The title theme for Miller's Crossing sounds like it is adapted from
an original Irish folk melody. One day on Radio na Gaeltachta (Irish
language radio) I heard a fleeting piece of music that seemed to be
that original. However, I never found out the name/title/composer(?).
What was the original called and where can I hear it?

oirishry --

Thanks for an especially interesting question.

There is no precise definition of a musical "adaptation," and the use
of traditional material in new compositions is a common practice in
every musical genre.  Some "adaptations" are virtually note-by-note
copies and some are only remotely related to their source material.  
I believe that the case you have presented is somewhere in between but
that the link between the Miller's Crossing title theme and a
folk-tune antecedent is virtually unmistakable.

I am convinced, based on strong evidence, that the title theme from
Miller's Crossing is adapted from a traditional Irish tune usually
called "Lament for Limerick" or "Limerick's Lament."

A transcription of "Lament for Limerick" can be found at the following
link:
McDermott's Handy: Caoineadh Luimnigh (Lament for Limerick) 
http://www.hslc.org/~gormley/tunes/limerick.htmlx

A one-minute sample of the tune, as played by The Chieftains, can be
found here:
The Awareness Shop: The Chieftains: The Celtic Harp
http://www.awarenessshop.com/OnLineStore/Music/Chieftains/CelticHarp/thecelticharpbyt.html

A 30-second sample of the Miller's Crossing title theme can be found
here:
Amazon.com: Miller's Crossing
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000014RV/002-6126080-7143267?vi=glance

A reviewer of the Miller's Crossing soundtrack recording had the
following to say about the title theme on Amazon.com:
"Yes, we all know that it's also been used in a beer ad, but [co-star]
Gabriel Byrne himself told me at the 2001 Florida Film Fest in Orlando
that it's actually a beloved and traditional Irish standard titled
"Limerick's Lament" and that he actually had a lot of influence on the
Coen's and Burwell's eventual changing of the soundtrack to an Irish
flavor."
Amazon.com:Miller's Crossing:Customer Reviews
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0000014RV/002-6126080-7143267?vi=glance

Although an unverified statement from one reviewer, while apparently
from a knowledgeable source, may not be enough to make the case, a
comparison of the pieces convincingly supports the proposition that
the Miller's Crossing theme constitutes an "adaptation" of this
traditional Irish tune.

I followed the above lead and compared a sample of the Miller's
Crossing title theme (also found at the Amazon.com link provided
above) with the transcription of "Lament for Limerick."  Based on many
years of musical training and performance experience, I am convinced
that the similarities between the two pieces are sufficient to justify
the conclusion that the movie theme has been modeled on this
traditional tune.

The most obvious similarity is between the last half of the 30-second
sample and the melody comprising the second line of the transcription
linked above.  The rhythm of this excerpt is very distinctive (e.g.,
sixteenth notes on the beat, followed by dotted eighth notes).  The
Miller's Crossing theme and the Lament for Limerick are virtually
identical in their rendering of both the melody and rhythm of this
material.

While this alone convinces me that the term "adaptation" is
appropriate here, there are other clear similarities between the
pieces, including the general shapes of their melodies and the overall
use of dotted rhythm.

The All Music Guide lists 16 recordings of "Lament for Limerick"
(under several titles):
All Music Guide: Lament for Limerick
http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll

I am not an expert in Irish folk music and its performers, but these
recordings by The Chieftains and Gordon Bok should be of high quality:
Amazon.com: The Chieftains: The Celtic Harp
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000003FE5/qid=1042463812/sr=1-13/ref=sr_1_13/002-6126080-7143267?v=glance&s=music

Amazon.com: Gordon Bok: Return to the Land 
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000001ZYI/qid=1042463922/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2/002-6126080-7143267?v=glance&s=music


Google Search Terms:

"Miller's Crossing" theme music
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22miller%27s+crossing%22+theme+music

"Lament for Limerick" OR "Limerick's Lament"
://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&q=%22Lament+for+Limerick%22+OR+Limerick%27s+Lament%22

I enjoyed working on this question.  I hope you are completely
satisfied with the answer.  If any of the information needs
clarification or if any of the links don't work, please let me know.


markj-ga

Wow! Well done and thanks very much..