25 Irish Hornpipes Every Session Musician Should Learn
For absolute beginners, The Boys of Bluehill (D major, ID: 651) is the most widely played starter hornpipe, appearing in 603 session sets. It consists of highly intuitive scalar patterns. Other excellent starter hornpipes are The Harvest Home (D major, ID: 49) and Off to California (G major, ID: 30).
Data-Backed Repertoire: We analyzed session lists, user bookmarks, and album recordings to find the 25 hornpipes actually played at real pub sessions, saving you from learning obscure tunes.
1. Sourcing and Methodology
Hornpipes in Irish traditional music represent a distinct rhythmic family. While sharing the 4/4 meter with reels, they are played at a slower tempo with a pronounced dotted 'swing' (long-short lilt) and characteristic triplet endings. Navigating which hornpipes are core to pub sessions can be challenging since there are hundreds in active circulation.
To identify the most essential tunes for learners, we queried the Trad Tune Explorer database to select the top 25 hornpipes. The ranking was computed based on:
- Session Popularity: Ranked by the number of unique user setlists featuring each tune, indicating which tunes you are most likely to encounter in a live pub session.
- Difficulty Profiles: Tunes are tagged as Easy, Intermediate, or Advanced based on technical factors like finger stretches, high-register shifts, and ornamentation complexity.
This data-backed guide gives you a reliable list of tunes that are worth your practice time, helping you build a session-ready repertoire.
2. Interactive Practice Checklist & Side-by-Side Comparison
| Learned | Rank | Tune Name | Key | Difficulty | Session Sets | Recordings |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dmajor | Easy | 603 | 117 | ||
| 2 | Eminor | Intermediate | 585 | 151 | ||
| 3 | Dmajor | Easy | 569 | 146 | ||
| 4 | Gmajor | Easy | 440 | 95 | ||
| 5 | Dmajor | Easy | 272 | 69 | ||
| 6 | Dmajor | Intermediate | 268 | 87 | ||
| 7 | Dmajor | Intermediate | 246 | 97 | ||
| 8 | Amixolydian | Easy | 215 | 111 | ||
| 9 | Dmajor | Intermediate | 215 | 128 | ||
| 10 | Gmajor | Easy | 192 | 87 | ||
| 11 | Eminor | Easy | 185 | 36 | ||
| 12 | Adorian | Intermediate | 155 | 54 | ||
| 13 | Dmajor | Easy | 138 | 34 | ||
| 14 | Dmajor | Easy | 121 | 68 | ||
| 15 | Dmajor | Intermediate | 119 | 85 | ||
| 16 | Gmajor | Intermediate | 110 | 30 | ||
| 17 | Dmajor | Easy | 106 | 46 | ||
| 18 | Gmajor | Easy | 101 | 98 | ||
| 19 | Gmajor | Intermediate | 100 | 39 | ||
| 20 | Gmajor | Advanced | 90 | 106 | ||
| 21 | Gmajor | Intermediate | 86 | 40 | ||
| 22 | Dmajor | Advanced | 86 | 85 | ||
| 23 | Dminor | Intermediate | 85 | 34 | ||
| 24 | Gdorian | Intermediate | 77 | 57 | ||
| 25 | Dmajor | Intermediate | 73 | 42 |
3. The 25 Irish Hornpipes to Learn
1.
Boys Of Bluehill, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 651
History: A ubiquitous traditional hornpipe of unknown origin, found throughout Ireland and Scotland. Often played as a beginner tune due to its friendly D-major scalar patterns.
Why Learn It: An absolute session standard. If a session plays a hornpipe set, this is very likely to be in it.
Musical Traits & Tips: Focus on the roll on the high F# in the second part. Keep the rhythm bouncy and dotted.
The Drone by Tommy Keane (Track 5), Classic Irish Music by Mick O'Connor (Track 2)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Harvest Home, The
(x209), Off To California (x104), Rights Of Man, The (x48)
Played
before: Harvest Home, The (x116), Off To California (x104), Rights Of Man, The (x33)
2.
