This hornpipe was composed for my father Tom Keville who passed away in 2003. He loved and appreciated the music and although he did not play himself, his eyes would always light up when he heard a good tune. ‘The wind that shakes the Barley’ was one of his favourites, which is not surprising as he was a farmer and a man of nature so this was something he would see out in the fields. He also liked to whistle and dance around the kitchen, usually whisking my mother around with him, when he heard nice music on the radio. Above all, he really loved slow airs, and this is something we all appreciate at home.

Tom’s Delight was recorded on the album An Trí is a Rian with John Weir and Eithne Ní Dhonaile. Geraldine Cotter is accompanying on piano on this track from the CD.