The Home Ruler (hornpipe on concertina)

The Home Ruler is a popular Irish session hornpipe. Some claim it was written in honor of Daniel O'Connor, but I prefer the information that the composer, Frank McCollum, wrote it in honor of his wife. This is part of my weekly hornpipe home-recording project; thanks for your interest.

[@canvascat]

Love it. well played. thanks.

[@jonathanjamesking]

I can verify your comments Dick. Catherine( Frank McCollum Daughter ) is actually my Mother in law and we played this tune at her nephews Wedding in Co Down. Good Tune.

[@Ptarmi]

N.B. "The tune was composed in the 1960's by Frank McCollum (County Antrim) and dedicated to his wife (the real "Home Ruler") Frank McCollum was a fiddler, song and music collector, and composer and was a one-time 'master' of the Ballycastle, Co. Antrim, Orange Lodge." .. from the CCE website. Frank's daughter Catherine, plus old friends of Frank like Len Graham & Cathal McConnell have also personally verified this information for me. Dick Glasgow, Ballycastle, Co. Antrim

[@clarebannerman]

Lovely playing.

[@concertinette]

@roochard - This is a meld of two versions that were being warred over in a Michigan session. One is pretty normal; the less common one is something like Ken Kolodner's version (search for a video), but I don't know if the fiddle player I know got it from him or where.

[@concertinette]

@mikesamwild Yes, it's a grand tune, and great on that album! The instrument is concertina reeds, though I'll admit the camera mics don't do it justice.

[@concertinette]

@johnheaden1 - Excellent, thanks for the info! It often seems that the stories that go with the tunes have as many versions as the tunes themselves, and it's hard to pick out the true one. At least I got Frank McCollum right!

[@johnheaden1]

maith an cailin---ceol deas
neither dan o'connell m.p. or frank mc collums wife were the inspiration of this lovely hornpipe in fact frank mc collum a unionist m.p. wrote this for his friend francis joseph bigger a home rule m.p. both for co antrim---------- both loved irish music and regularly played together while attending the house of commons

[@mikesamwild]

Great playing, I love that Dipper, has it got 'real' concertina reeds or accordion reeds? I first heard the tune on Noel Hill and Tony Linnane's LP in the 70s.which got me nto concertinas I heard it was dedicated to a fellow MP of McCollum's

[@dickmiles6639]

v ery good