Polka, D, Traditional Irish
Also known as: Maid of Ardath; Toormore No. 2
TrailJams Tune of the Week: February 13, 2022; April 20, 2025
A lively Irish polka. There are at least nine places in Ireland that are named “Ardagh,” leaving room to ponder just which maids the tune’s title is appreciating. In the Irish language, “Ardagh” means “high field.”
Recordings
- Audio – Comhaltas: Maid of Ardath from the album Foinn Seisiún Volume 1, published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
- Audio – Stephen Ducke: The Maids of Ardagh (Polka) – played on tin whistle. From the book Irish Music 400 Traditional Tunes, by Stephen Ducke.
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.
Play-Along Tracks
Sets
Examples of sets that include this tune.
- Little Diamond Polka Set: Little Diamond Polka (D) / Murroe Polka (G) / Maids of Ardagh (D)
- The Maids of Ardagh / Tuarmore / Many’s a Wild Night
- Little Diamond / The Tournemore Polka / The Maids of Ardagh
References and Resources
For those who want to dig deeper, here are some other resources.
- More Recordings
- Video – Brian Hughes: Polkas, The Maids of Ardagh / Tuarmore / Many’s a Wild Night – from the album The Beat of the Breath by Brian Hughes with Seán McElwain and Donnchadh Gough. Played on tin whistle.
- Books
- Book & Audio – Irish Music 400 Traditional Tunes, by Stephen Ducke with accompanying audio tracks.
- Book – Foinn Seisiún, Volume 1 — Published by Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann
- Book & Audio – Grey Larsen: Essential Guide to Irish Flute and Tin Whistle (also available from the author’s website)
- Lessons
- Video – Ian Learns Trad Tunes: Little Diamond Polka/Murroe Polka/Maids of Ardath – played on tenor banjo and mandolin.
- Lesson — Online Academy of Irish Music: The Maids Of Ardagh taught on button accordion.
- Additional Resources
- Web page – The Session: The Maids Of Ardagh – crowdsourced sheet music, comments, and more.
- Web page – Irishtune.info: Maid of Ardagh – archival information about the tune, curated by Alan Ng