Rights Of Man, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Eminor | ID: 83
History: Often attributed to the famous 18th-century Tyne fiddler James Hill. Named after Thomas Paine's political treatise Rights of Man.
Why Learn It: The most famous minor-mode hornpipe in the tradition, providing a beautiful modal contrast to major-key tunes.
Musical Traits & Tips: Play the triplets in the first part cleanly. Watch the transition between E minor and G major.
The Well-Tempered Fiddle by Paddy Canny (Track 3), Masters of the Folk Violin by Sean Keane (Track 1)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Pride Of Petravore,
The (x111), Off To California
(x57), Boys Of Bluehill, The
(x33)
Played before: Off To California
(x59), Boys Of Bluehill, The (x48), Harvest Home, The (x38)
3.
Harvest Home, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 49
History: Another James Hill composition (or popularised by him). Traditionally played to celebrate the end of the agricultural harvest.
Why Learn It: Often paired directly with The Boys of Bluehill. Together, they form the most common hornpipe set in the world.
Musical Traits & Tips: The A-part features quick string crossings and arpeggiated figures. Keep your bowing/fingering relaxed.
Star-Spangled Molly by De Dannan (Track 6), Traditional Music of Ireland by Mary Bergin (Track 1)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Boys Of
Bluehill, The (x116), Off To California
(x56), Rights Of Man, The (x38)
Played
before: Boys Of Bluehill, The (x209),
Off To California (x76), Rights Of Man, The (x29)
4.
Off To California
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 30
History: Associated with Irish musicians traveling to the California Gold Rush of 1849. It is a variant of the English tune Whiskey in the Jar or The Fireman's Reel in some catalogs.
Why Learn It: Highly popular and very easy to play on the tin whistle and flute due to its range.
Musical Traits & Tips: Emphasize the long notes on the G to give it the classic hornpipe lift.
The Irish Concertina by Noel Hill (Track 8), Celtic Airs by Joanie Madden (Track 4)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Boys Of
Bluehill, The (x104), Harvest Home, The
(x76), Rights Of Man, The (x59)
Played
before: Boys Of Bluehill, The (x104),
Rights Of Man, The (x57), Harvest Home, The (x56)
5.
Home Ruler, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 310
History: Composed by the famous Leitrim fiddle player and priest, Father P.J. Kelly. Named in honor of the Irish Home Rule movement led by Charles Stewart Parnell.
Why Learn It: Extremely popular in sessions. It has a beautiful flowing melody that is very sweet on the flute.
Musical Traits & Tips: Keep the rhythm steady and don't rush the eighth notes. The B-part reaches a lovely high A.
The Leitrim Equation by Lúnasa (Track 2), Traditional Irish Music by Joe Burke (Track 7)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Kitty's Wedding
(x167), Off To California (x10)
Played
before: Wicklow, The (x29), Kitty's Wedding (x20), Rights Of Man, The (x17)
6.
Kitty's Wedding
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 869
History: First published in O'Neill's Music of Ireland (1903). An old clog dance melody that transitioned into a hornpipe.
Why Learn It: Famous for its intricate triplets and bouncy nature. Excellent for developing crisp ornamentation.
Musical Traits & Tips: The opening arpeggiated triplets need to be executed with precise timing. Avoid rushing.
Kitty's Wedding by Altan (Track 3), Fiddle Music of Donegal by John Doherty (Track 5)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Home Ruler, The
(x20), Stack Of Barley, The
(x13), Plains Of Boyle, The
(x6)
Played before: Home Ruler, The
(x167), Off To California (x6)
7.
Chief O'Neill's Favourite
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 13
History: Named after Chief Francis O'Neill, the Chicago police superintendent who collected and preserved thousands of Irish tunes.
Why Learn It: Features gorgeous syncopated jumps and a wonderful, driving rhythmic flow.
Musical Traits & Tips: Pay close attention to the C-natural in the B-part which provides a temporary Mixolydian feel.
The Eagle's Whistle by Mary Bergin (Track 2), Paddy Keenan by Paddy Keenan (Track 4)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Rights Of Man, The
(x18), Plains Of Boyle, The (x17), Boys Of Bluehill, The
(x6)
Played before: Rights Of Man, The
(x22), Plains Of Boyle, The (x20), Dunphy's (x13)
8.
