Bui-Finbarr Saunders 04:46
3. Donegal Castle-The Firth House 03:38
4. The Pretty Apron-Jock Wilson's Ball-The Highlandman Who Kissed His Granny 04:19
5. The Ghost's Welcome-Big Pat's-The Dogs Among the Bushes-Sean sa Cheo 04:58
6. Jackson Over the Water-Jackson's Return from Dover-Jackson's Post-Chaise 03:58
7. Ca Hawkie Through the Water-Piddlin' Peggy 03:29
8. The Green Hills of Tyrol-The Copenhagen Waltz-Buy a Broom 03:37
9. The High Level-The Newcastle Hornpipe-President Garfield 04:47
10. Molloy's Favourite-Fair Haired Mary 1 & 2 04:23
11. The Lakes Of Killarney 03:25
12. You're Welcome Home, Grainne-The Gravel Walks to Grannie 05:00

Press Reviews

Auchensail is a lovely C.D. and great example of traditional flute playing. Sharon Newton Creasey travels through her vast repertoire of music enthralling us with tunes both ancient and modern. There is a lovely mix of Irish, Scottish and English music played with confidence, tone and great arrangements.
Sharon is accompanied on piano by Suzanne Houston who adds beautifully to the selections of music of such variety.

A wonderful C.D. that can be listened to over and over. Brendan McHugh

I can recall the 60s and 70s when traditional Irish and Scottish music was experiencing a very healthy rejuvenation in performance, recording, popular interest etc. During this time there were a small number of commentators, some in influential positions, who were strident that no Irish music should be performed in Scottish music sessions and conversely, no Scottish music should be performed in Irish music sessions. This isolationist view utterly failed to appreciate that the music then considered 'Scottish' and 'Irish' have been deeply and culturally intertwined for many generations. While Michael Coleman is often seen as the icon of 'Irish' fiddling, his recorded reel repertoire is littered with Scottish tunes where the original composers' names are well documented. Within a few short years of the emergence of the rhythm of the strathspey, Canon Goodman was collecting such tunes in far west County Cork on the opposite end of the gaelic highway!

It should come as no surprise that recordings today reflect the interleaved nature of a common gaelic musical past and particularly when repertoire from the northern counties of Ireland are being considered. Flute player Sharon Newton Creasey's recent release Auchensail (Burnside Media BSM1001) is an excellent example of such a recording. The twelve tracks present tunes which have been shared back and forth across the Sruth na Maoile for many generations for the simple fact that they are so beautiful. Sharon's sources include many of the great players of both islands. As a highly respected performer as well as teacher and researcher, she has meticulously delved into the history of each of the tunes. Sets of multiple tunes see one powerful tune flow into the subsequent tune which compliments the previous and heightens the excitement. Her playing is of an excellent standard marked by confidence and absolute commitment to the performance. Sharon explores tunes of wonderful simplicity as well as complexity. She fully takes on the challenges such as the Donegal Castle Hornpipe and more. Suzanne Houston's piano accompaniment is wonderful, remaining under the featured melody line, yet adding greatly to the colouring of the tune. Lovers of traditional music will be richly rewarded listening to this recording.  Caoimhín Mac Aoidh, Mí na Marta, 2025.