Reel, G, Traditional Irish
Also known as: Swinging on the Gate

Swinging on a Gate is a cheerful Irish reel that is popular for sessions and dance. From its traditional Irish settings, it has found its way into the contra dance and American old-time repertoires.
Recordings
- Audio – Comhaltas: Swinging On The Gate – from the album Foinn Seisiún Volume 2
- Audio – MandoLessons (Baron Collins-Hill): Swinging On A Gate (Fast): Mandolin & Guitar – for the full lesson that includes this track see the References and Resources section below.
- Video – ejdodson: Swinging on a Gate/Spoodiskerry/Temperance Reel/East Neuk of Fife – played on fiddle, with bodhran
Dots (Music Notation)
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.

Play from the Dots
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- Devanney’s Goat Reel Set: Devaney’s Goat (D) / Galway Rambler (G) / Swinging on a Gate (G)
- Ships are Sailing Reel Set: Ships are Sailing (E Dorian) / The Longford Collector (G) / Swinging on a Gate (G)
- The Torn Jacket (D) / Swinging on a Gate (G) / The Silver Speer (D)
- The Merry Blacksmith / Cooley’s / Swinging On A Gate
- Swinging on a Gate / The Longford Collector
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- More Recordings
- Audio – Barn Owls: Texas Gals / Swinging on a Gate / It Don’t Mean a Thing (If it Ain’t Got That Swing) – played on fiddle and whistle, with rhythm backing. From the album Barn Owls Live. “Swinging on a Gate” starts at time 2:22 on this recording.
- Video – Shane Farrell: Swinging on the Gate Reel Irish Tenor Banjo Music
- Audio – Stuart Mason & John Weed: Swinging on the Gate – played slowly on fiddle with guitar backing. From the album Slow & Easy Volume 2.
- Audio – Jeff Norman: Swingin’ on a Gate – clawhammer banjo and fiddle. From the album Stripey Cat (Jeff Norman; Molly McBride; Chris Scales).
- Books
- Lessons
- Lesson – MandoLessons (Baron Collins-Hill): Swinging On A Gate – mandolin lesson with video, play-along tracks and sheet music.
- Other Resources
- Webpage – The Session: Swinging On The Gate (Reel) – crowdsourced sheet music, comments and more.
- Webpage – The Irish Traditional Music Tune Index: Tune ID#1868 (Swinging on a Gate) – tune information, including links to recordings and other resources.