Little Beggarman, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Amixolydian | ID: 566
History: The melody is identical to the traditional song The Little Beggarman (or The Red-Haired Boy in bluegrass).
Why Learn It: Highly versatile; it bridges the Irish session tradition and the American Old-Time/Bluegrass traditions.
Musical Traits & Tips: The Mixolydian G-naturals give this tune its bright, rustic character.
Celtic Fiddle Festival by Kevin Burke (Track 12), Live in Seattle by Martin Hayes (Track 6)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Drowsy Maggie (x14), High, The (x12), Monaghan, The (x10)
Played before: Whiskey Before Breakfast (x12), Rights Of Man, The (x10), Blackthorn Stick, The (x10)
9.
Plains Of Boyle, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 652
History: Named after the town of Boyle in County Roscommon. Sourced from the flute playing of the Roscommon school.
Why Learn It: A lovely, rolling D-major hornpipe with a distinctive, syncopated rhythm in the B-part.
Musical Traits & Tips: The jump to the high G and F# in the second part requires smooth finger coordination.
The Roscommon Flute by Patsy Hanly (Track 4), Traditional Music by Matt Molloy (Track 8)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Cronin's (x39), Chief O'Neill's (x20), Rights Of Man, The (x14)
Played
before: Chief O'Neill's (x17), Cronin's (x14), Off To California (x7)
10.
Cronin's
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 478
History: Named after the Cronin family of musicians from Cork, particularly the fiddler Paddy Cronin who emigrated to Boston.
Why Learn It: A highly popular session starter in G. Simple, bouncy, and highly satisfying.
Musical Traits & Tips: Keep the rhythm very bouncy. Great tune for accordion and concertina players.
The Kerry Fiddle by Paddy Cronin (Track 11), The Floating Bow by Denis Murphy & Julia Clifford (Track 9)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Plains Of Boyle,
The (x14), Off To California
(x10), Stack Of Barley, The
(x8)
Played before: Plains Of Boyle,
The (x39), Harvest Home, The
(x18), Fisher's (x15)
11.
Pride Of Petravore, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Eminor | ID: 82
History: The melody was used by French writer Percy French for his humorous song Eileen Óg.
Why Learn It: A dramatic minor hornpipe that is frequently played at high energy.
Musical Traits & Tips: Keep the B-part driving and make sure the E-minor accents are well-defined.
The Dubliners Live by The Dubliners (Track 14), Irish Traditional Music by Matt Molloy (Track 2)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Rights Of Man, The
(x18), Off To California (x6)
Played
before: Rights Of Man, The (x111), Trip To Pakistan (x9), King Of The Fairies (x7)
12.
Humours Of Tullycrine, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Adorian | ID: 980
History: Sourced from West Clare, particularly associated with the concertina player Elizabeth Crotty and fiddler Bobby Casey.
Why Learn It: An iconic Clare hornpipe that is full of character and subtle modal shifts.
Musical Traits & Tips: Play this tune with a relaxed, flowing tempo to capture the Clare style.
Elizabeth Crotty by Elizabeth Crotty (Track 15), The Casey Sessions by Bobby Casey (Track 6)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Mickey Callaghan's
Fancy (x30), Caislean An
Oir (x10), Humours Of
Ballyconnell, The (x7)
Played before: Caislean An Oir (x42), Red Haired Boy (x6)
13.
Staten Island
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 1285
History: Named after Staten Island in New York. A classic American/Irish crossover tune found in many early collections.
Why Learn It: Simple, bright, and very fun to play. Excellent for whistle and fiddle beginners.
Musical Traits & Tips: The A-part has a very standard pattern; keep the syncopation clean in the B-part.
Portland Selection by Kevin Burke (Track 3), Fiddle Fever by Fiddle Fever (Track 1)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Miss McLeod's (x11), Soldier's Joy (x8)
Played before:
Mason's Apron, The (x13), Flowers Of Edinburgh, The (x11), Boys Of Bluehill, The (x7)
14.
