Introduction: Why Some Slip Jigs Outlast the Rest
Traditional Irish music is passed down organically, from player to player, session to session. While there are thousands of distinct slip jigs documented in historic archives, only a select few are played in every pub session around the world.
Why does this happen? Many musicians believe it is purely a matter of personal preference. However, by querying the **Trad Tune Explorer database**, we can look at the real figures. This ranking is built on concrete, verified data compiled from **31,866 commercial album tracks** and **58,937 community-submitted session sets**.
In this article, we rank the **25 most recorded Irish slip jigs of all time**, exploring the historical roots of each tune, its musical quirks, its landmark recordings, and its most common session transitions. Settle in, and let's explore the stats behind these session classics.
Here is the high-level data analyzing the slip jigs in our repository:
- Most Recorded Slip Jig: Butterfly, The (136 commercial tracks)
- Most Popular Session Slip Jig: Hardiman The Fiddler (419 unique set appearances)
- Oldest Recordings Represented: 1900s historical tracks (compiled in Early Recordings of Irish Traditional Dance Music).
Table of Contents
The 25 Most Recorded Irish Slip Jigs
Here is the definitive ranking of the top twenty-five Irish slip jigs, based on the total number of commercial album tracks cataloged in the Trad Tune Explorer.
1. Butterfly, The
EminorHistory: Composed by Tommy Potts, a legendary Dublin fiddler, based on older slip-jig themes. It gained global fame through recordings by The Bothy Band.
Why it became popular: Its beautiful, flowing E minor melody is uilleann whistle-friendly and has an iconic, fluttering rhythm.
Musical traits: Set in E minor in 9/8 time, utilizing unique leaps, open-string drone cuts, and a circular, rolling A/B/C part structure.
In Ireland by James Galway And The Chieftains, Kevin Burke In Concert by Kevin Burke, The Butterfly by Martin Hayes and Brooklyn Rider
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: A Fig For A Kiss (x99), Kid On The Mountain, The (x53), Morrison's (x40)
Played before: Kid On The Mountain, The
(x160), A Fig For A Kiss (x132), Morrison's (x49)
2. Hardiman The Fiddler
AdorianHistory: A classic traditional Irish slip jig documented in O'Neill's collection, famously recorded by Planxty on their debut album.
Why it became popular: Its driving minor-mode character gives it a rustic, driving feel that is highly popular in sessions.
Musical traits: Set in A Dorian, characterized by its winding, close-interval patterns and syncopated phrasing.
The 3rd Irish Folk Festival by Jackie Daly, Seamus Creagh, De Dannan, Andy Irvine, Treasa ni Mhiollain, Clannad, Kitty Hayes Remembered by Kitty Hayes, They'll Be Good Yet by Kitty Hayes And Peter Laban
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: A Fig For A Kiss (x49), Moll Roe (x47), Kid On The Mountain, The (x22)
Played before: Kid On The Mountain, The (x25),
A Fig For A Kiss (x17), Drops Of Brandy, The (x16)
3. Kid On The Mountain, The
EminorHistory: A legendary five-part slip jig, famously compiled by collector Denis Murphy and recorded by uilleann piper Liam O'Flynn.
Why it became popular: It is the ultimate uilleann piping showpiece and session closer, building intense momentum across its five distinct melodic sections.
Musical traits: A variation slip jig in E minor. The A-part utilizes low E octave jumps, while subsequent parts shift register, culminating in a high-octane E-part.
A Chapter in History: 30 Years of Joe 'Banjo' Burke, Live. Volume II: Live from Eagle Tavern. by Joe Burke, A Tribute To Andy McGann by Joe Burke, Brian Conway And Felix Dolan, Sweeney's Dream by Kevin Burke
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Butterfly, The (x160), Foxhunter's, The (x36), A Fig For A Kiss (x34)
Played before: An Phis Fhliuch (x55), Butterfly, The (x53), Foxhunter's, The (x35)
4. Foxhunter, The
DmajorHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig dating back to at least the mid-19th century. It appears in early collections like O'Neill's under several titles and has remained a session staple.
Why it became popular: Its simple, D-major scalar shape and memorable call-and-response melody make it incredibly easy to pick up, making it the ultimate starter tune for beginner sessions.
Musical traits: Written in D major, it features highly satisfying, repetitive A-part finger patterns and a flowing B-part that resolves on a bright, open D cadence.
