Source: Francis O’Neill in Waifs and Strays.¹

Swinford piper James O’Brien (1823-1885) was a source of many tunes for O’Neill:

‘From personal knowledge the present writer can testify that “Jimmy” O’Brien was a fascinating performer on the old-style soft-toned Union pipes. We have listened to others who excelled him in execution and versatility, but no one had the faculty which he possessed of producing combinations and turns by a dextrous movement of the bottom of the chanter on his knee […] Many a pleasant hour the present writer spent listening to “Jimmy’s” delightful music and memorizing his tunes, many of which were not in circulation until given publicity through our efforts.’²

It is interesting to note that O’Neill credits himself as the source also for the original three-part version found in Music of Ireland memorized from O’Brien’s playing.

1. Francis O’Neill (ed.), Waifs and Strays of Gaelic Melody, 2nd. ed, Chicago, Lyon & Healy, c1922. #196, p108.
2. Capt. Francis O’Neill, Irish Minstrels and Musicians, Chicago, Regan Printing House, 1913, p234. The full section can be read here.