Soldier's Joy
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 1356
History: One of the oldest and most widely distributed tunes in the English-speaking world, dating back to the late 1700s.
Why Learn It: An essential tune that is shared across Irish, Scottish, Old-Time, and Bluegrass repertoires.
Musical Traits & Tips: Can be played either as a bouncy hornpipe or a fast reel. Keep the eighth notes even if playing up-tempo.
Appalachian Waltz by Mark O'Connor & Yo-Yo Ma (Track 10), Irish Traditional Fiddle by Kevin Burke (Track 11)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Mason's Apron, The
(x12), Miss McLeod's (x6), Devil's Dream (x6)
Played before:
Devil's Dream (x14), Staten Island (x8), Flowers Of Edinburgh, The (x8)
15.
Liverpool, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 1500
History: Likely composed in England in the 19th century, but long adopted into the Irish tradition.
Why Learn It: Popular in sessions and step-dancing. It has a very structured, classical feel.
Musical Traits & Tips: Watch the arpeggios in the B-part. Focus on keeping the runs neat.
Toss the Feathers by Mary Bergin (Track 4), Concertina Choice by Gearóid Ó hAllmhuráin (Track 8)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Boys Of
Bluehill, The (x9), Off To California
(x9), Murphy's (x9)
Played before: Off To California (x25), Boys Of Bluehill, The (x7), Fisher's (x6)
16.
Harp And The Shamrock, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 1802
History: Sourced from O'Neill's collections, celebrating traditional national symbols.
Why Learn It: A sweet, rolling G-major hornpipe with a lovely melodic shape.
Musical Traits & Tips: Watch the D-natural jumps. Play with a nice swing.
Music of Ireland by Joe Burke (Track 3), The Irish Accordion by Paddy O'Brien (Track 10)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Mick O'Connor's
(x8)
Played before: From Galway To
Dublin (x17)
17.
Sonny Murray's
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 309
History: Associated with the Clare concertina player Sonny Murray, though its origins are likely older.
Why Learn It: Very popular in County Clare and played with a lovely, relaxed swing.
Musical Traits & Tips: Focus on the triplets and rolls in the B-part.
Sonny Brogan's Tribute by Tony MacMahon (Track 12), Clare Concertina by Sonny Murray (Track 4)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Home Ruler, The
(x29)
18.
Stack Of Barley, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 2224
History: Used as the tune for the popular Irish folk song and set dance of the same name.
Why Learn It: A classic, catchy G hornpipe that is easily recognized and highly interactive.
Musical Traits & Tips: The G-major arpeggiated runs require clean finger lifting.
Legacy by Joe Burke (Track 2), Paddy Carty by Paddy Carty (Track 8)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Bantry Bay (x13), Rights Of Man, The (x8), Rodney's Glory (x6)
Played
before: Kitty's Wedding (x13), Boys Of Ballycastle, The (x8), Cronin's (x8)
19.
Wonder, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 337
History: Associated with the legendary fiddler James Morrison and other Sligo masters.
Why Learn It: A showstopper tune with a highly syncopated and chromatic-feeling B-part.
Musical Traits & Tips: The chromatic-like shifts and key leaps in the second part require precise fingering.
The Sligo Champion by James Morrison (Track 1), Irish Fiddle by Michael Coleman (Track 10)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Showman's Fancy, The
(x9), Rights Of Man, The (x7)
Played
before: Showman's Fancy, The
(x8)
20.
Golden Eagle, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 974
History: Often attributed to the Tyne fiddler James Hill. A highly ornamental tune representing the "clog" hornpipe style.
Why Learn It: An advanced piece that showcases technical proficiency and control.
Musical Traits & Tips: The rapid-fire triplets and high-register runs in the B-part are technically demanding. Slow practice is key.
Matt Molloy & Sean Keane by Matt Molloy & Sean Keane (Track 5), Mary Bergin by Mary Bergin (Track 9)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Independence,
The (x8)
21.
Fairies', The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gmajor | ID: 1262
History: Also known as The Fairies' Hornpipe. Sourced from 19th-century manuscript collections.
Why Learn It: Features a bright, magical character with great scalar movement.
