The Monaghan Twig ia a reel in the key of Amix. It has many associations with sessions in the north of Ireland. The first recording of the tune was by James Kelly, Paddy O’Brien and Daithi Sproule on the LP “Is It Yourself ?”. It was recorded by Brian O’Donnell in Belfast, 1966.

first part

• | E D C# A   A B C# D | E D C# A  A G e | B C#A A  B C# D E | D B A G  B D |
• | E D C# A   A B C# D | E D C# A  A G e | B C#A A  B C# D E | D B A G  B D |

second part

• | C# D E F#  G’ F# E D | B C# D E   F# E D | C# D E F#  G’ –E | D B G B  D |
• | E D   C# D E D | C# D E D  C# A A B | C# D E F#  G’-E | D E E D  B A G B | D E D |

This is a great reel and very common in any session. I first heard it in a recording by Stockton’s Wing and immediately added it to my repertoire. It fits in nicely with ‘The Silver Spear’ and ‘Saint Anne’s reel’ and also ‘Toss The Feathers’.

first part played slowly

second part played slowly

complete tune played slowly with single notes

complete tune played a little faster with triplets added

first part

• D-AD   BDAB | D- F#D   EDBA | D-AD  BDAD | BDEF#  GEF#E:|
• D-AD   BDAB | D- F#D   EDBA | D-AD  BDAD | BDEF#  G’-F#G’ ||

second part

• A’F#F#-  B’F#F#- | A’F#F#-  G’EE- | A’F#F#E  DF#ED | BDEF#  G’-F#G’ |
• AF#F#-   B’F#F#- | A’F#F#-  G’EE- | A’F#F#E  DF#ED | BDEF#  G’EF#E ||