Miss Monaghan’s Reel

Miss Monaghan’s (often simply called Miss Monaghan) is a quintessential traditional Irish reel that practically radiates joy. If some reels are described as dark, shadowy, or driving, Miss Monaghan’s is the exact opposite—it is bright, uplifting, and sweet, with a lilting melody that makes it an absolute favorite for social dances and casual sessions alike.

The Musical Character

• The Key: The tune is set solidly in D Major (featuring F# and C# as seen in the key signature above). This allows stringed instruments like the fiddle and mandolin to take full advantage of their open strings, giving the tune a resonant, ringing, and highly celebratory lift.

• The Flow: It is a standard 32-bar, two-part reel (AABB). The melody moves with a very natural, step-wise progression rather than wide, awkward leaps. This smooth layout makes it incredibly satisfying to play quickly because it sits beautifully “under the fingers” on almost any traditional melody instrument.

• The Structure: The A-part begins with a distinctive, bright arpeggio that establishes the cheerful D major feel right away. The B-part steps up into the higher register, building a lovely sense of anticipation and energy before cascading back down to a clean, satisfying resolution.

History and Context

Like many classic session tunes, Miss Monaghan’s has been around for well over a century.

• Early Roots: It can be found in seminal historical collections, including Chief Francis O’Neill’s monumental Music of Ireland (published in Chicago in 1903), where it was preserved alongside thousands of tunes carried across the Atlantic by Irish immigrants.

• The Monaghan Name: While the identity of the original “Miss Monaghan” has been lost to time, the tune itself remains an indelible representative of the Ulster musical tradition, though it is played across every county in Ireland today.

• Alternative Titles: You will occasionally run across it in older books or regional playing circles under titles like The Monaghan Reel or The Pretty Girls of Monaghan, though Miss Monaghan’s is the name that has universally stuck in the modern era.

In the Session and the Dance

Because of its steady, unhurried, yet highly energetic rhythm, it is a staple accompaniment for Irish set dancing. In a standard session, it is considered an approachable tune for intermediate learners, yet it offers plenty of space for advanced players to add crisp cuts, double-stops, and rolling variations.

It is a fantastic “utility” tune for medleys. Sessions will frequently pair it with other bright D or G major reels (like The Maid Behind the Bar or The Sally Gardens) to keep a light, driving, and infectious dance rhythm going across a multi-tune set.