The Connaughtman's Rambles

Connaught is the western of Ireland's old provinces. The jig turns up in several 19th century manuscripts under other names: Cork cleric and piper James Goodman wrote it down as "The Lads of the Town," Dublin collector Henry Hudson as "The Hag in the Hay" around 1841, and Leitrim piper Stephen Grier entered it under the usual title around 1883.

Francis O'Neill recorded Chicago musicians playing it on wax cylinders between 1902 and 1904, the oldest known recording of the tune. The A part sits in D and the B part in B minor. It is now one of the most played jigs in Irish sessions, and contra dancers and English rapper sword teams use it too.