80 Irish Banjo Tunes

Ademar O’Connor

A 23-time All-Ireland Champion, Ademar O’Connor brings unmatched insight into what makes a winning performance. His deep understanding of ornamentation, rhythm, tune choice, and regional style gives students an authentic model to follow. His playing emphasises clarity, confidence, and precision — the very qualities adjudicators listen for in senior and junior banjo competitions.

Elaine Reilly

Elaine Reilly is widely recognised throughout the traditional Irish music world as a master musician, educator, and stylist. Her playing is known for its elegance, control, and beautifully nuanced ornamentation — qualities that set her apart as one of the most refined banjo players of her generation. Elaine’s decades of teaching experience give her an extraordinary ability to break down phrasing, technique, and tune shaping in a way that young musicians can immediately apply to their own playing. Her sensitivity, finesse, and attention to musical detail make her one of the most sought-after banjo tutors in Ireland today.

Enda Scahill

Enda Scahill is a four-time All-Ireland Champion and the recipient of the prestigious Steve Martin Banjo Prize, one of the highest international honours in banjo performance. Best known for his groundbreaking work with We Banjo 3, Enda has been a leading force in shaping the modern sound of Irish tenor banjo. His innovative approach has introduced several new techniques to the tradition, expanding both the expressive and technical possibilities of the instrument.

Renowned for his flamboyant, highly expressive playing, Enda brings a powerful storytelling quality to every tune. His ornamentation is bold yet precise, rooted in the traditional style but elevated through a distinctive personal flair that has influenced a generation of players. As both a performer and educator, he blends technical mastery with warmth, clarity, and a deep commitment to helping students develop their own musical voice.

Karen Dolan

Karen Dolan is celebrated for her powerful rhythmic drive and her ability to bring out the natural lift and swing of Irish dance music. As both a performer and an educator, she has built a strong reputation for helping young players find confidence, consistency, and individuality in their music. Karen’s teaching style combines warmth with high standards, guiding students to develop strong technique, expressive ornamentation, and rock-solid rhythm — three essential pillars of successful competition performance. Her extensive experience working with youth musicians makes her an invaluable contributor to this course.

This course features 80 reels, jigs, and hornpipes
expertly arranged and performed by some of Ireland’s most accomplished traditional musicians.

Each tune is crafted with clear technique, stylistic accuracy, and competitive performance in mind — giving young banjo players the exact musical tools they need to excel in high-level solo competitions.

Meet The Players

Ademar O'Connor ~ Elaine Reilly
Enda Scahill ~ Karen Dolan

*combined 29 All Ireland Titles

This comprehensive course showcases 80 expertly arranged reels, jigs, and hornpipes, performed by some of Ireland’s most highly respected and accomplished traditional musicians. Each tune has been thoughtfully crafted to highlight the precision, lift, and stylistic nuance required in top-level Irish traditional music.

Every arrangement is built with clarity of technique, stylistic authenticity, and competitive performance standards at its core. Phrasing, ornamentation, rhythm, and lift are demonstrated with exceptional attention to detail, giving young banjo players a clear and reliable blueprint for learning tunes the right way.

Beyond simply teaching melodies, this course provides the exact musical tools demanded in high-level solo competitions—from controlled ornamentation to dynamic variation and polished performance refinement. Students will gain not only a deep repertoire but also the skill, confidence, and artistry needed to stand out on a competition stage.