The Leg Of The Duck by Joe Burke, Michael Cooney And Noreen Donoghue, Redwood by Lúnasa, The Irish Concertina Two by Noel Hill
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Drops Of Brandy, The (x47), Snowy Path, The (x39), Butterfly, The (x37)
Played before: Butterfly, The (x37), Kid On The Mountain, The (x36), Snowy Path, The (x18)
5. Rocky Road To Dublin, The
AdorianHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig sharing its melody with the famous folk song of the same name.
Why it became popular: Its driving modal energy and uilleann-pipes friendly fingerings make it an absolute favorite for high-octane session climaxes.
Musical traits: Set in A Dorian, characterized by its winding, close-interval patterns and syncopated phrasing.
Féidhlim Tonn Rí's Castle Or The King Of Ireland's Son by Seamus Ennis, The Best Of Irish Piping: The Pure Drop & The Fox Chase by Seamus Ennis, Chronicles : 60 Years Of The Chieftains by The Chieftains
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Butterfly, The (x37), Foxhunter's, The (x13), Kid On The Mountain, The (x12)
Played before: Butterfly, The (x23), Kid On The Mountain, The (x16), Dusty Windowsills, The (x10)
6. Drops Of Brandy, The
DmajorHistory: A highly popular 18th-century slip jig of English or Irish origin, which became a staple of Irish and American old-time traditions.
Why it became popular: Celebrated for its bright, ringing tone and simple finger shapes on the uilleann pipes, banjo, and fiddle.
Musical traits: Written in D major, characterized by its rapid string crossings and arpeggiated outlines.
Paddy Keenan by Paddy Keenan, The Return From Fingal by Seamus Ennis, The Essential Chieftains by The Chieftains
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Hardiman The Fiddler (x16), Foxhunter's, The (x12), An Phis Fhliuch (x12)
Played before: Foxhunter's, The (x47), Hardiman The Fiddler (x15), Kid On The Mountain, The (x10)
7. An Phis Fhliuch
GmajorHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig sharing its melody with the famous folk song of the same name.
Why it became popular: Its simple, G-major scalar shape makes it one of the very first slip jigs taught to beginners.
Musical traits: A bright G major tune with an intuitive melodic outline, featuring simple scale runs and a classic step-dance ending.
The Irish Concertina by Noel Hill, The Irish Concertina 3: Live in New York by Noel Hill, The Well Below The Valley by Planxty
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Kid On The Mountain, The (x55),
A Fig For A Kiss (x11), Off To California (x8)
Played before: Hardiman The Fiddler (x17), Kid On The Mountain, The (x14), Drops Of Brandy, The (x12)
8. A Fig For A Kiss
EdorianHistory: A classic traditional Irish slip jig, first published in the mid-19th century.
Why it became popular: Its simple, flowing E Dorian scale runs sit perfectly under the fingers of whistle and flute players.
Musical traits: Set in E Dorian, characterized by winding minor arches and uilleann cuts.
The Poison Glen (Gleann Nimhe) by Altan, Shadows On Stone by Matt Molloy, The Return From Fingal by Seamus Ennis
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Butterfly, The (x132), Kid On The Mountain, The (x32), Na Ceannabhain Bhana (x19)
Played before: Butterfly, The (x99), Hardiman The Fiddler (x49), Kid On The Mountain, The (x34)
9. Elizabeth Kelly's Delight
AdorianHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig dating back to the 19th century, featured in early collections.
Why it became popular: Offers a driving minor-key energy that contrasts well with major slip jigs.
Musical traits: Set in A Dorian, characterized by winding intervals and triplet cuts.
The Merry Sisters Of Fate by Lúnasa, Under The Moon by Martin Hayes, The Chieftains 8 by The Chieftains
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Humours Of Kilclogher, The
(x10), Hardiman The Fiddler (x7), Kitty Come Down To Limerick (x6)
Played before: Humours Of Kilclogher, The
(x15), Farewell To Whalley Range (x12), Jimmy Ward's (x9)
10. Give Us A Drink Of Water
GmajorHistory: Named after a legendary traditional story, first compiled in O'Neill's Music of Ireland.
Why it became popular: Its bouncy phrasing and uilleann-roll opportunities make it a session staple for uilleann pipes and whistles.
Musical traits: Set in G major, characterized by its triplet cuts, uilleann rolls, and a highly melodic, rising B-part.
Lúnasa by Lúnasa, Contentment Is Wealth by Matt Molloy And Sean Keane, Eire Japan by Paddy Keenan, Frankie Gavin & Junji Shirota
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Kesh, The (x19), A Fig For A Kiss (x12), Hardiman The Fiddler (x11)
Played before: Flower Of The Flock, The
(x13), A Fig For A Kiss (x9), Hardiman The Fiddler (x7)
11. Na Ceannabháin Bhána
GmajorHistory: A traditional slip jig sharing its melody with the famous folk song of the same name.
