Little Diamond Polka

Polka, D, Traditional Irish
Tune of the Week: February 20, 2022; April 27, 2025

A traditional polka from the Sliabh Luachra region of Ireland.

Recordings

• Audio – Comhaltas: Little Diamond Polka from the album Foinn Seisiún Volume 1, published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
• Video – Déise Sessions: Polkas & Slides: The Little Diamond / The Race Classic / Eibhlin Ni Riordain’s / Kings of Kerry (Live) – from the album Déise Sessions.

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.

• Little Diamond Polka Set: Little Diamond Polka (D) / Murroe Polka (G) / Maids of Ardagh (D)
• Little Diamond Polka / Maggie in the Woods

References and Resources

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

• More Recordings
  • Video – Ian Learns Trad Tunes: Little Diamond Polka/Murroe Polka/Maids of Ardath – played on tenor banjo and mandolin
  • Video – Mossie Martin: Little Diamond & Maggie in the Woods (polkas) – solo violin
• Books
  • Book – Foinn Seisiún, Volume 1 — Published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. 
  • Book – Learn to Play Irish Fiddle, by Tom Morley. Fifty core Irish tunes, presented with sheet music, chords, and a reference CD.
• Lessons
  • Lesson – Marla Fibish (Peghead Nation): Irish Mandolin with Marla Fibish, “The Little Diamond Polka” – video preview of mandolin lesson. (Lesson requires subscription to Peghead Nation.)
  • Lesson – Mossie Martin: The Little Diamond (Polka) – video demonstration, solo fiddle. Played slowly and then faster.
• Additional Resources
  • Web page – The Session: The Little Diamond Polka. Crowdsourced music notation and information.