Sadly, Grainne passed away on November 16, 2014 - just days before reaching her 15th birthday.

She was actually born on the 22nd - St Cecilia's Day, patron Saint of Music and Musicians - so her unique spirit will still live on in this, her music.

Otherwise, the programme note below will remain unaltered.

Grainne is, in fact, a lovely soft-coated Irish Wheaten Terrier, who lives with my dear friends, Peter and Roberta, in Bramstedt, a small hamlet south of Bremen, Germany.

Grainne na Dun na nGal, or simply Grainne for short, exhibits all the characteristics of this particular branch of the terrier breed, but also has a unique personality - a lovable, affectionate nature blended with the mischievous fun of the Leprechaun or Little People - a true ’Princess’, then! Hopefully this Air & Jig will conjure up a picture ’in sound’. You could always check out the ’real McCoy’, by calling by, or simply by visiting Grainne’s own website. And, of course, you’ll be able to hear the Jig whilst you’re there, and enjoy all her news and pictures, too - especially the latest adventures of the Wheaten Wagtime Band!

Just to give the piece a little authentic flavour, you might notice a couple of Irish ’tunes’ thrown in for good measure! The Tin Whistle would probably be best solo instrument but, failing that, a descant recorder, or flute for which I’ve added a suitably transposed part.
The first performance was given at the Composers’ Lunchtime Recital in April, 2003, at Plymouth City Museum, with flautist, Anne Kimber.

The new picture shows pin-up star, Grainne, on the front of a prestigious German Dog Magazine of July 2006 - once a star, always a star, it seems!