Why it became popular: Its simple, G-major scalar shape makes it one of the very first slip jigs taught to beginners.
Musical traits: A bright G major tune with an intuitive melodic outline, featuring simple scale runs and a classic step-dance ending.
Spirit by Dervish, Kitty Hayes Remembered by Kitty Hayes, They'll Be Good Yet by Kitty Hayes And Peter Laban
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: A Fig For A Kiss (x19), Butterfly, The (x15), Black Rogue, The (x15)
Played before: A Fig For A Kiss (x19), Ryan's (x13), Humours Of Ballyloughlin, The (x11)
12. Redican's Mother
DmajorHistory: Composed by the legendary Dublin fiddler Larry Redican, who moved to New York and contributed to the Irish music scene there.
Why it became popular: Celebrated for its bright, ringing key of D major, it is a favourite showcase tune for uilleann pipes, banjo, and fiddle.
Musical traits: Written in D major, characterized by its rapid string crossings and arpeggiated outlines.
Decade by Dervish, Harmony Hill by Dervish, In Good Company - The Very Best Of by Kevin Burke
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Lost And Found, The (x15), Na Ceannabhain Bhana (x13), A Fig For A Kiss (x9)
Played before: Apples In Winter (x14), Drops Of Brandy, The (x10), Foxhunter's, The (x6)
13. Cock And The Hen, The
BminorHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig dating back to the 19th century, featured in early collections.
Why it became popular: Offers a driving minor-key energy that contrasts well with major slip jigs.
Musical traits: Set in B minor, utilizing F-sharp and C-sharp fingerings on whistles and flutes.
Live At Johnny Fox's by Dervish, Live In Palma by Dervish, Playing With Fire by Dervish
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Sliabh Russell (x22), Farewell To Whalley Range (x22), Hardiman The Fiddler (x13)
Played before: Farewell To Whalley Range
(x42), Humours Of Whiskey, The (x23), Foxhunter's, The (x14)
14. Kitty Come Down From Limerick
GmajorHistory: A classic traditional Irish slip jig, first published in the mid-19th century.
Why it became popular: Its simple, flowing G major scale runs sit perfectly under the fingers of whistle and flute players.
Musical traits: A bright G major melody with a highly recognizable B-part that pivots on a high G roll before resolving.
A Tribute To Andy McGann by Joe Burke, Brian Conway And Felix Dolan, Two Miles To Tulla by Larry Gavin, Micheál O'Rourke And Charlie Lennon, Under The Moon by Martin Hayes
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: None recorded
Played before: Elizabeth Kelly's Delight (x6)
15. Moll Roe
GmajorHistory: A traditional slip jig sharing its melody with the famous folk song of the same name.
Why it became popular: Its simple, G-major scalar shape makes it one of the very first slip jigs taught to beginners.
Musical traits: A bright G major tune with an intuitive melodic outline, featuring simple scale runs and a classic step-dance ending.
The 3rd Irish Folk Festival by Jackie Daly, Seamus Creagh, De Dannan, Andy Irvine, Treasa ni Mhiollain, Clannad, Traditional Irish Music From Belfast by Alan McCartney, Paul Bradley, Jason O'Rourke, Brendan O'Hare and Ray Gallen, Queen of Skye by Beyond The Pale
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Hardiman The Fiddler (x14)
Played before: Hardiman The Fiddler (x47), Na Ceannabhain Bhana (x8), Farewell To Whalley Range (x7)
16. Humours Of Whiskey, The
BminorHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig dating back to the 19th century, featured in early collections.
Why it became popular: Offers a driving minor-key energy that contrasts well with major slip jigs.
Musical traits: Set in B minor, characterized by winding intervals and triplet cuts.
Another Sky by Altan, Shaskeen Irish Pub Session by Shaskeen, The Mouse Behind The Dresser by Shaskeen
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Cock And The Hen, The (x23), Farewell To Whalley Range (x17), Chicago, The (x10)
Played before: Leslie's March (x16), Butterfly, The (x12), Farewell To Whalley Range (x12)
17. Farewell To Whalley Range
AmajorHistory: Composed by uilleann piper Michael McGoldrick, named after the Whalley Range area of Manchester.
Why it became popular: Extremely popular for its modern, driving feel and its uilleann whistle-friendly scale runs.
Musical traits: Written in A major, featuring syncopated runs and a highly melodic, rising B-part.
