Apples in Winter (jig): Brendan (eile)

Apples in Winter (jig)

This is a lively, old jig! I say old because according to Chief O'Neill (Irish Minstrels & Musicians, 1913) it was one of the first jigs learned by the Kerry fiddler/piper William F. Hanafin, who was born in 1875. The tune featured in O'Neill's 1907 collection (Dance Music of Ireland: 1001 Gems).

William F. Hanafin (1875-1924). Source: ITMA

The Sligo fiddler Michael Coleman recorded Apples in Winter (Úlla sa Gheimhreadh, más fearr leat) in the early 1920s and there have been dozens of versions produced over the last century. I'm particularly fond of Kevin Griffin's banjo version from Live at the Burren Centre, Kilfenora (2009), which someone has kindly added to YouTube at 70% speed with notation from the Dusty Banjo's tune book: Ten Years of Tunes (available HERE).

And here is my version based on Kevin's Griffin's (and at about 70% speed).