Jimmy Ward’s

Jig, G, Traditional Irish
Also known as Jim Ward’s; The Clare
TrailJams Tune of the Week for January 23, 2022; February 11, 2024

Jimmy Ward’s jig is named for Jimmy Ward of County Clare Ireland, 1909-1987. He was a founding member of Kilfenora Céilí Band, and known for his playing of traditional Irish tunes on tenor banjo. This tune is one of at least two traditional Irish jigs that is also know as “The Clare Jig.”

Recordings

• Audio – Comhaltas: Jim Ward’s from the album Foinn Seisiún 1: Traditional Irish Session Tunes, le Ceoltóiri Cultúrlainne
• Video – Aistear Folk: The Humours of Ballyloughlin & Jimmy Ward’s Jigs. Played on tin whistle, button accordion, tenor banjo, and guitar. (Jimmy Ward’s starts at time 2:20.)
• Video – Caitríona Lagan: Jim Ward’s Jig. Played on tenor banjo by 14 year old Caitríona Lagan.

Sheet Music

As always for traditional tunes, the musical notation and chords do not indicate the “right” way to play the tune, but are a useful reference.

Sets

Examples of sets that include this tune.

• Ballyloughlin – Jimmy Ward Jig Set: The Humours of Ballyloughlin (D Mixolydian) / Jimmy Ward’s (G)
• Blarney Pilgrim Jig Set: The Blarney Pilgrim / Jimmy Ward’s / Gander in the Pratie Hole
• Jimmy Ward’s / Morrison’s
• Old Hag You Have Killed Me / I Buried My Wife and Danced on her Grave / Jimmy Ward’s Jig
• The Trip to Athlone / The Lilting Banshee / Jimmy Ward’s Jig
• Jimmy Ward’s / Out on the Ocean
• Wallop the Spot / Jimmy Ward’s / Gander in the Pratie Hole

References and Resources

For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.

• More Recordings
  • Video – Shane Farrell: Jimmy Ward’s Jig. Played on tenor banjo.
  • Audio – Floating Crowbar: Wallop the Spot​/​Jimmy Wards​/​Gander in the Pratie Hole. From the album Two Nights in December by Floating Crowbar (Spokane, Washington, USA).
  • Audio – Cady Finlayson: Blarney Pilgrim​/​Ward’s. From the album Irish Coffee.
  • Video – Dónal Lunny and Paddy Glackin – Jimmy Ward’s jig. Dónal Lunny (Bouzouki) and Paddy Glackin (Fiddle)
• Books
  • Book – Learn to Play Irish Fiddle, by Tom Morley
  • Book – Irish Music 400 Traditional Tunes, by Stephen Ducke
• Lessons
  • Lesson – MandoLessons: Jimmy Ward’s Baron Collins-Hill teaches the tune on mandolin. With video, audio tracks, and sheet music.
  • Lesson – James Cleveland: Jim Ward’s Jig. Fiddle lesson.
  • Lesson – Shannon Heaton: Jimmy Ward’s Jig. Demonstration of tune played on flute, broken down for learning by ear.
• Additional Resources
  • Article – Wikipedia: Jimmy Ward (banjo player) A very brief article with links to interesting references.
  • Web page – The Session: Jimmy Ward’s Jig. Crowdsourced sheet music and information.