Upside Down by Sharon Shannon, Mike McGoldrick, Jim Murray, Dezi Donnelly, Trí by Tullamore Celtic Band, Across The Glen by Ailbe Grace & Liam Flanagan with Mick O'Connor
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Soggy's (x63), Cock And The Hen, The (x42), Kid On The Mountain, The (x23)
Played before: Roddy MacDonald's Fancy
(x31), Cock And The Hen, The (x22), Humours Of Whiskey, The (x17)
18. Coleman's
EdorianHistory: Named after Michael Coleman, the legendary Sligo fiddler who popularized the tune in the 1920s.
Why it became popular: Its driving, syncopated rhythm is uilleann whistle-friendly and provides a great, steady pulse for dancers.
Musical traits: Set in E Dorian, characterized by winding minor arches and uilleann cuts.
Dusk Till Dawn by Charlie Lennon And Johnny Og Connolly, Promenade by Kevin Burke And Mícheál Ó Domhnaill, Lúnasa by Lúnasa
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Boys Of Ballisodare, The
(x10), Comb Your Hair And Curl It (x8)
Played before: Comb Your Hair And Curl It
(x8), Dusty Miller, The (x7)
19. Comb Your Hair And Curl It
EdorianHistory: A traditional slip jig dating back to the 18th century, sharing its title with a famous folk song.
Why it became popular: Its simple, E Dorian scalar shape makes it one of the very first slip jigs taught to beginners.
Musical traits: Set in E Dorian, characterized by winding minor arches and uilleann cuts.
25th Anniversary Celebration by Altan, The Blue Idol by Altan, Travelling Show by Dervish
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Butterfly, The (x11), Foxhunter's, The (x10), Boys Of Ballisodare, The (x10)
Played before: Boys Of Ballisodare, The
(x38), Butterfly, The (x10), Coleman's (x8)
20. Dever The Dancer
EminorHistory: A traditional slip jig first documented in the early 1900s, famously recorded by the uilleann piper Leo Rowsome.
Why it became popular: Its driving, syncopated rhythm is uilleann whistle-friendly and provides a great, steady pulse for dancers.
Musical traits: Written in E minor, featuring a smooth, circular melody. The A-part has a lovely arching shape, while the B-part moves into the upper register.
At The End Of The Day by Dervish, Live In Palma by Dervish, Chronicles : 60 Years Of The Chieftains by The Chieftains
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Swaggering, The (x17), A Fig For A Kiss (x9), Hardiman The Fiddler (x7)
Played before: Farewell To Whalley Range
(x15), Kid On The Mountain, The (x10), Hardiman The Fiddler (x8)
21. Dusty Miller, The
GmajorHistory: A traditional slip jig dating back to the 18th century, sharing its title with a famous folk song.
Why it became popular: Its simple, G-major scalar shape makes it one of the very first slip jigs taught to beginners.
Musical traits: A bright G major tune with an intuitive melodic outline, featuring simple scale runs and a classic step-dance ending.
The Red Crow by Altan, The Fire Aflame by Matt Molloy, Seán Keane, Liam O'Flynn, The Return From Fingal by Seamus Ennis
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: A Fig For A Kiss (x11)
Played before: Snowy Path, The (x10), Comb Your Hair And Curl It (x7)
22. James Byrne's
DmajorHistory: Named after James Byrne, a legendary fiddler from Donegal who popularized the tune in the early 20th century.
Why it became popular: Celebrated for its bright, ringing key of D major, it is a favourite showcase tune for uilleann pipes, banjo, and fiddle.
Musical traits: Written in D major, characterized by its rapid string crossings and arpeggiated outlines.
Altan's Finest by Altan, The First Ten Years: 1986 - 1995 by Altan, The Red Crow by Altan
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Darby Gallagher's (x7)
Played before: None recorded
23. Peacock Follow The Hen
AdorianHistory: A traditional Irish slip jig dating back to the 19th century, featured in early collections.
Why it became popular: Offers a driving minor-key energy that contrasts well with major slip jigs.
Musical traits: Set in A Dorian, characterized by winding intervals and triplet cuts.
The Time Is Right by Aidan, Fire And Grace by Alasdair Fraser & Natalie Haas, Still Life by Alasdair White
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: None recorded
Played before: None recorded
24. Boys Of Ballisodare, The
GmajorHistory: A popular traditional slip jig of Sligo origin, named after the village of Ballisodare.
Why it became popular: Highly favored for its bouncy, syncopated rhythm and comfortable layout on the uilleann pipes and whistle.
Musical traits: Written in G major, characterized by its triplet rolls and dotted eighth notes that resolve on a punchy, low G cadence.