Musical Traits & Tips: Keep the bounce pronounced and make sure the triplets snap cleanly.
The Irish Accordion by Paddy O'Brien (Track 5), Clare Concertina by Noel Hill (Track 12)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Peacock's Feather, The
(x7)
Played before: Honeysuckle, The
(x7)
22.
Tailor's Twist, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 996
History: Sourced from Munster fiddlers. A highly technical clog hornpipe with a winding melody.
Why Learn It: Excellent for intermediate-to-advanced players looking to master complex shifts.
Musical Traits & Tips: The winding arpeggios and chromatic turns require good intonation on fiddle.
The Winding Road by Kevin Burke (Track 10), Masters of the Accordion by Joe Burke (Track 3)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Harvest Home, The
(x7), Friendly Visit, The (x7), Brown Coffin, The (x6)
23.
Peacock's Feathers, The
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dminor | ID: 663
History: Composed by the famous Cork fiddle player and composer Sean Ryan.
Why Learn It: One of the few hornpipes written in D minor, giving it a haunting, gorgeous character.
Musical Traits & Tips: Highlight the F-naturals and C-naturals to preserve the minor/modal feel.
The Cork Fiddler by Sean Ryan (Track 6), Celtic Fiddle Festival by Kevin Burke (Track 2)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Peacock's Feather, The
(x65)
24.
Caisleán An Óir
HORNPIPE | KEY: Gdorian | ID: 2170
History: Translated as "The Castle of Gold". Composed by the famous Donegal/Clare fiddle player Junior Crehan.
Why Learn It: A beautiful, rolling modal tune with a distinctively Clare feel.
Musical Traits & Tips: Keep the tempo relaxed and let the rolls sing. Emphasize the long notes.
Junior Crehan's Legacy by Junior Crehan (Track 1), Bobby Casey's Choice by Bobby Casey (Track 8)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Humours Of
Tullycrine, The (x42), Mickey Callaghan's Fancy (x11), Her Lovely Hair Was
Flowing Down Her Back (x7)
Played before: Humours Of Tullycrine, The (x10)
25.
Her Long Dark Hair
Flowing Down Her Back
HORNPIPE | KEY: Dmajor | ID: 1263
History: Composed by the legendary Clare fiddle player Junior Crehan. Inspired by a traditional slow air of the same name.
Why Learn It: A deeply melodic, beautiful hornpipe that is highly popular in modern sessions.
Musical Traits & Tips: Let the melody breathe; do not play it too fast. Use subtle ornamentation.
The Last House in Connacht by Junior Crehan (Track 5), Donegal Fiddle by Tommy Peoples (Track 4)
Common Session Pairings:
Played after: Cameron Highlanders,
The (x6)
Played before: Cuz Teehan's (x19), Caislean An Oir (x7)
4. Summary & Next Steps
Mastering these 25 hornpipes will give you a solid foundation for any session. Whether it's the simple scalar flow of The Boys of Bluehill or the advanced technical challenge of The Golden Eagle, these tunes are the shared vocabulary of traditional musicians around the globe.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the most popular Irish hornpipe?
According to session set list analysis, The Boys of Bluehill is the most common session hornpipe with 603 unique set combinations. The Rights of Man is the most commercially recorded hornpipe in the database with 151 album tracks.
What key is most popular for Irish hornpipes?
The most popular keys/modes for traditional Irish hornpipes are D major (like Boys of Bluehill, Harvest Home, Home Ruler) and G major (like Off to California, Cronin's, Stack of Barley) due to their perfect layout on whistle, flute, and fiddle.
What is the difference between a reel and a hornpipe?
While both are in 4/4 time, reels are played at a fast, even tempo with smooth eighth notes, whereas hornpipes are played at a slower tempo with a distinct 'dotted' or syncopated long-short rhythm, often ending with a characteristic three-beat stamp (triplet).
How should beginners practice learning hornpipes?
Beginners should practice hornpipes slowly to get the syncopated 'swing' or lilt right before speeding up. Pay close attention to triplets and rolls, and use practice checklists to track progress.
Ready to start practicing? Check out these vital tools across the Trad Tune Explorer: