O’NEILL, Capt. Francis. O’Neill’s Music of Ireland. Eighteen Hundred and Fifty Melodies. Airs, Jigs, Reels, Hornpipes, Long Dances, Marches, etc. Many of which are now published for the first time. Collected from all available sources.

Arranged by James O’Neill. Chicago, Lyon & Healy, 1903. First edition. Quarto. pp. 366. Modern green buckram, title in gilt on purple morocco label on spine. Neat circular library stamps. A good copy.
Undoubtedly O’Neill’s collection of Irish music is the standard work which has stood the test of time and which is likely to remain the bible of musicians for years to come. For centuries, the native music had been handed down from generation to generation by ear. It was a method which had its limitations as tunes were either lost or distorted. Fortunately for us, Capt. Francis O’Neill of the Chicago Police did more than anybody else to save our music for posterity.

[CAT 164]