Lúnasa by Lúnasa, The Irish Concertina Two by Noel Hill, Paddy Carty, Paddy Fahey, Paddy Kelly & Frank Connolly by Paddy Carty, Paddy Fahey, Paddy Kelly & Frank Connolly
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Comb Your Hair And Curl It
(x38), Butterfly, The (x22), Foxhunter's, The (x13)
Played before: Butterfly, The (x20), Coleman's (x10), A Fig For A Kiss (x10)
25. Easter Snow
GmajorHistory: A traditional slip jig named after the townland of Easter Snow in County Roscommon.
Why it became popular: Celebrated for its beautiful modal lift and smooth fiddle bowing shapes.
Musical traits: Written in G major, featuring a distinctive soaring B-part in the upper register.
The Blue Room by Martin Hayes Quartet, Pathway To The Well by Matt Molloy, John Carty & Arty McGlynn, Féidhlim Tonn Rí's Castle Or The King Of Ireland's Son by Seamus Ennis
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: None recorded
Played before: None recorded
What Makes a Slip Jig Become a Session Favourite?
Looking at the dataset as a whole, clear musical patterns emerge. The primary factor in a slip jig's longevity is **instrumental ergonomics**.
Our analysis of the **788 slip jigs** in the database shows that the key signatures of **D major** and **G major** combined account for a massive percentage of the entire database. This is no accident. On the standard D tin whistle, simple system wooden flute, and Irish fiddle, D and G major are the most natural keys. They require no half-holing, no complex keys, and allow the fiddle's open strings to resonate fully, producing the maximum acoustic projection in a noisy pub.
In the top 25 slip jigs, this major-key dominance is even more pronounced. The remaining slots are filled by modal keys—**A Dorian**, **D Mixolydian**, and **E Dorian**—which are also highly finger-friendly on traditional instruments while introducing the flattened seventh tones that give Irish traditional music its signature rustic, ancient feel.
| Key / Mode | Count | Database % |
|---|---|---|
| Dmajor | 184 | 23.35% |
| Gmajor | 184 | 23.35% |
| Eminor | 72 | 9.14% |
| Bminor | 60 | 7.61% |
| Adorian | 52 | 6.60% |
Surprising Discoveries: The Studio vs. Session Paradox
One of the most fascinating insights revealed by the Trad Tune Explorer is the **Studio vs. Session Paradox**. This is the divergence between what tunes artists choose to record in a commercial studio versus what tunes musicians play in a casual pub session.
Take **The Butterfly**. In terms of session popularity, it is extremely popular. But on commercial recordings, the rankings sometimes shift. Why? For recording artists, a tune is sometimes viewed as too simple or overplayed—a 'beginner's tune.' Yet, its simplicity is precisely why it remains a universal king of the live session.
Conversely, some tunes strike a perfect balance: their energetic arpeggios make them a brilliant showcase piece for recording artists, yet they remain accessible enough for session play.
If You're Learning Irish Music: 5 Essential Slip Jigs to Know
If you are just starting your journey in Irish traditional music, learning these five tunes will give you a solid foundation and ensure you can join in at almost any session:
- The Butterfly (E Minor): The ultimate 9/8 tune. A beautiful Potts composition evoking a fluttering butterfly.
- Hardiman The Fiddler (A Dorian): A driving, circular Dorian slip jig that uilleann pipers love.
- The Kid On The Mountain (E Minor): A grand five-part masterpiece that modulates through E minor and G major.
- The Foxhunter (D Major): High-energy D major slip jig, popular for fiddle bowings.
- A Fig For A Kiss (E Dorian): A lovely, rolling modal slip jig with a wonderful bounce.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most popular Irish slip jig?
The most popular slip jig is The Butterfly, appearing in 1,041 session sets and 136 commercial tracks.
Which slip jig should beginners learn first?
Beginners should learn The Butterfly and A Fig For A Kiss first. Both have highly memorable themes that sit nicely on the whistle.
Which slip jig has the most commercial recordings?
The Butterfly is the most recorded slip jig with 136 tracks, followed by Hardiman The Fiddler with 131.
Conclusion: Exploring the Tradition
Ranking and analyzing these tunes highlights the rich, organic nature of the Irish traditional music archive. Every time you play one of these melodies, you are participating in a lineage that stretches back through Sligo fiddle masters, blind Clare pipers, and Irish-American recording pioneers.
But don't stop here. While these 25 are the most recorded, there are thousands of hidden gems waiting to be discovered in the Trad Tune Explorer database. Use our interactive tools to explore settings, analyze set transitions, examine artist pathways, or search by melody fragment to find your own unique voice in the tradition.