The Horan Collection was sourced from Mrs. Katie Horan (nee O'Brien). It can be dated at least from 5 June 1942 to 22 March 1949. As with the O'Connor Collection it contains the information on how to read the tablature and ornament the tunes in terms of rolls and Pádraig's notion of "trills".
Copies of manuscripts originally owned by Mickey Duggan a former pupil of Pádraig O’Keeffe. Some of the original manuscripts are in Pádraig O’Keeffe's music tablature system. The tune ‘Sean Ryan's wonder hornpipe’ is written in staff notation.
Copies of a set of manuscripts originally written by Pádraig O’Keeffe for his pupil Jerry McCarthy. Jerry played frequently with O'Keeffe before emigrating to New York where he spent some time working with Denis Murphy in the New York Zoo along with Rory O'Connor a whistle player from Doolin.
Fair copy transcriptions made of Padraig O’Keeffe’s music tablature by Caoimhín Mac Aoidh. The McAuliffe Collection was sourced from Nicky McAuliffe by Máire O'Keeffe who passed them on to Mac Aoidh. These manuscripts were not photocopied but were transcribed directly off the originals. Given his interest and abilities on the fiddle they were offered to Nicky McAuliffe by local past pupils of Padraig's. It can be dated at least from January 14th, 1951 to December 23rd, 1951.
Copies of 16 different miscellaneous Pádraig O’Keeffe manuscripts which were given to Caoimhín Mac Aoidh by various people over the years. Three of the manuscripts are dated, the earliest is from April 1941 and the latest dates from October 1953. Some of the tunes were written on the inside of open cigarette packets etc. The collection is made up of 16 manuscripts in total and contains the greatest number of melodeon tablature tunes in Caoimhín Mac Aoidh's Pádraig O’Keeffe Collection.
Original certificates for various nominations and awards received by The Chieftains. Includes Grammy certificates awarded by The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences to The Chieftains for the following nominations: the ‘Best ethnic or traditional folk recording, The grey fox album (1983); ‘Best traditional folk recording, Celtic wedding album (1987); ‘Best country instrumental performance ‘Cotton-eyed Joe’ (track from Another country ) (1992); ‘Best pop instrumental performance, ‘Tahitian skies’ (track from Another country )’ (1992); ‘Best country vocal collaboration ‘Killybegs’ (track from Another country )’ (1992); ‘Best traditional folk album, An Irish evening live at the Grand Opera House, Belfast ’ (1992); ‘Best contemporary folk album, Another country ’ (1992); ‘Best contemporary folk album, The long black veil (1995); ‘Best pop collaboration with vocals ‘Have I told you lately that I love you?’ (1995); ‘Best pop instrumental performance ‘An gaoth aneas’ (1997); ‘Best pop collaboration with vocals ‘Shenandoah’ (with Van Morrison) (1998); ‘Best traditional folk album Long journey home ’ (1998); ‘Best country instrumental performance ‘Sally Goodin’ (with Earl Scruggs)’ (2002); ‘Best contemporary folk album Down the old plank road ’ (2002).
Original and photocopied newspaper clippings, letters and typescripts relating to Derek Bell’s solo & collaborative recordings. Includes review of album Carolan’s receipt (7 Jul 1976); a photocopied handwritten track list for [ Carolan’s favourite ] [1979]; various reviews of Carolan’s favourite ; a letter from Charles [Guard], Isle of Man to Derek Bell with information about Manx tunes and songs for a possible recording [1981]; typescript of ‘possible questions for Mel’s radio/TV interview with Derek [Bell] and Swami [James Donald Walters]’ the interview is to promote the album Mystic harp [1996]; review in German, French and English of Dussek an album by Derek Bell (harp) and Joanna Leach (piano) (7 Nov 2000); review in Italian and English of Sri Kryiananda (James Donald Walters) and Derek Bell’s album Mystic harp 2 (24 Nov 2002).
Original and photocopied typescripts, programmes and newspaper clippings, and two original letters. Includes various drafts of the programme notes for ‘Symphony No. 2 in D ( The violet flame-Comte de St. Germain ) for harp obligato and large orchestra, with piano, organ and wordless choir, Derek F. Bell’. Bell concludes the discussion about the symphony in his notes as follows ‘I hope it can be easily and quickly understood by the average concert goer for it is a reactionary work and it is not an esoteric piece for the avant-garde music-specialist, but for everyone.’ [1990]; copy of programme for the première of the symphony, performed by ‘The Colchester Chamber Orchestra, (in association with Eastern Arts), Promenade concert, sponsored by Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society at St Botolph’s Church, Colchester [Essex, England]. Leader: Beth Spendlove, Soloist: Derek Bell, Conductor: Christopher Phelps’ (7 May 1990); programmes of other performances of The violet flame by the Northern Ireland Symphony (10 Aug 1991) and (10 Nov 1991); reviews of the composition and its performance in various newspapers including the Glasgow herald (15 Aug 1991), the Sunday press (10 Nov 1991), the Gaelic daily , Los Angeles, [California, United States of America] (27 Nov 1991).
Original and photocopied typescripts, letters, reviews and programmes. Includes an analysis of Divertissement (A day in the life of “Paddy the Kerryman” ) for flute, oboe, clarinet, horn, bassoon and piano by Derek Bell. In the analysis Bell tells us that ‘the main tune, a reel, was kindly contributed by Dr Paddy Moloney, founder of The Chieftains’ (June 1997); letters from Ian Crowther, Crowthers of Canterbury, Woodwind and Brass Specialists, Canterbury, Kent, England to Derek Bell about the première of Divertissement which will be performed at the ‘Canterbury Festival concert on Friday 24 October’ (6 Aug 1997). A subsequent letter from Crowther encloses a ‘copy of the tape of the concert … and also a review’ (5 Nov 1997); programme of the première of Divertissement performed by the Crowther Wind Quintet (24 Oct 1997); and review of the composition in the Kentish gazette (30 Oct 1997).
Original letters, fax and draft programme. Includes letters from Margaret McKee, Producer, World Service, BBC, London, England to Derek Bell. Bell has been asked to ‘compose the harp accompaniment’ to a series of stories and legends which she has sent to him on cassettes. The series is called ‘ The Celts ’, one of the stories is that of ‘Donn Bo - the head that even when it is severed from the body continues to live, to smile and even to make music!’ (1 Nov 1984); a faxed commissioning contract from Anne Dhu Shapiro, Boston College Music Department (the commissioner) to Derek Bell (the composer). The contract outlines the financial arrangements, the deadline for completion of commission and the ownership of the composition. ‘Apart from the commissioner’s right to give the first performance of the commissioned work, all other rights in the composition remain the property of the composer’ (22 Nov 1991); also includes a draft programme for the performance by Derek Bell and the Boston College Chamber Orchestra of the commissioned work Three pictures from Ancient Ireland in druid times (1991).
