Chiff and Fipple Forums

hi, could someone please tell me something about a wonderful tune by Davy Spillane entitled: "the road to Ballyalla"... the piece is made up of an air and two reels and some moments (I think) of improvisation... the question is: were the two reels composed by Davy Spillane? do the two reels have a title? Thanks in advance if anyone can answer, Martino

The first part of the first reel is a version of "The Connemara Stocking" or "Apples in Winter", the second part is from a different tune I can't think of at the moment.
The second reel is Hughie Travers' No. 2.

thank you Michael Loos for answering my question, you are very kind, I have been listening to Davy Spillane since the late 90s and the Road to Ballyalla has always impressed me, over the years I have tried to look for information about it and I have never found anything and now thanks to this forum and thanks to you I was able to get the information I was looking for for years! Thank you

I've just looked at this on Youtube. I'm afraid I have to disagree with some of the above. "The Connemara Stocking" isn't played at all. There are 3 tunes. The first track starts with a slowed down version of the traditional reel "Tom Ward's Downfall". The Second reel, played at full speed is "The Happy Days Of Youth" [ "McKenna's #2 ]. The final reel is the second "Hughie Travers' Reel" as recorded by Matt Molloy on his first solo album.
To the best of my knowledge, all 3 are "traditional", and without a doubt older than Davy Spillane.

You are perfectly right Kenny - McKenna's no.2 - I got them mixed up. Thanks very much!

Happens to us all Michael. I've had a few real howlers on "thesession.org" recently !