Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
A baroque / folk guitar friend of mine recently asked me about Arthur Darley after having learnt the "Swedish jig" off of Arty McGlynn.
As far as I know he composed the swedish jig, may have composed the four mile stone, and came from either Kerry or Dublin to live in Donegal. Does anyone know more than what the www can tell me about this guy, what else did he write, what was his instrument and do people like his tunes?
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
The liner notes to a John Doherty album I have says Darley was from Dublin and lived in Donegal. It is unknown if Arthur Darley actually wrote "Arthur Darley's" aka "Swedish Jig" either way a great tune. Supposedly he did write some other tune - the "Donegal Jig" I think.
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
I've seen reference to Darley as one of the founders of the Feis Ceoil Association and an ardent promoter of the music. Also ran across these dates - b. 1873, d. 1929.
Just emailed my brother who is an early music musicologist in Oxford. He has had a quick browse through the "JSTOR" journal database and come up with the following:
"Arthur Darley was a violinist who died at the age of 56 (1873-1929). He also played viola and collected Irish folk song. He was director of the Dublin Metropolitan School of Music, president of the Irish Musical Fund for the assistance of musicians in times of need and a member of the Council of the Academy of Christian Art. He was one of the founders and promoters of the Feis Ceoil and the Feis Ceoil collection of Irish Airs was largely possible through his work.
He was a popular man who endeared himself wherever he went especially in the poor community. Indeed, as he was lying waiting for his funeral there was a spontaneous gathering of pipers outside his house and they played him to his grave through the rain and sleet!"
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
Didn't he also play guitar? Am I going mad or did he not used to provide guitar backing to Delia Murphy? Did I read somewhere that he was in fact married to Delia Murphy?
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
I found this on this release detail on the web:
"If I were a blackbird
Josef Locke with Jimmy Campbell and his orchestra
(Delia Murphy/ Arthur Darley) Box & Cox Publications Ltd
Released November 1950 - CA21563"
....and there are some track mp3s around featuring Delia Murphy with "Dr. Arthur Darley".... such as her singing the spinning wheel. However these are all dated 1950ish (after the Arthur Darley of our concern was dead).
Then I found this:
"Here Dr. Arthur Darley, whose father had made a great collection of traditional Irish airs, came to the rescue - wherever an air was lacking for a song, he fitted one from his father's collect.ion. For this book, (name deleted to protect the guilty) has done something similar - where we have been unable to find the traditional air for a song, he has tried to find one which will fit it."
Could it be that the father of this "Dr. Arthur Darley" was also Arthur Darley. It certainly sounds like it. It also says on this same web page that T.J. Kiernan was Delia's husband.
So your guitar man could well be the son of Arthur Darley who shares his father's name.
Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
A baroque / folk guitar friend of mine recently asked me about Arthur Darley after having learnt the "Swedish jig" off of Arty McGlynn.
As far as I know he composed the swedish jig, may have composed the four mile stone, and came from either Kerry or Dublin to live in Donegal. Does anyone know more than what the www can tell me about this guy, what else did he write, what was his instrument and do people like his tunes?
# Posted on April 14th 2004 by Jamie
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
The liner notes to a John Doherty album I have says Darley was from Dublin and lived in Donegal. It is unknown if Arthur Darley actually wrote "Arthur Darley's" aka "Swedish Jig" either way a great tune. Supposedly he did write some other tune - the "Donegal Jig" I think.
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Test
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
I've seen reference to Darley as one of the founders of the Feis Ceoil Association and an ardent promoter of the music. Also ran across these dates - b. 1873, d. 1929.
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Will Harmon
Musicologists are good for something!!
Just emailed my brother who is an early music musicologist in Oxford. He has had a quick browse through the "JSTOR" journal database and come up with the following:
"Arthur Darley was a violinist who died at the age of 56 (1873-1929). He also played viola and collected Irish folk song. He was director of the Dublin Metropolitan School of Music, president of the Irish Musical Fund for the assistance of musicians in times of need and a member of the Council of the Academy of Christian Art. He was one of the founders and promoters of the Feis Ceoil and the Feis Ceoil collection of Irish Airs was largely possible through his work.
He was a popular man who endeared himself wherever he went especially in the poor community. Indeed, as he was lying waiting for his funeral there was a spontaneous gathering of pipers outside his house and they played him to his grave through the rain and sleet!"
I will press him for more re: the tunes etc
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Jamie
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
Didn't he also play guitar? Am I going mad or did he not used to provide guitar backing to Delia Murphy? Did I read somewhere that he was in fact married to Delia Murphy?
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by Aidan Crossey
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
Was he not a pal of Dennis Waterman?
Sorry, don't mind me. 
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by John J.
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
no he played with the Furies
# Posted on April 15th 2004 by mackers
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
I found this on this release detail on the web:
"If I were a blackbird
Josef Locke with Jimmy Campbell and his orchestra
(Delia Murphy/ Arthur Darley) Box & Cox Publications Ltd
Released November 1950 - CA21563"
....and there are some track mp3s around featuring Delia Murphy with "Dr. Arthur Darley".... such as her singing the spinning wheel. However these are all dated 1950ish (after the Arthur Darley of our concern was dead).
Then I found this:
"Here Dr. Arthur Darley, whose father had made a great collection of traditional Irish airs, came to the rescue - wherever an air was lacking for a song, he fitted one from his father's collect.ion. For this book, (name deleted to protect the guilty) has done something similar - where we have been unable to find the traditional air for a song, he has tried to find one which will fit it."
http://members.tripod.com/songbook1/bookintro.html
Could it be that the father of this "Dr. Arthur Darley" was also Arthur Darley. It certainly sounds like it. It also says on this same web page that T.J. Kiernan was Delia's husband.
So your guitar man could well be the son of Arthur Darley who shares his father's name.
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Jamie
Re: Who, when, where and what manner of man was Arthur Darley
Jamie ... that was the website where I read all that stuff and back out it came, half-remembered and part-baked! Thanks!
# Posted on April 16th 2004 by Aidan Crossey