Timmy Clifford’s jig

This is a lovely Irish jig called Timmy Clifford’s jig, or sometimes called Micho Russell’s jig. I learned it from the playing of the Kerry fiddle player, Gerry Harrington. As far as I can work out Timmy Clifford was a box player, also from Kerry, who emigrated to Chicago. This jig might be one of his compositions, or maybe a traditional tune which he brought with him to America and which became associated with him.

We also often play it now in our Shanvaghera set list with two other fine jigs, The Yellow Wattle and Bogs of Allan.

It’s a tune that makes good use of the low notes on the fiddle, on the G string. Below you’ll find a playthrough video and a video going through just the melody slowly so you can work it out.